Recover with a Dead Sea Salt Bath Soak: Sports Recovery and Sore Muscle Relief
Posted by The Salt Box on 31st May 2018
Dead Sea salt has long been praised for having a wide range of benefits for our bodies. No, we can’t eat it, but that doesn’t matter. These wonderful little grains can do more work outside the body than anything that we eat ever could.
The salt has been lauded for its use in beautification. We also know that it is a wonderful way to pamper your feet. But did you know that a long soak in a Dead Seas salt bath is a great way to recover after sports and exercise too?
If you're a fitness freak or simply suffer from sore muscles after a long day at work, a soak in Dead Sea salts is a very effective way to relax and recover.
What Is In Dead Sea Salt That Makes It So Special?
Dead Sea salt is, of course, salt that has been harvested from the vast, rich waters of the Dead Sea, one of the world's saltiest bodies of water, which is located in between Jordan, Israel and Palestine.
Why is it called the Dead Sea? It’s because the water is very buoyant due to its extremely high mineral content, meaning that objects simply float on top of it rather than sinking. However, the mineral content of the Dead Sea is very different from that of normal ocean water, and that means the salt that you get from the Dead Sea is very different too.
What Minerals In Dead Sea Salt Benefit Your Muscles?
Most oceanic sea salts are around 85% sodium chloride (the main constituent of table salt), while Dead Sea salt is only around 30.5%. The rest is made up of naturally-occurring minerals that have a range of benefits for our bodies, including our muscles.
Magnesium - Dead Sea salt is made up of about 30 to 35 percent magnesium chloride. Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays an important role in over 300 biochemical functions in the body. It is required by most of our cells and is especially important to cells in our muscles, particularly after exercise. Magnesium prevents muscles from cramping and spasming, replenishes red blood cells that have been drained during exertion, and reduces inflammation - all factors that help to relax the muscles and speed up recovery.
Sodium - Being a salt, Dead Sea salt obviously contains sodium, which is also an important mineral for muscle recovery. Sodium is an essential electrolyte that is required for the absorption and transportation of nutrients, balancing water levels, blood pressure, the transmission of nerve signals, and maintenance of plasma concentration.
Potassium - Potassium is another essential mineral for muscles recovery. It is also an electrolyte, and it’s important for rehydration, heart function, controlling muscle contractions, and restoring pH balance.
Calcium - Calcium is yet another important mineral for muscles. Magnesium helps muscles to release, while calcium helps them to contract, so the two need to be balanced to ensure optimal muscle recovery. Calcium also activates a molecule called calpain-3 which kicks into action the day after exercise to help repair muscle tissues.
Sulfates - Dead Sea salt also contains traces of sulfur, which helps synthesise proteins (very important for muscle recovery), support cartilage and connective tissues, transport electrons and convert carbohydrates into energy.
How To Use Dead Sea Salt For Muscle Recovery
It’s a great idea to have a bag of Dead Sea salt on hand to use after you workout, play sports, or if you just want to relax and unwind after a gruelling day at work.
Dissolve up to two cups of Dead Sea salt in warm bathwater, stirring to distribute evenly. Once dissolved, soak in it for at least 20 minutes.
Pro-tip: Keep the salt handy and while you are soaking, rub some fresh grains into your skin in smooth circular motions to remove dead skin cells and other impurities.
We think there is no better way to revive sore muscles than Dead Sea salts. Ours are 100%, completely unrefined, offering you a simple and easy way to recover at home.