When you or your kids are at risk of dehydration*, you need more than just a refreshment; you need an advanced rehydration solution. Pedialyte® is a scientifically formulated hydration beverage for replenishing lost fluids and electrolytes, helping you rehydrate when your body needs it most.
Why Some Illnesses May Cause Dehydration
Dehydration occurs when fluid losses outweigh fluid consumed. When you’re sick, vomiting and diarrhea are routes for fluid and electrolytes to leave your body – sometimes quickly and in significant quantities. And for children, older adults and people with chronic medical conditions, they are at a higher risk of experiencing dehydration.
To rehydrate, plain water may not be enough. When your body loses electrolytes like sodium and potassium, water alone can’t replace those. So, when you’re mildly to moderately dehydrated, an electrolyte solution is often more effective for rehydration.
“Rehydration isn’t just about replacing water; it’s also about restoring the electrolytes that help your body function,” said John Stutts, pediatric medical director at Abbott.
The Important Role of Electrolytes
Electrolytes are minerals that are electrically charged in the body and play a variety of important roles.
Key electrolytes like sodium, potassium and chloride are crucial to maintaining homeostasis and hydration. Here’s how:
- Sodium, which is part of salt, helps regulate how much fluid the body holds onto and supports normal nerve signaling. Consuming sodium in appropriate amounts helps promote fluid retention, which is especially important when dehydrated.
- Potassium further supports hydration by maintaining fluid balance inside cells. It helps move fluid from the bloodstream into cells, helping cells maintain their structure.
- Chloride works with sodium and potassium to support fluid balance.
During some illnesses, your body can lose significant amounts of electrolytes, especially if you’re experiencing vomiting and diarrhea. And without the proper balance of electrolytes, signs of dehydration* may develop such as headache, dizziness and constipation. Electrolytes are needed to help the body absorb and retain fluids.
This is why water alone may not be enough to help you rehydrate. While water is vital for several of your body’s functions, effective rehydration requires both water and essential electrolytes.
To help manage dehydration*, consider Pedialyte® for rehydration support.
“When fever, vomiting or diarrhea strike, your body loses electrolytes at a much faster rate,” Stutts said. “Pedialyte® is formulated to replace those losses in the right balance, helping people rehydrate more effectively.”
Oral rehydration beverages are formulated to provide a balance of water, electrolytes and glucose to support hydration. That rehydration isn’t accidental; it’s driven by how certain nutrients work together inside the gut.
How Sodium and Glucose Work Together to Drive Absorption
Sodium and glucose work together in the small intestine to support hydration through a transporter called the sodium-glucose co-transporter (SGLT1). When consumed together, they activate this transport pathway, pulling water along with them and allowing the body to rehydrate more efficiently. This process helps the body absorb and retain fluids when hydration needs are higher.
