Is Gatorade good for you when you are sick? | Livestrong.com (2024)

Gatorade can help with rehydration.

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Is it a good idea to drink Gatorade when you are sick? The sports drink Gatorade is a non-carbonated solution formulated to replenish sugar, electrolytes and fluid lost during vigorous physical activity. Although the mechanism is different, fluid and electrolyte loss also occurs when you are ill, which can contribute to feeling unwell. If you are otherwise healthy, drinking electrolytes when you are sick, including Gatorade, can help with rehydration, electrolyte replacement and energy in the short term.

The digestive fluid in your stomach and intestines contains high concentrations of electrolytes, especially sodium, potassium and chloride. If you have a stomach virus with vomiting, diarrhea, or both, you may lose a large amount of fluid and electrolytes in a short period of time.

According toBrown University Health Servicesyou lose sodium, potassium and glucose when you vomit – and it's important to replenish these. The site says you should avoid caffeinated drinks or anything acidic, such as orange juice, to prevent further stomach irritation. Instead, take small sips of water until you feel better; then look for drinks with electrolytes when you are sick. Gatorade contains sodium, potassium and chloride, so drinking Gatorade when you're sick can replace the electrolytes you've lost through vomiting or diarrhea.

Be sure to look for drinks with electrolytes when you are sick, including Gatorade for fever. A low-grade fever due to a cold, sore throat or other mild respiratory illness is unlikely to cause dehydration if you can eat and drink normally. But according toMayo ClinicFever can contribute to dehydration. And the higher your fever, yesthe more dehydrated you can become. The risk of dehydration increases even more if you have vomiting or diarrhea in addition to fever. Drinking Gatorade for fever can help compensate for fluid loss.

If you have a severe fever that doesn't go away with over-the-counter medications, it's best to see a doctor instead of treating yourself at home.

According toHarvard Health PublishersLiquids high in sugar – such as Gatorade – can actually worsen diarrhea in children and infants. That's why the site recommends giving moderately ill children a drink of diluted apple juice to replace lost fluids instead of Gatorade. However, in severe dehydration or in sick children, extra care and oral rehydration electrolyte solutions such as Pedialyte may be warranted.

As for whether Gatorade is generally safe for kids, experts say there's nothing dangerous about the drink, but plain water is fine for rehydrating kids after activities. ThatAmerican Academy of Pediatrics(AAP) says children rarely need to drink sports drinks like Gatorade. “For most children participating in routine physical activities, plain water is best,” says Holly J. Benjamin, MD, FAAP, executive committee member of the AAP Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness. “Sports drinks contain extra calories that children don't need and can contribute to obesity and tooth decay.”