Should an adult drink Pedialyte? We asked a nutritionist

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Once developed to treat dehydration in children, Pedialyte has gained popularity among adults. Whether it’s used to combat dehydration after a tough workout, recover from illness, or relieve hangover symptoms, many adults are now turning to Pedialyte as a quick fix for dehydration.

But what is pedialyte and how does it affect the health of adults? Read on to learn about the potential benefits and drawbacks of using Pedialyte as an adult, so you can decide whether it’s the right choice for you or if you should choose another option. electrolyte drink.

What is pedialyte?

Pedialyte is an oral rehydration drink originally developed to treat dehydration caused by nausea and vomiting, especially in children. However, the brand has expanded beyond baby nutrition and now offers products such as sports drinks and immune support options. Unlike many sports drinks or sugary drinks, many varieties of Pedialyte contain less sugar and higher electrolytes.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

There are many different types of pedialyte, including:

• AdvancedCare Plus (33% more electrolytes).
• Sport (contains five essential electrolytes).
• AdvancedCare (with PreActiv prebiotics to improve digestion).
• Immune support
• Classical
• Electrolyte water (with three key electrolytes, no sugar, no colors or artificial flavors).
• Rapid hydration (with optimal balance of glucose and electrolytes).
• Organic (no artificial colors, sweeteners or flavors).
• Half a liter

You can also purchase Pedialyte drink mix, which is a powder that is mixed with water.

Pedialyte Nutrition

Here is the nutritional information Classic pedialyte:

Nutrition (per 12 oz.):
Calories: 45
Thick: 0 g (saturated fat: 0 g)
Sodium: 370 mg
Carbohydrates: 12 g (fiber: 0 g, sugar: 9 g)
Protein: 0 g
Potassium: 280 mg
Chloride: 440 mg
Zinc: 2.8 mg

This Pedialyte drink is low in calories (45 per 12-ounce serving) and contains a blend of sodium, potassium, and chloride electrolytes to support hydration. It provides 16% Daily Value (DV) of sodium, 6% DV of potassium and 19% DV of chloride, plus 9 grams of added sugar to aid the absorption of electrolytes without being too sweet. Also included is zinc, providing 25% of the daily value to support immune function.

Pedialyte Ingredients

Pedialyte contains water, dextrose (a form of glucose, which is a type of sugar), and a mixture of electrolytes, including potassium citrate, sodium chloride (salt), and sodium citrate. Depending on the flavor and type, it may also contain additional vitamins and minerals, preservatives, artificial flavors, colors and sweeteners such as sucralose and acesulfame-K.

For example, Pedialyte Sport berry frozen contains water, dextrose, galactooligosaccharides, salt, potassium citrate, citric acid, natural and artificial flavors, potassium phosphate, magnesium chloride, sodium citrate, sucralose, acesulfame potassium and red 40.

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Benefits of Pedialyte for Adults

There are several benefits of consuming Pedialyte as an adult.

Supports recovery from illness

During illnesses that include bouts of vomiting or diarrhea, it is easy to lose fluid and electrolytes, which can worsen symptoms and delay recovery. Pedialyte may be helpful for adults recovering from a stomach illness or food poisoning, as it can help restore essential minerals such as sodium and potassium, as well as provide fluid to prevent further dehydration.

Although many adults choose to drink sports drinks such as Gatorade when they have stomach problems, high sugar content sports drinks may make diarrhea worse. Pedialyte has less sugar than sports drinks, making it a better choice for treating dehydration caused by vomiting or diarrhea.

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May help relieve hangover symptoms

Taking Pedialyte after a night of drinking may help relieve hangover symptoms by replenishing lost fluids and electrolytes. Alcohol can lead to dehydrationand Pedialyte may help relieve symptoms associated with dehydration, such as headaches, dry mouth, and fatigue.

Supports post-workout recovery

During intense physical activity, the body can lose a significant amount liquids and electrolytes through sweat. Pedialyte offers a quick way to rehydrate and restore electrolyte balance, which can help prevent muscle cramps, fatigue and dizziness that can occur after exercise.

While Classic Pedialyte can be an effective post-workout recovery drink, Pedialyte is also Sport a version specifically designed for post-workout rehydration. The Sport version contains three times the electrolytes and a quarter the sugar of leading sports drinks. It contains five electrolytes—sodium, chloride, potassium, magnesium and phosphate—that promote fluid balance and muscle recovery.

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Potential Disadvantages

While Pedialyte may be a good choice for hydration in some situations, it does have some potential drawbacks.

Excess sodium

Although Pedialyte contains less sugar than many sports drinks, it contains more sodium than drinking plain water and some other hydration options. Regular consumption may contribute to excessive sodium intake, which may not be ideal for people with high blood pressure or those watching their sodium intake.

For reference: American Heart Association recommends consuming no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day. Classic pedialyte contains 370 milligrams of sodium per 12-ounce serving, which is 16% of the daily value. Sodium can add up quickly if you consume multiple servings per day; however, this is generally not a concern when Pedialyte is used as intended, such as for rehydration after illness or intense physical activity.

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Not a replacement for a balanced diet

Pedialyte is intended to combat dehydration rather than provide comprehensive nutritional support. Adults who rely too heavily on Pedialyte for hydration may be missing out on the benefits of water that doesn’t have added sugars or electrolytes. Pedialyte also does not contain protein, so it should not be the only source of human nutrition.

May not be needed if mild dehydration occurs

Adults who experience mild dehydration as a result of daily activities may not need Pedialyte. In such cases, adequate water and a balanced diet may be sufficient to maintain proper hydration and electrolyte balance.

When should adults consider taking Pedialyte?

Adults may consider taking Pedialyte during or after intense physical activity, especially in hot weather, to prevent or treat dehydration.

Pedialyte may also be helpful when you are sick, especially if symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea result in significant fluid loss.

Finally, it can serve as a hangover cure and quickly rehydrate after a night out.

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Alternatives to Pedialyte for Adults

Coconut water is a natural option that provides electrolytes and hydration without artificial ingredients or artificial sweeteners. Coconut water contains about 45 calories, 6 grams of sugar, 60 milligrams of magnesium, 600 milligrams of potassium and 250 milligrams of sodium per one-cup serving.

For those who are looking homemade oral rehydration solutionMix four and a quarter cups of water with a half teaspoon of salt and two tablespoons of sugar to make a simple rehydration drink. Alternatively, mix three-quarters cup of apple juice with three and a quarter cups of water and one-half to three-quarters of a teaspoon of salt. These homemade rehydration drinks can help in a pinch, but may not be as tasty as oral rehydration drinks like Pedialyte due to their salt content.

Final Thoughts

Although Pedialyte was originally developed to treat dehydration in children, it has become popular among adults because it helps restore hydration after intense exercise, illness, and even hangovers. Thanks to its electrolyte-rich formula, it can provide rapid rehydration when needed.

However, it is important to be aware of the sodium content and understand that it is not a substitute for eating a balanced diet and drinking enough water. For mild dehydration, a balanced diet and water may be more appropriate. Coconut water is another good alternative for those looking for a more natural option.

Taking Pedialyte unnecessarily can lead to excessive sodium intake, which may be of concern to people with high blood pressure or kidney problems. For daily hydration, it is best to drink water.