Pedialyte vs Gatorade – Which Drink Is Better?

Pedialyte vs. Gatorade: What’s The Difference?

Introduction

Pedialyte

It is an electrolyte and carbohydrate combination that works by replacing carbohydrates and electrolytes in the human body to prevent dehydration.

The product was initially designed to help combat dehydration in children because it  “meets the requirements of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition to help prevent dehydration.”

Furthermore, this product also works if you are an amateur or professional athlete since it can help to quickly replace water and minerals lost during physical activity as well as due to extreme heat.

Ingredients

The main ingredients include – artificial and natural flavor, potassium citrate, dextrose, water, citric acid, acesulfame potassium, salt, sodium citrate, zinc gluconate, sucralose, and Yellow 6.

Health Benefits

Prevents Dehydration

It helps treat or prevent the loss of too much body water, especially during physical exercise. Having the correct amount of minerals and fluids is vital for the healthy functioning of the body.

Also, the sugars contained in this product can help both adults and children reabsorb water along with depleted electrolytes, therefore, it aids in rehydration.

Many pediatricians recommend it for children who have a stomach virus (an inflammatory problem in the gastrointestinal tract) or a condition that causes repeated vomiting to replenish lost minerals.

The recommended dose for children with this condition:

• under age 2 – 1/2 cup of this product after each bout of diarrhea;
• over age 2 – 1 cup of this product after each bout of diarrhea.

Important Note

If a nursing baby gets an intestinal virus, the mother should continue nursing, even more often and for shorter periods of time.

One of many important traits of breastfeeding is that there is no better method to make a sick child feel better than by keeping him at your breast. Moreover, due to the fact that breastmilk is rapidly digested, even if the child vomits or stools immediately after nursing, the child will still have retained some of the essential nutrients.

Therefore, breastfeeding should be the first choice if the sick child can take anything by mouth.

Good For Hangovers

Alcohol is a known diuretic, which actually means that it makes you produce more urine.

This is why you have to go to the bathroom so much when you consume alcoholic beverages, but, it also means you are at a higher risk of getting dehydrated.

For adults with hangovers, this product is beneficial, particularly if vomiting and related stomach problems have occurred.

Interestingly, this product has become a popular drink for many individuals suffering from hangovers, with more than fifty percent of its sales coming from adults.

Note – while this product can drastically help in rehydration following a long night out, it is not a miracle remedy for a hangover.

How can you take it?

This product is sold in a powdered form, a liquid form, or even in icy pole form.

• Freezer pops – it is designed for toddlers and older children. Stored in the freezer, this Pedialyte solution is useful during the summer to combat dehydration. It may temporarily discolor the mouth after eating.
• Powdered form – mix the powder with water as directed and stir until dissolved.
• Liquid form – this product should not be diluted or mixed with water. Just shake the bottle before each dose. The liquid form comes in fruit-flavored and unflavored varieties.

When you take it, follow all directions from the packaging or your healthcare provider’s advice (especially when used by children). If you are not sure about any of the information, consult your healthcare professional prior to use.

Side Effects

Some people experience vomiting, migraines, or mild nausea. These side effects can be considerably decreased by taking this product in small amounts with a spoon. However, if any of these side effects persist, contact your healthcare professional as soon as possible.

Gatorade

It is a sports drink designed to combat dehydration better than water by packing in sodium and potassium, which are both electrolytes.

It is currently produced by PepsiCo, an American multinational corporation with headquarters in New York, USA.

This drink was first conceived in 1965, when Dwayne Douglas, an assistant coach football from the University of Florida, became concerned about little urination amongst many members of the team.

The research conducted then resulted in this popular sports drink.

Ingredients

It contains electrolytes that are required by the human body, like – sodium and potassium, plus, some amount of carbohydrates.

This drink might be a better option for professional athletes working in strenuous conditions, such as – running up and down the football field on a daily basis.

In 2016, it made headlines by releasing G Organic, the first certified organic sports beverage, that apparently took more than two years to formulate.

For a product to be certified organic by the United States Department of Agriculture, no artificial ingredients can be used. This product lists seven ingredients (down from 11) and includes – water, citric acid, organic cane sugar, organic natural flavor, sodium citrate, sea salt, and potassium chloride.

Side Effects

This drink has a high sugar content which can make it detrimental to overall health (if you don’t exercise or don’t have a diet high in fiber).

For instance, each 20-ounce bottle contains about 34 grams of sugar, which is 2.5 times the amount in a half a cup of ice cream.

Pedialyte vs Gatorade – Which Is The Better Drink For Hydration Of Your Sick Child?

32 ounces of Gatorade has approximately 420 milligrams of sodium, 240 calories, and 140 milligrams of potassium.

On the other hand, in just 32 ounces, Pedialyte has around 1,035 milligrams of sodium, 100 calories, and 780 milligrams of potassium.

Pedialyte does not contain sucrose (uses the synthetic acesulfame potassium and sweeteners sucralose), because this type of sugar has the potential to make diarrhea worse, hence, increasing the risk of dehydration.

In conclusion, while Gatorade may be great for rehydrating you when you are running marathons, during a daily 60-minute workout, it is best to refuel your body with water and fresh fruits and vegetables.

Pedialyte is best for toddlers who need to rehydrate and replenish lost electrolytes, especially if their mother doesn’t have breastmilk anymore or they are refusing fresh fruits and vegetables.

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What About Coconut Water?

Coconut water has been shown to be as beneficial as most sports drinks, plus, it even has some extra health benefits including:

• contains cytokinins, anti-aging compounds;
• doesn’t contain any added  sugars or chemicals;
• contains naturally occurring minerals and electrolytes, like phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium;
• has about 12 times the potassium in most sports drinks;
• contains dietary fiber.

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