Social media users say making “nature’s Gatorade” is better than the store bought version. The concoction consists of lemon juice, lime juice, coconut water, filtered water, and salt, and supposedly has all the benefits of Gatorade without any of the downsides.

Gatorade and other sports drinks contain electrolytes and other ingredients that replenish your fluids after a vigorous workout. The appeal of nature’s Gatorade is that the ingredients may be a healthier choice for getting those electrolytes.

“The ingredients are natural ways to provide the electrolytes without the added sugar, artificial sweeteners, or food dyes, which can cause inflammation,” Julia Zumpano, RD, a dietitian at Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Human Nutrition, told Verywell.

You may already have most of the ingredients you need for nature’s Gatorade in your kitchen.

Health Benefits of ‘Nature’s Gatorade’

Like regular Gatorade, the main benefit of nature’s Gatorade is that it will help you stay hydrated.

The ingredients provide electrolytes. Coconut water provides potassium, salt provides sodium, and lemon and lime juices provide calcium and phosphorus, Zumpano explained.

“Electrolytes replenish losses when exercising and sweating, [and] you also lose electrolytes through urine,” Zumpano said.

The other major benefit of nature’s Gatorade is that if you regularly drink traditional sports drinks and switch them out for a homemade variety, you’ll likely reduce your sugar and caloric intake, Abigail Collen, MS, RD, CDN, a dietitian at Mount Sinai, told Verywell.

“Gatorade honestly has a lot of sugar, and the homemade one is probably a healthier alternative,” she added.

Other Ways to Enhance ‘Nature’s Gatorade’

Not all nature’s Gatorade is created equal, and some users add various other ingredients for added health benefits.

One option is beetroot powder. “Beets are high in nitric oxide, which improves blood flow,” said Collen. Beetroot also provides antioxidants and has even been linked with anti-tumor activity.

You could also swap table salt for Celtic salt for extra minerals, said Zumpano.

Whatever ingredients you use, nature’s Gatorade won’t taste exactly like what you’re used to. “It will not be as sweet and will taste different,” Zumpano said.

The nutritional profile of the drink also depends on what you include, Zumpano said. For instance, if you add fruit juice for extra sweetness, that “would likely provide similar calories to traditional Gatorade,” she added.

“If you’d like to add a pinch of sweetness, I suggest including fruit juice, agave, pure maple syrup or honey, or liquid stevia,” she added.

What to Consider Before Trying ‘Nature’s Gatorade’

If you’re curious about nature’s Gatorade consider whether or not you really need it, Collen said.

“When you’re exercising more than an hour, you lose a lot of salt through your sweat,” Collen added. “But if you’re not exercising vigorously, you don’t need an electrolyte drink.”

She added that most people in the United States consume too much salt, and this drink could compound that problem.

“If you are someone who doesn’t eat processed foods and doesn’t cook with salt you could benefit from this trend, but in general, I don’t think it’s something people need to seek out,” Collen said.