Runner Discovers Surprising Benefits of Magnesium Sulfate Bath Salts for Muscle Recovery
An avid runner, the author experimented with magnesium sulfate and epsom salt baths to aid muscle recovery during intense training for a 155-mile (250km) run across Tanzania. The results were surprising.
Magnesium sulfate and epsom salt, found in bath salts, can be absorbed into the body via hair follicles and sweat glands. The author, who normally uses stretching, foam rolling, and a massage gun for recovery, tested bath salts to see if they could help with muscle recovery during their gruelling training.
After using Better You bath flakes and Nathalie Bond salts, the author noticed their legs felt fresher the next day. This made running another 20 miles (35km) less challenging. The enhanced sensory experience, like a comforting smell, also helped relax both mind and body. However, the water temperature seemed to play a bigger role in recovery than the bath salts themselves. While magnesium sulfate and epsom salt can boost magnesium levels if one is low, they have limited capacity to absorb more if levels are already high from a healthy diet. Magnesium aids muscle contraction and relaxation, maintains blood pressure and energy levels, and eases cramps.
The author found that magnesium sulfate and epsom salt baths, combined with a hot bath, can be an effective tool for muscle recovery during intense training. While the water temperature was crucial, the enhanced sensory experience and potential magnesium absorption contributed to a fresher feeling the next day. The author recommends trying this method for those seeking to aid muscle recovery.
