AQUALYTE TO MAXIMISE WELLBEING

For the recovery from diarrhoea, vomiting, flu, COVID-19, excessive alcohol consumption and when exercising or working for long periods in the heat.

Great Natural Taste

Low Sugar

Highly Effective – it works

Rapid Absorption

Natural Flavours

Fluid and electrolyte drinks are designed to replace the water and electrolytes lost from body fluids in sweat. The same or similar products may be used to replace fluids lost in other ways such as in diarrhoeal illness, excessive alcohol consumption, or when undertaking long-haul flights.

Progressive fluid loss, such as can occur with prolonged sweating or fluid loss from illness such as the gastroenteritis, influenza (flu), COVID-19 and other causes of fever, reduces blood volume which affects blood supply to muscles, the brain and to the skin for regulation of body temperature. Physical performance, judgement and coordination suffer, and fatigue and the risk of heat illness increase.

An electrolyte drink replaces lost electrolytes which assist in retention of water and replenishment of fluid volume. If correctly formulated the drink will be absorbed more rapidly than plain water, and help combat fatigue, while a palatable beverage will encourage the intake of larger volumes than if only water is available.

WHO SHOULD USE AN ELECTROLYTE DRINK?

Electrolytes lost with light or even moderate sweating are easily replenished from a normal diet. Regular food intake, and drinking water with and between meals, is sufficient. In fact the sodium content of electrolyte replacement beverages makes these unsuitable for indiscriminate use, particularly for anyone prone to high blood pressure. The marketing of ‘sports drinks’ for general consumption by relatively sedentary people in temperate climates is irresponsible for this reason.

On the other hand, athletes engaging in prolonged activity like playing golf or distance running may be sweating at rates of 300-400 ml per hour and need to replace fluid at the same rate to avoid dehydration. Sodium is the principal electrolyte lost in sweat and losses may also be considerable and need replacement. Replacement with plain water in this situation is inadequate: plain water is quickly lost in urine, and at worst, body fluids may become dangerously diluted. Consuming an appropriate fluid and electrolyte drink during prolonged sporting events in the heat is much more effective at combating fatigue and preventing dehydration. In addition, as mentioned above, anyone suffering from flu, COVID-19 or gastroenteritis should also use an electrolyte supplement to replace electrolytes that are lost.

The elderly are often prone to drinking mostly tea or coffee and are frequently found to have poor electrolyte balance; a glass or two of an electrolyte drink especially in the summer months can only be a good thing.

WHAT SHOULD AN ELECTROLYTE DRINK CONTAIN?

To prevent dehydration and heat illness the drink should replace body fluid constituents lost in sweat, diarrhoea and vomiting. The most important of these are water, sodium and potassium. Carbohydrates such as sucrose (table sugar) or glucose are added to promote rapid absorption, combat fatigue and enhance palatability. Products differ considerably in the concentration of these main components.

Osmolarity

The osmolarity of a fluid is a measure of the concentration of dissolved particles. All of the ingredients contribute to the osmolarity. Solutions with similar osmolarity to body fluids are termed isotonic (approximately 280 mosmol/L), whereas hypertonic solutions are more concentrated and hypotonic solutions are less concentrated than body fluids.

Hypertonic solutions empty slowly from the stomach and are more likely to cause bloating and gastrointestinal distress, limiting consumption. They are also absorbed more slowly from the intestine, delaying recovery. Isotonic and hypotonic solutions empty rapidly from the stomach into the intestine, where hypotonic solutions are absorbed more rapidly.

Sodium

The amount of sodium in a rehydration beverage is limited by palatability. A mildly salty taste is appealing, especially when one is dehydrated, and will stimulate consumption, however if the sodium content is too high, palatability suffers and less will be consumed. Aqualyte has been formulated to maximise effect in recovery yet retain palatability.

Potassium

Most of the body’s potassium is found inside cells. The potassium content of sweat is very low and readily replaced from the diet. However when recovering from diarrhoea, vomiting, flu and COVID-19, potassium loss occurs and the concentration in Aqualyte will assist with a speedy recovery.

Carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are added to electrolyte drinks for various reasons. The amount of carbohydrate is important as too much slows gastric emptying, raises osmolarity and enhances weight gain.

Glucose, sucrose and other sugars enhance the taste and mask saltiness, improving palatability. Sucrose is sweeter than glucose, and is often the main carbohydrate used, however very sweet drinks, although initially attractive, do not encourage high consumption.

Glucose in combination with sodium is rapidly absorbed from the intestine into the blood stream, promoting uptake of water and enhancing rehydration.

Carbohydrate provides a source of energy, maintaining blood glucose and combating fatigue. This is an additional reason for consuming an electrolyte drink during prolonged exposure to heat or illness. However, high carbohydrate levels as found in many drinks contribute a significant calorie load to the diet, which may be a concern.

Other ingredients

Many electrolyte drinks contain other electrolytes such as magnesium or calcium, or vitamins such as vitamins B and C. This is a marketing tactic and the rationale for adding these is tenuous. Magnesium and calcium are both essential for muscle function but losses in sweat are minimal and are readily replaced from dietary sources. Both these electrolytes are efficiently reabsorbed and reused in the body, so unless diets are deficient there is no benefit in supplementation for the general, healthy population. The same applies for vitamins B and C; unless pregnant, a balanced and varied diet will provide adequate quantities for most people, sometimes in a more usable form than a supplement.