The Morning Drink That Has Fans Praising Its Major Hydration Powers
Move over, rosé. There’s a new pink drink in town.
Sole—pronounced “so-lay,” and not to be confused with the tasty whitefish or patch of skin on the bottom of your foot—is a saturated solution made from water infused with Himalayan pink salt. With a number of purported health benefits (it’s said to help with everything from digestion to sleep deprivation) it’s been a feel-good fixture among the wellness community since the 2005 launch of Water and Salt: The Essence of Life, a veritable sodium bible that features in-depth research about what the briny drink can do for your mind, body, and… soul.
One high-profile proponent: holistic nutritionist Kelly LeVeque, whose famous clients include Jessica Alba and Lauren Conrad, who's a fan of sole as well. "When we sweat and work out we lose minerals (or electrolytes), and sole is a great way to add them back in the body with water," says LeVeque. Proponents say that Himalayan pink salt is packed with minerals and elements (as opposed to table salt, which is mostly sodium chloride)—though some experts point out that the mineral content may not be in amounts that add up to a marked difference in health.In LeVeque's view, Himalayan salt "helps to protect the delicate balance of minerals in your cells, avoid excess water retention, and prevent premature aging." One thing is undeniable: There's growing enthusiasm in the wellness world for Himalayan salt—whether it's piled up on the floor in the newest healthy hangout spots or diluted in water.
In case you needed another way to add more millennial pink to your daily routine, here’s everything you need to know about sole.
What is it, exactly?
Sole is a saturated solution, made from purified water and Himalayan crystal salt. Unlike table salt, Himalayan crystal salt contains 84 minerals. It may not go down as easily as a glass of lemon water, but sipping a glass each morning could do your body good.
Why swig sole?
While the salt solution may not be meant for cheers-ing on a rooftop, this pink drink is said to have some pretty big pluses.
For hydration
The minerals in sole are extremely small, so they can pass easily into your individual cells, turning them immediately into energy. “Sole encourages the body to retain fluids, which keeps it hydrated,” says clinical and holistic nutritionist Stacy Roy. “Drinking copious amounts of plain water can dilute our minerals and electrolytes, causing stress to the body and a lack of true hydration.”
For sleep
Being dehydrated can seriously affect the quality of your sleep, Roy explains, so chugging some of the salty stuff during the day can help you stay more soundly in your REM cycle. Plus, staying hydrated during the day will help keep you from having to get up in the middle of the night to pee.
For skin, hair and nails
“The sulfur, iodine, zinc, chromium, magnesium, potassium, and calcium are incredibly nourishing for skin, hair, and nails,” Roy says. Hello, a.m. glow.
For energy
One of the top causes of that 3 p.m. slump you feel each afternoon is inadequate hydration. Since sole helps with hydration on a cellular level, your all-day energy can actually improve by downing a glass each morning. Plus, says Roy, it helps balance your blood sugar without tempting you to reach for a Snickers bar.
How do you make it?
The basic recipe of salt + water = saltwater applies. Fill your container about one-fourth of the way with Himalayan salt and top with purified water—it's that easy. Let the solution sit for 24 hours so you know it's fully saturated, and then take one teaspoon of the solution and mix it into a glass of water first thing in the morning. Happy, salty sipping!
To make the most out of your sole-ful mornings (no matter how many times you hit the snooze button), go ahead and #treatyoself to the breakfast of your dreams.
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