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People usually drink Pedialyte to rehydrate themselves, especially after heavy loss of fluid in situations such as diarrhea or heavy sweating. However, can you drink Pedialyte every day?
It might not be wise to drink Pedialyte every day. Although it is a simple rehydration drink, it still contains sugar. You are more likely to develop weight gain, dental decay, and health issues if you drink Pedialyte every day than if you just drink plain water.
This article will discuss Pedialyte and whether it is a good idea for you to consume it every day. We will also answer some questions about Pedialyte that you might be asking.
What Is Pedialyte Good For?
Pedialyte is an oral rehydration drink, available over-the-counter (OTC). Pedialyte is suitable for people of all ages, including infants, adults, and elderly individuals. It aims to correct electrolyte imbalances brought on by a loss of fluids in the body.
Pedialyte’s precise electrolyte and sugar ratio help replenish fluid levels and nutrients lost through sweat, urination, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Pedialyte works better to treat mild to severe dehydration than water, which lacks electrolytes.
Pedialyte also works better to replenish your fluid levels than sodas, juices, or sports drinks. These beverages frequently include excessive sugar and insufficient sodium (salt) levels, which may not help you rehydrate well.
Children and adults alike can use any Pedialyte product. You may also find Pedialyte being offered in formats such as freeze pops to appeal to children.
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These ingredients are found inside a Pedialyte drink:
- Water
- Dextrose
- Yellow 6 Salt Citric acid
- Sucralose
- Salt citrate
- Gluconate zinc
- Citrate of potassium
- Potassium acesulfame
- Natural and synthetic flavors
As a result, doctors tend to prescribe their patients Pedialyte after a bout with diarrhea or fever, as these conditions tend to result in loss of bodily fluid.
Athletes or those that work outdoors also drink Pedialyte regularly to ensure they keep themselves hydrated during heavy physical activity or exposure to the sun.
Pedialyte also has flavors, which may be more interesting to drink to many people than plain water, which is tasteless and dull to some.
When drinking Pedialyte, it is always recommended to not mix it with other liquids such as water, juice, milk, or formula unless specifically advised by a medical practitioner.
This is because mixing may alter the delicate ratio between electrolytes to sugar, lessening the effectiveness of Pedialyte.
Can You Drink Pedialyte Instead Of Water?
Technically, you can drink Pedialyte instead of water, but not every time. This is because Pedialyte contains colorings and sugar that may result in long-term health problems if consumed in place of water.
When you look at the functions and the effects that Pedialyte brings, it seems that it works similarly to water to rehydrate and support our body.
Plus, Pedialyte is way tastier than plain water, which may help some of us to consume more fluids, further improving our hydration.
Therefore, it is not wrong to wonder if we can drink Pedialyte daily instead of water.
However, you may want to rethink the whole idea, as consuming Pedialyte in place of water may not be wise.
Pedialyte contains not just water but additional ingredients that make the water tasty – sugar, colorings, synthetic sweetener (potassium acesulfame), and synthetic flavors.
Pedialyte hides the word ‘sugar’ from the ingredient list by using the word ‘dextrose’ instead. Still, a quick google search is all it takes to know that it is essentially glucose derived from corn.
This means that if you drink Pedialyte in place of water, you will be consuming a large amount of sugar daily. In the medium term, you may look at dental decay or weight gain from the excess sugar.
In the long term, issues such as diabetes may occur since too much long-term sugar may result in insulin resistance.
Long-term consumption of synthetic sweeteners and food colorings may or may not bring health issues, but why take the health risk when you can drink clean, plain water instead?
How Much Pedialyte Should I Drink A Day?
The amount of Pedialyte you should drink daily depends on your physical condition. If you are feeling normal, you may not need any Pedialyte. You may need some if you are doing sports and a lot more if you are suffering from fever or diarrhea. Consult your doctor for the correct dosage.
Pedialyte is designed as a drink that helps with hydration. Depending on your hydration levels, you may need varying levels of Pedialyte to regain the correct hydration level.
Suppose you are feeling well and are just working on your desk indoors. Then you are not in a situation that will cause dehydration, which means you may not need Pedialyte. Drinking plain water will do.
Perhaps you may still treat it as an occasional drink after lunch, like a soda or coffee. Still, there is no need to drink it in excessive quantities.
However, suppose you are engaging in activities that may induce loss of bodily fluids or dehydration. In that case, you can consider consuming some Pedialyte. For example, you are exercising and sweating profusely or working in physical labor jobs under the hot sun.
Some Pedialyte will help to restore the lost fluids, help you to fight dehydration, and allow you to perform at a higher level. It will also prevent you from suffering the effects of dehydration, such as dizziness or weakness.
You may need Pedialyte most when you are suffering from physical ailments that may induce dehydration, for example, fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. Your body is dehydrating and losing a lot of fluids rapidly. Your body may enter a shocked state in such conditions, likely making you feel worse.
Pedialyte will be a quick way to rehydrate yourself since it contains electrolytes and minerals to help your body retain fluids. Plus, the sugar may help provide energy and re-energize you a little. These little sugar may be handy if you have not been eating.
Is Pedialyte Better Than Gatorade?
Pedialyte generally has higher electrolytes and less sugar, while Gatorade has more sugar. This is because they are formulated for different purposes. One is for therapeutic reasons, and the other for performance. They may not be comparable.
Pedialyte is formulated with the purpose of rehydration and supporting physical recovery. As such, it is formulated to have more electrolytes and less sugar.
Gatorade is formulated with the primary purpose of supporting physical performance. It is formulated with a higher amount of sugar, as the body may need a quick energy source after strenuous physical activity.
Therefore you may say that both drinks serve a similar general purpose: rehydration. However, they differ when it comes to the best scenario to consume them. As such, they may not be directly comparable.
Suppose you have been working out in the gym, busting a ton of calories, and sweating bullets. In that case, Gatorade may do better than Pedialyte, as the higher sugar content helps to replenish your energy.
However, suppose you have been suffering from diarrhea and need a quick way to replenish fluids in your body. In that case, Pedialyte may do better than Gatorade since its higher electrolyte and minerals help your body to retain the fluids better.
