I didn't fully realize that Dan Brooks' Pedialyte recommendation was "tongue in cheek" until I clicked on the readers comments. I found the comments to be more amusing than the article. Looks like we are a divided society even in regards to adult use of Pedialyte!
2
Yikes, binge drinking is for ignorant college students who don't understand how dangerous it is. Protect your beautiful (and only) life -- stop binge drinking! If you can't do it on your own, admit it, and get help, please!
1
"By the time adolescence draws to a close in our late thirties" is the issue here. You stopped being an adolescent about 15 years ago. This article is depressing. Grow up. Not even close to funny.
4
I LOVED LOVED LOVED this piece! Thank you so much for the tip (and there is zero sarcasm in my post).
Re: all of the other posts? Jeez...who knew that the spirit of Carrie Nation was still so prevalent in America? Especially amongst the NYT readers? These comments all reek of schoolmarm-ery and parochialism and this gentleman does not concur. (FYI: I reek - on weekends - of Knob Creek) This article was beyond helpful and please know that at least ONE partier/drinker out there...appreciates the tip.
Only QUESTION (which you did not address...perhaps the lone reader out there who sees my post and doesn't make some inane AA, tsk tsk comment may know?) is how LONG does the steeped Pedialyte + orange concoction LAST? Can I freeze it? Can it stay in the fridge? Does the salinity in the Pedialyte act as a preservative? If someone knows the answer, please advise.
Don't be cowed by these teetotallers...rock on and raise a glass. I'm proud of you for writing this story. For the rest of you? Drink your weak green tea and wag your fingers to your heart's content. You'll be a bitter 98 year old when they throw you in the pine box...
Re: all of the other posts? Jeez...who knew that the spirit of Carrie Nation was still so prevalent in America? Especially amongst the NYT readers? These comments all reek of schoolmarm-ery and parochialism and this gentleman does not concur. (FYI: I reek - on weekends - of Knob Creek) This article was beyond helpful and please know that at least ONE partier/drinker out there...appreciates the tip.
Only QUESTION (which you did not address...perhaps the lone reader out there who sees my post and doesn't make some inane AA, tsk tsk comment may know?) is how LONG does the steeped Pedialyte + orange concoction LAST? Can I freeze it? Can it stay in the fridge? Does the salinity in the Pedialyte act as a preservative? If someone knows the answer, please advise.
Don't be cowed by these teetotallers...rock on and raise a glass. I'm proud of you for writing this story. For the rest of you? Drink your weak green tea and wag your fingers to your heart's content. You'll be a bitter 98 year old when they throw you in the pine box...
7
The letters to the editor about this piece should be interesting. Was it meant to be tongue-in-cheek? If so, the author apparently didn't make that clear enough.
2
I wonder if you have an abnormality with electrolyte processing /metabolism?! ....As long as one generally eats a well-balanced diet, episodes of exercise/sweating and/or drinking alcohol should not be a problem ( i.e. You shouldn't need Pedialyte/Gatorade etc to stay alive. )
2
Check your thesaurus again. 'Binge drinking' is not synonymous with the terms 'social relationships' and 'robust exchange of ideas.' They are, in fact, more or less mutually exclusive.
Should you experience continued confusion about the matter, consult your family doctor.
Should you experience continued confusion about the matter, consult your family doctor.
8
I believe this is what some people refer to as a "joke" in a humorous essay. Lighten up, Francis.
11
Hopefully, this is satire. Good Lord, all that info about how, when & why he vomited. Is anyone supposed to care?
The real kicker is that this guy is 39 years old. Grow up and get some help.
The real kicker is that this guy is 39 years old. Grow up and get some help.
9
Great article. All those snubs who commented negatively about the author or the content of the article for sure sound boring. Too bad they don't go out more often and see what the world is made of.
9
This is a funny whimsical essay. Well done. It also turns out to be a great rorschach-sort of test for the self serious nannies and "progressive" elites who.post to the Times. We all went to elite colleges and have all been indoctrinated into the "alcohol is a drug" world of the residential-life-will-teach-you-how-to-live-and-love world (and no means no, blah blah blah ad nauseum). What people forget is - yes it's a drug - it's the fun one!!! All you mothers against any fun (MAAF), have a drink!
