Honey & Salt: The All-Natural Pre-Workout You Didn't Know You Needed
Felipe Cabral
With the fitness community abuzz about the next big supplement, a new pre-workout regimen has been creating quite the stir.
This time it's not a powder, protein shake, or pill - it's honey and salt.
This unlikely pairing is gaining popularity thanks to its all-natural ingredients and slew of potential benefits. Honey provides a steadier energy boost than sugar due to its unique carb composition. When paired with salt, this creates enhanced hydration and electrolyte balance - crucial factors for peak workout performance.
“Let’s explore why this dynamic duo is worth a try for your next gym session.”
The Science Behind Honey and Salt for Exercise
On their own, honey and salt offer advantages that can aid any exercise routine when combined properly. Here's what the research says so far:
Honey - A 2019 study in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found that honey maintains steady blood glucose levels thanks to its blend of fructose and glucose. This provides a sustainable energy release without the "crash" of other sugars.
Salt - Sodium plays a key role in muscle contraction and energy production. Consuming salt before exercise helps replace electrolytes lost through sweat, enhancing hydration.
Increased Energy and Endurance
The simple carbs in raw honey offer an easily absorbable energy source to help you power through workouts. Honey provides glucose for immediate use as fuel, while fructose maintains steady reserves for later. This gives you an energizing start to your session without the blood sugar spikes and drops of other sugars. The sustained release provides the endurance to take your training to the next level.
Optimal Hydration
Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance hamper performance. Consuming salt before exercising helps your body retain fluid and restores sodium lost through sweat. This helps prevent muscle cramps, fatigue, and dehydration-related declines in strength or speed. Adequate hydration also allows muscles to work efficiently, aids recovery, and boosts stamina.
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Muscle Function and Endurance
In addition to steady energy, honey and salt enhance your workout on a cellular level. Optimal hydration keeps muscles fuller and better lubricated. Sodium helps transmit signals through muscle cells. This combination allows you to lift heavier weights, train longer, and recover quicker between sessions. By supporting strength and endurance, it helps you gain more from each workout.
Natural Sources of Key Nutrients
Honey and salt provide carbohydrates and electrolytes from natural sources. This makes them safer and more bioavailable than processed supplements. Raw honey offers a plethora of B vitamins, amino acids, enzymes, antioxidants, and trace minerals. Sea salt and Himalayan pink salt provide sodium along with potassium, iron, and more. This nourishes your body with essential compounds to support energy, immunity, muscle health, and overall well-being.
The Best Honey and Salt for Exercise
Not all honey and salt are created equal when it comes to athletic performance. That's why we suggest our HNY Raw Honey for maximum benefit:
Go for our raw, unpasteurized honey - This retains natural enzymes, antioxidants, and micronutrients damaged by heat processing. We only offer local honey and the freshest too.
Sea Salt or Himalayan Pink Salt - These provide sodium along with 70+ trace minerals. The pink hue of Himalayan salt comes from iron oxide. Avoid bleached, iodized table salt as the harsh processing strips minerals.
The Perfect Pre-Workout Ratio
Aiming for the right honey-to-salt ratio ensures you gain the full advantages of this combo. Most fitness gurus recommend:
1-2 teaspoons of Raw HNY Honey
1/4 teaspoon of sea salt or Himalayan pink salt
To make it as a drink, stir these into 12-16 oz of water. Alternatively you can also simply combine them as shown on the video below. The electrolytes optimize hydration while honey provides sustained energy release through your workout. Adjust honey intake depending on your fitness goals. For lighter training, lean toward 1 teaspoon. Use 2 teaspoons for hardcore training sessions when you need maximum energy and stamina. Drink your honey salt potion 15-30 minutes pre-workout.
Boosting Benefits with Lemon
Some fitness enthusiasts add lemon juice to their honey salt drink for an extra advantage. The lemon provides vitamin C, an antioxidant that mitigates exercise-induced oxidative damage. The tart taste can also make this mixture more palatable if you aren't keen on the sweet and salty combo. Use 1/2 a lemon squeezed into your drink.
Potential Drawbacks of Honey and Salt Pre-Workout
While research remains limited, a few factors warrant consideration:
Honey may need to be avoided by those with blood sugar issues, like diabetes. Consult your doctor to be safe.
Overdoing salt intake could increase blood pressure in those prone to hypertension. Again, seek advice from your physician.
Pre-workout honey may cause gastrointestinal upset in some people when training intensely. Start with small doses to gauge tolerance.
“The key is moderation - stick within recommended serving sizes and be mindful of your body’s response.”
The Takeaway
Give your body the all-natural fuel it craves by joining the honey salt pre-workout trend. The combination of raw honey for sustained energy plus sea salt for hydration and electrolytes can enhance your exercise performance and recovery. Time it right by drinking your honey salt beverage 15-30 minutes before your workout. Start with 1 teaspoon of honey and 1/4 teaspoon of salt in water to gauge your optimal ratio. The sweetener provides a steady stream of glucose while sodium and minerals support muscle function.
Along with more energy, strength, and endurance, this natural drink helps you avoid processed supplement ingredients. Add lemon if you need an extra antioxidant kick. While more research is still needed, the promise of the honey and salt pre-workout warrants experimentation. Just be mindful of how your body responds and consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
Now that you know the science behind this trend, don't be afraid to give this old-school combo a try. You may just find that a touch of HNY Raw Honey and salt gives your workout the boost you never knew was missing!