pre workout drink

PRE-WORKOUT DRINKS

The best way to ensure that you have a good workout session is to prep for it properly. And the best way to do that is by taking a good pre-workout drink. Before, bodybuilders used to drink a cup of coffee instead of pre-workout drinks.

Wikipedia defines a pre-workout supplement as a bodybuilding supplement. It contains ingredients that can give a sudden boost of energy. These supplements are available over the counter. They’re used by many athletes to help aid in performance and recovery.

Pre-workout supplements can come in different forms like tablets, capsules and powders. But the easiest way to consume it is as a drink.

What are the benefits of a pre-workout drink?

A pre-workout drink is purported to have many benefits. Some of them are that a pre-workout drink can

1. Improve the work capacity by giving a large amount of energy.
2. Get more fluid into muscles so they have a greater appearance.
3. Boost adrenaline to break fat cells down faster.
4. Enhance the blood flow during exercising.
5. Boost power allowing you to work out for longer.

Now, it is natural for some of you to not put that much account into manufactured pre-workout drinks. But there are different options out there for natural, healthy workout drinks. These are natural energy boosters drunk 30-60 minutes before the workout sessions. Wondering what they are? Here are the 13 best natural pre-workout drinks that you can drink every day.

1. Beetroot juice

Beets are rich in nutrients, fibre and vitamin C. They are also very low in calories. The dietary nitrates present in beets can enhance athletic performance. They can increase oxygen use by up to 20%. Blend the beetroot with lime juice and Himalayan salt to make it tastier and healthier.

Reference: 1

1. Chia Berry juice

Chia seeds blended with berries make for a healthy drink! Chia seeds are full of important nutrients. They contain omega-3 fatty acids, fibre, iron, and calcium. They are also rich in antioxidants, and they provide fibre, iron, and calcium. Berries like strawberries, blueberries are also rich in antioxidants. Mix berries with mint leaves and chia seeds to make the juice even tastier.

References: 2, 3

1. Green Tea

Green Tea has long been proclaimed to have many health benefits. These include enabling weight loss and boosting metabolism. Green tea is filled with antioxidants. These actively reduce the fat formation in the body and burns fat. More than that green tea also blocks the formation of new fat cells. It is also said to disable the working of fat genes owing to their catechin levels.

Reference: 4

1. Coconut Water

Coconut and coconut water is one of the healthiest food items out there. Coconut contains healthy fats. Coconut water is a natural electrolyte. It helps to balance the electrolyte concentration in the body.

Reference: 5

1. Orange and grape juice

Orange and grapes are blended and mixed with lime juice. Orange and lime provide Vitamin C, whereas grapes are filled with natural sugars. Add a pinch of roasted cumin seed powder for an extra kick.

References: 6

1. Pomegranate juice

The pomegranate seeds are rich in antioxidants, fibres and water content. They also have a very low calorie content. It is also good for improving the red blood cells and haemoglobin levels in the blood! Mixing a bit of passionfruit also into it makes for a good pre-workout drink.

Reference: 8

1. Grapefruit pre-workout drink

Gapefruits are good sources of electrolytes and natural sugars. They’re light as a drink so it is good to be had before a workout. Lime and grapefruit blended, with a dash of honey and black salt is the perfect combination.

Reference: 9

1. Apple Cider drink

Apple cider vinegar has only 3 calories per tablespoon. Other than acetic acid, it contains compounds like potassium, amino acids and antioxidants. Apple cider vinegar with a little ginger juice helps balance the internal pH levels too.

Reference: 10

1. Banana smoothie

Bananas contain phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and a ton of other nutrients. Bananas can be had in any form to get health benefits. It can be eaten as a fruit, made into pancakes or even a smoothie. Mixing ingredients like lettuce into this makes it a perfect pre-workout drink.

Reference: 11

1. Carrot juice

We have all heard that carrots are good for the eyes. Not only that, they’re great to increase our fibre intake too. Carrots are a low-calorie food. It contains beta carotene, carbs and about 1.5 grams of fibre in it. Carrots blended into a juice with a dash of lime and Himalayan salt is the best drink to be had an hour before your workout session.

Reference: 12

1. Peach and hemp seed mixed drink

Stone fruits like peaches have a low glycemic index (GI) and caloric value. They are also rich in vitamins and minerals, like vitamins C and A.

Hemp Seeds are commonly used as an ingredient in salads. Hemp or flaxseed oil contains alpha-linolenic acids in huge amounts. It is a type of omega 3 fatty acid which is extremely healthy for the body. It boosts metabolism, supports fat-burning and helps in weight loss.

Mix chopped peaches with ground hemp seeds with lime and black salt to make a wonderful pre-workout drink.

Reference: 13

1. Coffee

As we all might know, coffee contains caffeine. Caffeine or not, this drink boosts energy like nothing else. A lesser-known benefit of drinking coffee is the way it helps to burn fat. A recent study stipulates that people who drank caffeine before a gym session were able to burn almost twice the amount of fat compared to the people who didn’t drink coffee. It increases the rate of metabolism up to 13%, which is quite impressive!

Reference: 15, 16

1. Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb with many health benefits associated with it. It can also be used as a great pre-workout drink because it is great for suppressing stress. Apart from that, it also works to increase muscle mass and endurance.

Reference: 17, 18

These are some of the many natural substances that can be made into a pre-workout drink. All these can help to boost energy and endurance during workouts. So go mix your favourite drink and start working out! Stay healthy!