16
Big difference between 'having a drink' and alcohol poisoning. Tongue in cheek or not ( I sure couldn't tell), piece was embarrassing to read. Does he also ask his doctor for recreational viagra?
3
That you would choose an overpriced equivalent to Gatorade as a prelude to overindulge in other things is kind of a clue......
4
Would you all relax? Dan Brooks is having fun with you! This is totally tongue-in-cheek.
All these comments about needing a 12-step program? Just as bad as a friend of mine who ordered an intervention lunch after hearing her daughter had a "dope day" with her friends in the beach.
Chill out.
All these comments about needing a 12-step program? Just as bad as a friend of mine who ordered an intervention lunch after hearing her daughter had a "dope day" with her friends in the beach.
Chill out.
23
Seriously dude, you are using Pedialyte to solve the wrong problem.
17
I get dehydrated very easily and frequently end up with muscle cramps. I don't like sports drinks or Pedialyte. Instead I take a salt tablet (Thermatab) and drink a big glass of water. Works great.
4
One could also stop acting like a fool with the drinking and over-exercising. Save the Pedialyte for the genuine babies.
12
Dan, you have a drinking problem that is depressing to read about rather than funny.
Readers, I recommend Skratch brand all natural electrolyte replacement drinks.
Readers, I recommend Skratch brand all natural electrolyte replacement drinks.
11
The author strikes me as being an alcoholic who won't address his problem
23
So true, depressing and funny
9
Is this an example of stealth marketing? Was promoting the product the point of the piece?
6
What an awful article. Who drinks 10 beers? Who loses 6 pounds in 90 minutes? No one based in reality.
15
I've got a few hints. Before going to bed, drink a glass of water or Pedialyte to fight dehyration while you sleep.
If your vomiting is severe (from drinking or otherwise), stop. Let your insides calm down before you upset them with anything. If your arms and legs go numb, you have arrythmyias, chest (not gastric) pain, or other frightening symptoms, get to the ER. (Not sure? Take your pulse. The beats should be evenly spaced and not a dramatically different rate from what's normal for you. If you can take your blood pressure, it should be near what's normal for you.) Very low potassium, sodium, and/or magnesium can stop your heart. (Don't overdo the Pedialyte. Very high potassium will stop your heart, but it's really hard to do with OTC oral liquids.)
If you can last 30-45 minutes without vomiting, start with ice chips, then sip Pedialyte slowly. You'll want to guzzle several glasses because you're dehydrated, but it's liable to come right back up. Depending on the cause and duration of vomiting, you can bruise your insides, so be gentle. As the liquid stays down, you can drink more. Stay in bed if possible as you may be weak. As you start to feel better, you might become sleepy. Don't fight it. Listen to your body. You might want to stick with broth (chicken soup, miso, etc) for the first meal or two.
If you don't have Pedialyte but do have orange juice, follow a similar path: ice chips, diluted orange juice slowly, then work up to full-strength OJ.
If your vomiting is severe (from drinking or otherwise), stop. Let your insides calm down before you upset them with anything. If your arms and legs go numb, you have arrythmyias, chest (not gastric) pain, or other frightening symptoms, get to the ER. (Not sure? Take your pulse. The beats should be evenly spaced and not a dramatically different rate from what's normal for you. If you can take your blood pressure, it should be near what's normal for you.) Very low potassium, sodium, and/or magnesium can stop your heart. (Don't overdo the Pedialyte. Very high potassium will stop your heart, but it's really hard to do with OTC oral liquids.)
If you can last 30-45 minutes without vomiting, start with ice chips, then sip Pedialyte slowly. You'll want to guzzle several glasses because you're dehydrated, but it's liable to come right back up. Depending on the cause and duration of vomiting, you can bruise your insides, so be gentle. As the liquid stays down, you can drink more. Stay in bed if possible as you may be weak. As you start to feel better, you might become sleepy. Don't fight it. Listen to your body. You might want to stick with broth (chicken soup, miso, etc) for the first meal or two.
If you don't have Pedialyte but do have orange juice, follow a similar path: ice chips, diluted orange juice slowly, then work up to full-strength OJ.
