Greater Than vs. Pedialyte
Some Drinks Are More Hydrating Than Others
Sometimes, however, staying hydrated is easier said than done. You may wonder: Are certain drinks more effective than others at raising your hydration levels? The answer is yes! In fact, what you choose to drink can make a world of difference when it comes to hydration.
Water is a classic example of a hydrating beverage. Pure water contains no sugar, additives, or chemicals to detract from its pure hydrating effects. However, plain water is much more hydrating than sodas or other sugary drinks. This is partly because the digestion of sugar requires water, which means sugary drinks can dehydrate you even more.
Hydration Drinks Help You Make The Most of Water
Hydration drinks are made with water and added electrolytes. They’re designed to help your body take in fluids quickly and effectively. Electrolytes are vital to this ability as they are naturally-occurring minerals like magnesium, sodium, and potassium.
When electrolytes are present, your cells can absorb and use that water more efficiently. This makes electrolyte drinks a great way to enhance your hydration.
Who Benefits From Hydration Drinks?
Hydration drinks are often called sports drinks or rehydration drinks because athletes often use them to replenish the water lost during physical activity. Sweating and physical exertion is certainly a major cause of dehydration. The salt lost through sweat can deplete your electrolyte stores, making electrolyte-fortified hydration drinks a great option.
However, athletes are not the only people who stand to benefit from hydration drinks. Pregnant and nursing women must double their water intake to support their baby and produce breast milk. The high demands on the body from pregnancy and lactation can cause dehydration very quickly, and this condition can be dangerous for mom and baby alike.
Thus, hydration drinks can be a great pre-and postnatal tool for moms.
If you’ve been feeling ill, you likely need to drink extra fluids, and hydration drinks can be a great choice. But even without a specific cause, many adults find themselves dehydrated on a regular basis.
Some sources suggest that as many as 75% of Americans do not drink enough fluids. Common signs of dehydration can be uncomfortable in the short term and dangerous in the long term. So adding hydration drinks to your diet can be a great way to help reduce dehydration.
Pedialyte: Formulated Rehydration Solution
Pedialyte is a rehydration drink that was originally marketed exclusively to hospitals and intended for use by children. However, its high electrolyte content made it very popular, and Pedialyte is used today by adults and children alike.
Pedialyte consists of a water base sweetened with dextrose, a form of glucose. It is also fortified with electrolytes, and the flavored versions contain artificial flavors and dyes.
Benefits of Pedialyte
Medical-Grade Hydration
Pedialyte’s history as a beverage used principally to rehydrate individuals who have suffered from a dehydrating illness makes its formula very efficient for rehydration. Pedialyte contains a specific balance of electrolytes added in strategic ratios to ensure maximum hydration benefit.
Raise Blood Sugar Quickly
In cases of illness or fasting, a person with symptoms of dehydration may also suffer from low blood sugar due to a long period of not eating. The symptoms of low blood sugar include shaking, sweating, irritability, and dizziness. Pedialyte is a good option for raising blood sugar because of the sugar used to sweeten it, called dextrose.
Dextrose is a form of glucose that is quickly and efficiently taken into the bloodstream and metabolized by the body. This makes Pedialyte a good option for calorie replacement and a blood sugar boost for those who need it.
Pedialyte: Considerations
Sugar Content
Pedialyte contains an optimal balance of sugar and electrolyte for fast rehydration. The same sugar content that makes Pedialyte electrolyte solutions so good for those ill or fasting makes it inadvisable to consume Pedialyte products in high volumes. High blood sugar can be just as dangerous as low blood sugar, and in the long run, consuming excess glucose can lead to weight gain and even worsen type two diabetes.
For this reason, you should not replace all of the water you drink with Pedialyte.
Artificial Flavors and Additives
The ingredients in Pedialyte are relatively simple and unflavored, but the flavored versions of the drink do contain artificial flavors and colors. This makes Pedialyte more synthetic than more natural electrolyte beverages.
For those extra conscious of what they put in their body – like nursing moms and pregnant women – a synthetic beverage might not be ideal.
Greater Than: Natural Electrolyte Drink
Greater Than is one example of an all-natural, no-sugar-added hydration drink. It consists of a coconut water base flavored with fruit juices and is vegan, organic, and non-GMO. The delicious and authentic flavors of Greater Than come from natural fruits, and the drink is packed with electrolytes from all-natural coconut water.
Benefits of Greater Than Electrolyte Drinks
No Added Sugar
Many hydration drinks are sweetened artificially with table sugar, also known as sucrose. What makes Greater Than unique is its naturally delicious flavor. It is the product of natural fruit sugars, processed differently in the body than their added counterparts.
One sugar found in fruit is called fructose. Unlike glucose or dextrose, fructose is metabolized in the liver and used to produce glycogen for long-term energy stores. While too much sugar intake is not ideal, fructose is an excellent option for natural sweetness.
Fructose is also beneficial because of its low glycemic index, which won’t raise blood sugar (or blood glucose). This makes fructose preferable to glucose for individuals who are mindful of their sugar intake and blood sugar, making fruit sugars less likely to exacerbate or contribute to type 2 diabetes.
Natural Flavors
Often, hydration drinks are flavored with chemical-based, artificial flavors. Greater Than, conversely, is flavored with authentic fruit juices and is 32% fruit juice. This contributes to unparalleled flavor and makes Greater Than an excellent choice for individuals looking to eliminate chemical additives from their diet.
Go Natural For Feel-Good Hydration
Ultimately, Greater Than and Pedialyte can be effective rehydration beverages for adults and children alike. However, they differ in some key aspects: Greater Than is a hydrating beverage that is all-natural, with no added sugar and is safe for frequent consumption. Pedialyte, meanwhile, is an effective hydration drink but contains synthetic additives and may raise blood sugar more than Greater Than.
Being conscious of your hydration levels is a great first step towards wellness. Incorporating a hydration drink into your diet can be a safe way to take a proactive approach to your well-being.
When picking a hydration drink, opt for a natural option like Greater Than to maximize your hydration levels and feel confident about what you’re putting in your body. Our Trial 6-Flavor Variety Pack contains endless benefits for athletes, mothers, and the entire family!
Click here to read some of the reviews from thousands of mothers and families that say no to added sugar and yes to Greater Than.
Sources
The Water in You: Water and the Human Body | US Geological Survey
Fluid and Electrolyte Balance | MedlinePlus
Adult Dehydration | StatPearls