By Brandon McDearis
Finding the right recovery drink can be tricky. While there are many on the market these days to choose from, not all provide anything more than a little electrolyte replacement with a lot of sugar and artificial flavoring. One ingredient that is missing from most of the recovery drinks sold in stores is sodium bicarbonate, otherwise known as baking soda. This alkaline substance, most often used to put out fires and kill odors, has also been shown to counteract the buildup of lactic acid in muscles that have been overtaxed during endurance events. Try this cocktail below after bouts of intense cardio and see if you can tell a difference in your recovery and muscle stiffness.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups water
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons honey or agave
- 2 tablespoons lemon, lime or orange juice
Preparation:
Simply combine all ingredients in a bottle and shake well until mixed.
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Brandon McDearis is a personal chef working in the Charlotte area. He currently owns and operates Your Way Cuisine, www.yourwaycuisine.com. In addition to his culinary training, Brandon also holds a bachelor of science degree in foods and nutrition, with a concentration in dietetics. He primarily focuses on healthy cooking and addressing specific dietary needs of everyone from professional and amateur athletes to busy families and elderly people. Brandon is also one of the board of directors for Wellspring International Outreach (www.wellspring-outreach.org) and works with a group of others to raise money for the abandoned children of Peru.