12
Just keep chugging those drinks Danny Boy and you will end up the same way as many of my retired friends - incapacitated by bad knees, backs and hips. Excessive alcohol consumption weakens your bones. And we know you are drinking to excess because you are routinely dehydrated. Your miracle electrolyte drink cannot correct the damage you are doing to your body day in and day out.
9
Many years ago, I ran summer rangeland surveys in a hot corner of Wyoming (there is such a place). Dehydration was a serious concern. There were occasional rehydration disasters, like gulping down an entire 2 liter bottle of soda at the end of the day. Instant diarrhea. Back then, Gatorade would have been OK.
Here in Florida, one virtue of swimming at the beach is ample sodium ingestion. Now for potassium.
Here in Florida, one virtue of swimming at the beach is ample sodium ingestion. Now for potassium.
3
I suppose this is written to be whimsical, but comes across as bizarre. As already mentioned, Pedialyte of course has sugar in it. Sugar has long been known to be crucial in severe dehydration since the gut also actively transports water in using sugar in the gut. It also is conclusive that rehydration liquids don't make hangovers better. I know this was supposed to be just a "funny" article, so criticising the misinformation in it is probably a too serious waster, but the writer fails in just about every way. Hope you are just joking about what seems a pretty serious issue with alcohol.
35
I thought the writer said there was no sugar in the Pedialyte. There were artificial sweeteners. They may have their own set of problems, but he said there was no sugar.
3
Hey, Brooks! Knock off the booze, OK?
35
You knew going into this that you were going to get a lot of criticism for your drinking "problem", didn't you? I appreciate your candor. And your willingness to put yourself out there, no apologies necessary.
20
A recommendation: Read the following, and then ponder why drinking so heavily is so important to you. http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/features/12-health-risks-of...
Overimbibing occasionally is one thing. Planning to do so on a regular basis, for years on end, is quite another.
I hope you'll reconsider your priorities, and get help if you need it in order to stop drinking so much. If AA puts you off, for whatever reason, you have other options. Good luck.
Overimbibing occasionally is one thing. Planning to do so on a regular basis, for years on end, is quite another.
I hope you'll reconsider your priorities, and get help if you need it in order to stop drinking so much. If AA puts you off, for whatever reason, you have other options. Good luck.
18
Don't diagnose people based on a single essay. My chronic vomiting? Pyloric spasms, food allergies, and daily prednisone. The vomiting started before I was a year old and yes, I do remember way before my first birthday.
Drink alcohol or don't, but don't drive if you do. Don't ever hang your morals on others.
Drink alcohol or don't, but don't drive if you do. Don't ever hang your morals on others.
2
Grainne: The essay's author clearly says his vomiting and dehydration are due to excessive alcohol consumption.
There's no need for you to take offense to advice not addressed to you. I wish you better health.
There's no need for you to take offense to advice not addressed to you. I wish you better health.
2
Is this satire? A cry for help? The first step in some thirteen step program? I can no longer tell the difference.
42
I realise NYC is full of media organisations. Perhaps Mr Brooks entered the wrong building by chance, because this seems much more at home at GQ or even Maxim actually.
35
The Letter of Recommendation column is supposed to provide "Celebrations of objects and experiences that have been overlooked or underappreciated." How to prepare to drink 10 beers and vomit or sweat out 6 pounds in 90 minutes is just gross and dangerous. Please don't contribute to glamorizing alcohol abuse.
23
I won't comment on the excess alcohol consumption but as someone who does endurance events and has hyperhydrosis I have learned through trial and error, as well as online research what works best for prehydration, hydration and rehydration regarding exercise. I would suggest that pedialyte is probably not the most effective solution.
7
I must agree with the other commenters who question if there is alcoholism and/or some sort of compulsion disorder in the author. I would be the first to say "To each, his own," but this behavior, at an age when wisdom should be settling in, is immature and destructive ... and quite sad.
15
I'm not a physician, but a nurse.The concerns about alcohol toxicity are valid. I think I would also worry about the effect of this repeated and significant manipulation of fluid and electrolyte balances on the body's regulatory mechanisms - the organs and neuroendocrine feedback loops that keep the body working. Excessive use of gatorade/pedialyte in conjunction with exercise and (perhaps) alcohol use caused one person I know of to suffer complete kidney failure. He was lucky, only on dialysis a few years before receiving a transplant. So far, that kidney is still working.
