Remember when I told you about Electro-Mix? One of my objections to most popular sports drinks is that they contain many artificial coloring, flavorings, and chemicals.
Well, now I have good reason to have been wary of those chemicals. A recent LA Times story reveals that one popular brand (in fact, they practically invented the whole concept of a sports-drink!) has included brominated vegetable oil. Doesn’t sound too bad, until you find out that brominated vegetable oil is a synthetic chemical that “has been patented in Europe as a flame retardant.” Yuck!
The chemical is banned in Japan and the European Union. Studies on mice have shown “reproductive and behavioral problems” in animals that have consumed large doses of the chemical. This chemical “could be building up in human tissues.” This additive is used in other popular sports and soft drinks as well.
This chemical is an emulsifier to distribute the coloring in the drink. The Times article announced that after an online petition with more than 200,000 signatures was sent to the producer of the sports drink, the company will no longer put this chemical in its product.
Now it is going to add another unpronouncable chemical as an emulsifier: sucrose acetate isobutyrate. And how long will it be before this chemical is found to have negative side effects, too?
Avoiding chemicals has always been a goal of the Natural Foods movement. It seems that we regularly get news that ingredients in commercial products are not as safe as the manufacturers have claimed.
So instead of using those chemical-laden products, here are two more to try.
Vega Sport has a Electrolyte Hydrator that is similar to Alacer’s Electro-Mix. It is dairy, gluten and soy free, replenishes electrolytes and minerals.
Vega Sport’s products are 100% plant based as well, with no artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners. The packets are so convenient to tuck into a pocket or pack and easy to add to your water for instant electrolyte replacement!
And of course, for many years Lassen’s has carried Recharge, a natural hydration drink, made by the R.W. Knudsen Juice company. All natural, Recharge is made without added sugar or artificial colors or flavors.
Recharge comes in 6 flavors, including Organic Lemon.
Lassen’s carries thousands of products that have no artificial colorings, flavorings, or additives.
Here’s to happy and healthy hydration!
Love,
Lassen’s