Remember Pedialyte? The drink you self-prescribed in college to cure your hangover? Now you’re a full-fledged adult who researches the facts behind what you put in your body, or at least you tell yourself you do. We’re here to play wingman and help you decide if Pedialyte should be a staple in your fridge.
What Is Pedialyte?
Found in the baby aisle of most supermarkets and drugstores, Pedialyte is essentially a medical-grade “sports drink” designed to replace the water, nutrients, and minerals lost during the course of activity. Or illness. Or overindulgence, let’s not forget that.
Many people use it after vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, and/or feeling dehydrated. Originally, the drink was intended for children and infants during "challenging moments of dehydration," but technically, people of all ages can drink Pedialyte.
The drink may help promote digestive health and quickly replaces essential fluids and important minerals such as zinc. It has three times the electrolytes of major sports drinks and is low in added sugar.
Other electrolyte-containing drinks, such as Gatorade and Powerade, don’t provide the same balance of minerals that Pedialyte offers, and those big brand sports drinks are often loaded with sugar.
Can You Drink Pedialyte Every Day?
Just because Pedialyte is good for rehydration doesn’t mean you should drink it all the time. According to experts, you should definitely not replace all the water you drink with Pedialyte. That’s what water is for.
In any case, if you are seriously jonesing, it’s a good idea to check with your doctor first to see what amount of Pedialyte is recommended for your needs.
Can Pedialyte Be Used for Hangovers?
There’s little evidence on how effective Pedialyte is in treating hangovers, however, some experts say Pedialyte has a leg up in getting your body chemistry back in balance after a bender.
Let’s do the math:
· Sodium and potassium regulate the membranes of cells, while chloride binds to each of them.
· Electrolytes match the body's chemistry, so they put the fluid in the right place.
· When you rehydrate, sodium and potassium keep fluid inside your blood vessels.
· Pedialyte helps the sodium and potassium balance by delivering optimal balance of carbohydrates and electrolytes needed to replenish vital fluids.
What Are the Main Ingredients of Classic Pedialyte?
· Potassium-280mg
· Zinc-2.8mg
· Chloride-440mg
· Sodium-360mg
· Carbohydrates-10g
· Sugar-9g
· No artificial sweeteners, dyes, or flavors
What Makes It Taste Sweet?
It should be noted that Pedialyte is sweetened with two things you need to be warned about. And it’s a bit shocking this is recommended for infants!
Sucralose, otherwise known as Splenda, is a popular artificial sweetener. Despite being around since the 1990s, there has not been a ton of human research done on the effects of sucralose. There have been sucralose studies conducted on rats showing damage to gut bacteria. There have also been studies linking sucralose to a higher risk of cancer with the rats. You can read more about sucralose here. Sucralose doesn't sound so great, and given that it is created in a lab...why drink it if you don't have to?
Like sucralose, acesulfame potassium (Ace-K; seriously, read the link) is a calorie-free sweetener used in many diet products, including sugar-free versions of Red Bull, Rockstar, Bang, and Monster. Similar to sucralose, Ace-K has been tested against mice. The research showed that Ace-K has been linked to cancer, thyroid issues, and changes in brain function. (This is for babies?!)
Is Pedialyte Good for Working Out?
Yes, you can consume Pedialyte during a workout. If you are attempting a longer workout, a drink like Pedialyte (we can think of healthier options; see below) can help you replenish the electrolytes you will lose during the exercise.
Packed with 200mg+ of both sodium and potassium, these electrolytes are crucial for post-workout recovery, making Pedialyte a great option after a long workout. Pedialyte® Sport is designed to repair muscles and replace lost electrolytes after hitting the gym by delivering five key electrolytes: sodium, potassium, chlorine, magnesium and phosphate.
Is There a Better Option?
We thought you’d never ask.
Kill Cliff’s line of Energize x Recover beverages have been hailed as an ideal “morning after” drink—morning after a big night, morning after a big run, morning after a big game—because of the 25mg of clean caffeine, no sugar, a bunch of B-vitamins, and the electrolytes your body craves after you do whatever it is you do to deplete it.
Great Taste + Real Science = Kill Cliff