18
I think Mr. Brooks is having fun with us. At least, I hope this is the case, for his sake. Check out his website.
8
The author bio at the end of the article states, Dan Brooks writes, among other things, fiction.
Perhaps this "Letter of Recommendation" is fiction.
If not; if it's a personal story, might I suggest some psychotherapy ?
Perhaps this "Letter of Recommendation" is fiction.
If not; if it's a personal story, might I suggest some psychotherapy ?
10
....... and then again, maybe it's artistic & creative writing.
It did, combined with photographer Sarah Anne Ward "for the NYTimes" & prop stylist, Paola Andrea, create a mood.
A sort of Hemingway-esque mood. And, maybe some of Maupassant & O'Henry. Keep on writing, Mr. Brooks.
It did, combined with photographer Sarah Anne Ward "for the NYTimes" & prop stylist, Paola Andrea, create a mood.
A sort of Hemingway-esque mood. And, maybe some of Maupassant & O'Henry. Keep on writing, Mr. Brooks.
4
Guys, it's a somewhat-humorous article about a hangover cure. All these holier-than-thou responses are missing the point, and are embarrassing to read. And if you earnestly think the writer of this article is going to read your comment and then realize he should seek help for his "alcoholism"... you're living in a dream world. Why do people feel the need to leave comments like all these? What are you getting out of it? I came to the comments section to read about people experiences with drinking Pedialyte for... adult reasons, and I was disappointed by all but 3 or 4.
54
@Margaret
Thank you, Mom.
Thank you, Mom.
8
Much tastier electrolytes are ElectroMix by Emergen-C with stevia and a lemon lime flavor. I prefer it straight though!
4
not sure why everybody thinks pedialyte does not contain sugar. dextrose is sugar. sugar is necessary to aid in transport of sodium across cell membrane.
5
Hilarious; great writing; the other commenters need to have a drink and chill out.
13
Sounds like Dan needs serious counseling. Chemistry is not the issue. Compulsive self abuse seems to be the issue.
14
The normal course of events for people who drink a lot in their teens/20s and then discover that as they get older that hangovers get worse - is to drink less! It is also not normal to lose 6lbs in bodyweight in only 90 minutes of exercise. All that vomiting and excessive sweating points to something more fundamentally wrong - are you constantly drinking and/or hungover? Have you damaged your stomach lining? Do you have diabetes? Covering up the problem with Pedialyte is not the answer.
17
Back in the day when I over-indulged my best remedy was a Chicago Dog and a Black Cow.
A Chicago Dog is a hot dog wth yellow mustard, onions, relish and small green hot peppers; a Black Cow is a root beer float.
A Chicago Dog is a hot dog wth yellow mustard, onions, relish and small green hot peppers; a Black Cow is a root beer float.
9
Vomiting is one way to get rid of toxins. Stop poisoning yourself. Smoke a joint.
12
The smug moralizing in these comments is maddening. Good for you if you are fortunate enough never to have suffered from severe vomiting or diarrhea. When you are sick to the point that you cannot keep any liquids down, this product can literally keep you out of the hospital. Maybe that's not an issue for you, but as millions of Americans are about to become uninsured again thanks to the defunding of the ACA, it's literally a lifesaver for many.
11
For sick kids, follow the label instructions. More isn't better.
Sugar or dextrose or whatever, if you've ever tasted potassium, it makes sense.
Obviously, children with diabetes need to avoid sugar, but in other kids, it's not a big deal, especially not occasionally.
If any child becomes lethargic, go to the ER. Their bodies cannot survive what an adult's body can.
Sugar or dextrose or whatever, if you've ever tasted potassium, it makes sense.
Obviously, children with diabetes need to avoid sugar, but in other kids, it's not a big deal, especially not occasionally.
If any child becomes lethargic, go to the ER. Their bodies cannot survive what an adult's body can.
1
This is a depressing article to read. The few times in my life that I've gotten sick enough to vomit because of over-consumption of alcohol taught me that I really don't want to drink that much. But here you are, celebrating a product that helps you better tolerate binge drinking.
You are poisoning yourself. Please, get help!
You are poisoning yourself. Please, get help!
