Have you seen that mocktails have been popular lately? Here is one mocktail, called an adrenal cocktail, with so many benefits: it is easy to make and super aesthetic. Does it not look so refreshing?
Adrenal cocktails are a great way to boost your electrolytes and mineral intake with one simple drink, which tastes good, too! And yes, it does not contain any alcohol.
What I put in my adrenal cocktail
- Unsweetened coconut water is a great electrolyte replacement containing magnesium, potassium, sodium, and more. It also is very hydrating. Coconut water also contains antioxidants that protect your cells from free radicals. Free radicals can cause damage to the cell and make it more susceptible to diseases and cancer.
- Orange Juice adds a little more flavor with the benefits of vitamin C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that aids in immune health, collagen production, wound healing, and iron absorption. Vitamin C also helps to protect our body from stress by increasing our resilience to stress.
- Add a tablespoon of magnesium. There is one brand my friend introduced me to, a small business that is Christian-owned. I love supporting brands that I believe in and agree with their values. This brand has a balanced ratio of magnesium, potassium, and sodium in liquid form. When added to the adrenal cocktail, it tastes more like a spritzer. We do not get a ton of magnesium in our diets, so adding this will help boost your levels. Magnesium is known for helping in relaxation, sleep, and reducing stress. Magnesium also affects muscle contractility, so a magnesium deficiency could cause muscle cramps.
- Add a pinch or two of Himalayan salt and stir. Sip away! You’ll like it, and it is so good for your body.
What are your adrenals?
Your adrenal glands sit on top of your kidneys around your mid-back. The adrenal glands produce hormones that affect our blood pressure, stress resilience, immune system, metabolism, and more.
The adrenal cortex is the outer layer of the adrenal gland. It produces steroid hormones like cortisol (glucocorticoid) and aldosterone (mineralocorticoid). Aldosterone controls the ratio of water and salt in the body. Aldosterone significantly affects blood pressure, fluid retention/edema, and fluid balance.
The adrenal medulla is the inner layer of the adrenal gland. It produces stress hormones like norepinephrine (noradrenaline) and epinephrine (adrenaline). These hormones are involved in the sympathetic nervous system response. I went into more detail about this response in a previous post, and I will link it here for your convenience. wonderfullymade-kmk.com
The benefits of an adrenal cocktail
-Electrolytes and minerals: increasing needed minerals and electrolytes like potassium, sodium, magnesium, and phosphorus help to replenish what your body has used. This is why many people drink Gatorade and Powerade. I would argue an adrenal cocktail is a much better trade for either of these electrolyte drinks.
-Hydration: Being effectively hydrated is essential for all body processes. Make sure you are drinking your water and staying hydrated. On average, you can guarantee you drink enough water if you take your body weight in pounds divided by two. Then, drink this amount of water in ounces daily. Drinking extra water when exercising or during hot months is best.
-Antioxidants: Increasing antioxidants help to reduce free radicals in the body that could cause cancer or diseases.
-Magnesium can aid in decreasing muscle cramps and increasing relaxation and quality of sleep.
-Vitamin C helps with iron absorption, collagen production, and wound healing.
- Collagen is great for hair, skin, nails, and bone health. wonderfullymade-kmk.com
- Iron: The body uses iron to produce hemoglobin and myoglobin, which takes oxygen and nutrients to your body tissues. I have a whole blog post dedicated to Iron that you can find here if you are interested. wonderfullymade-kmk.com
Should everyone drink this drink?
This drink is great for most people, but you want to resource good-quality items. Get coconut water that is unsweetened/has no sugar added. Get quality orange juice or squeeze your own so you don’t buy Orange juice with high fructose corn syrup or dyes. You can’t reap the benefits of your adrenal cocktail if made with Sunny D.
Anyone with diabetes must watch how much sugar is in their orange juice. Those with kidney problems will have to watch their potassium intake. But if you cannot find a contraindication to drinking an adrenal cocktail, you should try it.
One of my friends said she makes a nourishing drink to sip while in the bathtub in the evenings. Doesn’t that sound so relaxing? I might have to give that a try.
We are Intentionally Made
Lord, thank you for today. Thank you for this life you have given each of us. Thank you for making our bodies in such a fantastic way. Every process affects another body’s function; there are so many details. You created each and every detail with so much intention. It is fascinating, and you are an amazing Creator. To you all praise, God! Amen.