Which is Better ORS or Cold Drinks!

ORS, or oral rehydration solution, is a drink that is formulated to mimic the body's natural fluid and electrolyte balance. It contains electrolytes such as sodium and potassium and glucose in calculated amount required for body. 
 

It helps replenish lost fluids and electrolytes in the body and help in recovering from the effects of diarrhea, stomach flu, food poisoning, and excessive sweating or fluid loss during sports or heavy workouts. 
 

WHO recommendations for ORS are 75 millimol per liter of sodium and glucose for rehydration, while cold drinks have less amount of sodium which is 1 to 9 .9 millimol per liter and 0 to 0 .3 millimol per liter of potassium and higher levels of glucose approximately 550 millimol per liter which is 7 times the recommended amount. 
 

When we talk about hydration, cold drinks like soda, juice, and carbonated drinks may provide some fluid but they have high amount of sugar which can have harmful impact on the body such as 

• Frequent urination and dehydration due to its diuretic effect. 
• Tooth decay and cavities because sugar is a food source for harmful bacteria in the mouth. 
• Insulin resistance, weight gain, and an increased risk of obesity by interfering with pancreas to release insulin. 

So every time you need an energy drink to rehydrate yourself, go for ORS instead of choosing sugary cold drinks. 
 

Source1:-BMJ-British Medical Journal. (2008, May 28). Flat Carbonated Drinks Not An Effective Alternative To Oral Rehydration Solution, Study Finds. ScienceDaily. Retrieved April 8, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080527084303.htm 
 

Source2:-Freige C, Spry C. Oral Rehydration Solutions versus Drink of Choice in Children with Dehydration: A Review of Clinical Effectiveness [Internet]. Ottawa (ON): Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health; 2020 Mar 2. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562935/ 
 

Disclaimer:-This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment.Do not ignore or delay professional medical advice based on anything you have seen or read on Medwiki.

Find us at:

https://www.instagram.com/medwiki_/?h…

https://twitter.com/medwiki_inc

https://www.facebook.com/medwiki.co.in