Pedialyte Vs. Gatorade: Electrolytes, Hangover, Nutrition - Greatist
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Medically reviewed by Kim Rose-Francis RDN, CDCES, LD — Written by Anna Lee Beyer — Updated on September 12, 2024- Electrolytes
- Nutrition
- Illness
- Hangovers
- Exercise
- Babies, Adults, Elderly
Does Gatorade have electrolytes? Both Gatorade and Pedialyte are top rehydration picks, but their electrolyte content varies. Find out which suits you best, whether you’re sick, hungover, or working out.
After a morning of sweating up and down the soccer field, you’ve probably reached for a neon sports drink to refuel. Or after a night of vomiting your guts up, you’ve sipped on a fruity electrolyte drink for revival.
Gatorade or Pedialyte were probably involved in one of these scenarios, but is one actually better than the other?
Pedialyte vs. Gatorade: What’s the difference?
Pedialyte and Gatorade are both designed to rehydrate via fluids and electrolytes, but they’re slightly different despite both fending off dehydration.
Gatorade
- is marketed to athletes
- has more sugar
- is ideal to drink after serious sweating
Pedialyte
- is marketed for recovery from illness (especially for kiddos)
- has more electrolytes
- is ideal to drink after illness
Share on PinterestPedialyte vs. Gatorade: The 411 on hydration and electrolytes
Both Gatorade and Pedialyte contain electrolytes and pretty much work the same way to rehydrate your body and treat dehydration.
Electrolytes include minerals like sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, magnesium, and phosphate. Their job is to:
- balance the water in your body
- balance your pH level
- transport nutrients into cells and take wastes out
- help nerves, muscles, heart, and brain work properly
Dehydration (losing water) from illness, sweating, medications, or liver and kidney problems can disrupt your electrolyte balance. You get electrolytes from food and drinks (probably plenty under normal circumstances), even if you don’t drink a commercial hydration beverage. But these drinks can help give you a boost when you’re really depleted.
Bottom line: They both rehydrate you
Sports drinks and rehydration fluids like Gatorade and Pedialyte are basically a flavored drink containing electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium. Sometimes other minerals and vitamins are tossed in too.
Replacing electrolytes and fluids is especially important if you exercise intensely or have been sick with vomiting and/or diarrhea.
Pedialyte vs. Gatorade: Just the nutrition facts
There are some differences between the beverages sold by Gatorade and Pedialyte. These nutritional variations may impact which beverage you choose.
Here’s a look at the nutrient content of different 12-ounce servings of Pedialyte and Gatorade drinks: