Does Gatorade Help Dehydration?
Everyday Health states that Gatorade helps prevent dehydration by providing fluids and helping to restore the body’s electrolyte balance. Gatorade is effective in preventing and treating dehydration in seniors, athletes and those with dehydrating illnesses, such as diarrhea. Gatorade or other sports drinks are recommended for rehydration during lengthy periods of strenuous exercise.
Healthline reports that Gatorade works by replacing electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium, in the body. The body requires ellectrolytes to maintain the right proportion of fluids. Many electrolytes are lost during perspiration. Drinking Gatorade or another sports drink instead of water, especially following intense exercise lasting 60 minutes or longer, hydrates the body better than water. An electrolyte-rich beverage, such as Gatorade, helps the body absorb more fluid.
According to the Mayo Clinic, some of the symptoms of mild to moderate dehydration are a dry mouth, thirst, excessive tiredness, reduced urination, dry skin, headache and lightheadedness. The clinic maintains that Gatorade or other sports drinks are effective in treating mild dehydration in otherwise healthy adults. If symptoms of severe dehydration, such as no urine output, shriveled skin or confusion, develop, it’s important to seek immediate medical care. Dehydration in infants and toddlers, the elderly or those who are very ill requires treatment by medical professionals.
