Using Epsom Salts For Athletes' After-Sports Recovery Is A Must-Do!

Epsom salt – or magnesium sulphate – is supposed to help with sore muscles after a workout and is often used in a bath. The idea is that soaking in the magnesium sulphate bath helps in the muscle recovery process

There are three basic components of a successful training plan: fuelling, running, and recovering. That means what you do off the road and trails is equally as important as what you do when you’re on the move.

One of those off-road tactics that people turn to for R&R: Epsom salt baths. But will soaking in a tub full of salts truly optimize your recovery?
Some runners and fitness experts swear by Epsom salt benefits, which are believed to reduce muscle soreness, inflammation, and swelling. Here, we break down whether the salty soaks really work.

Is Epsom salt good for athletes?
Epsom Salt Baths can actually boost the bodies ability to grow new muscle tissue, and all athletes should be using them as part of their recovery process at least twice a week. As one of the most vital minerals in the body, magnesium makes up most of the chemical compound of Epsom salts

Are Epsom salt baths good for muscle recovery?
Soaking in Epsom salt baths after running or extensive training can help prevent inflammation and irritation in your joints and muscles. You can also use this same warm Epsom salt water solution to treat sprains, strains or sore muscles.

Does Epsom salt repair muscles?
Epsom salts are specifically thought to be a good treatment mainly for muscle pain from over-exertion (delayed-onset muscle soreness), arthritis, myofascial pain syndrome (“trigger points”), fibromyalgia, but also for accelerating healing from minor injuries such as muscle strains and tendinitis.

How does Epsom salt work on muscles?
The idea behind Epsom salt baths is this: dissolve the crystals in warm water, soak your aching part in for a few minutes, and your body will absorb the magnesium through the skin, causing the muscles to relax and reducing inflammation

Why do Epsom salts soothe sore muscles?

When placed in water, Epsom salt breaks down into magnesium and sulphate. The theory is that when you soak in an Epsom salt bath, these minerals get absorbed into your body through the skin. This may help relax muscles, reduce swelling and pain from arthritis, and relieve pain from fibromyalgia and various causes.

Epsom salt contains magnesium and may help the body get rid of toxins responsible for exacerbating inflammation while also reducing swelling, stiffness, and pain.

Should you take an Epsom salt bath before a workout?
A warm bath of Epsom salt before working out will make your body feel much more relaxed, potentially reducing the risk of strains and injuries. This will make hopping onto a treadmill or lifting weights seem that much easier. Sometimes a gym routine can be so intense that the burn can be felt the following day.
Female athletes in particular can benefit from increased magnesium intake. Magnesium and serotonin deficiencies have been found to exacerbate PMS symptoms. Studies show that starting Epsom salt baths as early as two weeks before your period will lead to less pain and significantly fewer negative mood changes frequently associated with menses.

Due to the high physiological demand for magnesium in female athletes increasing the frequency of Epsom salt baths will assist in preventing unpleasant cramping and fatigue which is likely to become more prominent prior to your period.

Magnesium and Mood:
Magnesium functions as a significant co-factor in the conversion of tryptophan, an amino acid, to the neurotransmitter serotonin. Serotonin helps balance mood and promotes relaxation. Excessive intake of alcohol or a poor diet can lead to a magnesium deficiency, which, in turn, can result in low levels of serotonin. Therefore it is no surprise that a common symptom of magnesium deficiency is sadness or a mood imbalance due to a lack of this critical neurotransmitter.

Just three Epsom salt baths a week can have an incredible impact on your health and emotional wellness.