5
Again! I learn more from the reader's comments than I do from the article itself.
6
I am embarrassed at the grown-man (!) who wrote this. Why do you want to be seen as a child who vomits and needs help???
54
No one seems to be enjoying his good-humored self deprication and sarcasm. I think the article is funny...as funny as the fact that he doesn't know dextrose is sugar!
4
No offense, but you really sound like an alcoholic.
80
"The whole point of growing older is to become wily, so we can get away with more."
So dang true.
So dang true.
22
Alcoholics (recovering and otherwise) are very familiar with this trick. Watered down Gatorade also works.
6
"The whole point of growing older is to become wily, so we can get away with more." Funny, I always thought the point of growing older was to become wiser. If the author thinks he's getting away with something by drinking concentrated kid's gatorade after he's gone on a bender (in his late 30's?), he might want to take a step back (or twelve) and reassess his life/raison d'etre.
42
It's humor! Are any of the commenters here familiar with the concept? Sheesh.
12
I'm not a doctor (but I play a lawyer on TV), but it seems to me that if you require Pedialyte with enough frequency to write an article on its value as a hangover cure, you may well have a medically diagnosable case of alcoholism, which, from my non-professional point of view, is neither clever nor adorable. Given the ravaging that addiction is causing across this country and the rest of our scary little world, we might want to move away from glamming up substance abuse.
97
If you continue this regimen through your 49th, I see AA in your future.
47
Pedialyte does contain sugar; it is dextrose, which is glucose.
13
Our internist recommends this stuff (in clear form) when prepping for a colonoscopy. Up until the point where you can't drink anything, the stuff helps to deal with the dehydrating effects of the 'prep' for that necessary but un-fun exam.
9
Oh please. you can drink water with a bit of sugar and salt if you are afraid of dehydration -- but in fact unless it's summer and you are outside.. or you live in a desert, you will not become dehydrated. The current generation with its endless water bottles (pacifiers) and worry beads -- cell phones -- is amazingly annoying in terms of their public behavior.
16
I think I'll look into this before my next colonoscopy. Thanks, Gaston!
1
Although it may be hard to do it especially when you are hungover but a pint of tecate with clamato, some lemon juice,a little salt, little ground pepper,a little Tabasco sauce, and a little less Perrins sauce and why not a little piece of celery , and if you're a coffee drinker , follow it with some coffee that will get you through.
6
Clamato? Haven't seen it in ages and thought it was discontinued.
My elderly father suffers from Crohn's Disease; his gastroenterologist recommends he drink Pedialyte after his bouts of diarrhea. I purchase Pedialyte in powdered form (in individual, one-serving straws) which keeps longer than the liquid and is easy to have around for whenever it's needed. The powdered version has become much harder to find recently but I can still get them at a pharmacy near me that's specifically for children's medical issues.
7
there's also the coconut juice drink. refreshing and potassium rich! a welcome drink to have after hot yoga or sweaty workout!
2
I get the drinking, and the need for a sturdy recovery protocol, but hot yoga? Anything that causes you to sweat out 6 lbs (3 liters or so) in 90 min can'y be good for you.
30
'The whole point of growing older is to become wily, so we can get away with more'?
I guess that's one way of looking at 'maturity'.
I just wonder why you would drink or exercise to the point that you risk damaging your body, at any age?
I suppose the author's generation isn't really interested in wisdom, just wiliness.
I guess that's one way of looking at 'maturity'.
I just wonder why you would drink or exercise to the point that you risk damaging your body, at any age?
I suppose the author's generation isn't really interested in wisdom, just wiliness.
12
I am an emergency medicine physician (MD). This article is misleading and non scientific and I am surprised at the NYT for publishing it. Pedialyte is great for rehydration but I feel this article does not address the dangers of alcohol overdose which can kill. It is not to be taken lightly.
In addition, I have no medical idea what the author is talking about when his brother had to drink pedialyte for a month while hooked up to a brain monitor. That doesn't make any medical sense and certainly doesn't apply to the average person. Was he actually under the care of a doctor?
If you are severely dehydrated from a stomach flu, sips of pedialyte or Gatorade are a great way to try to rehydrate. If that doesn't work then you may need to get IV fluids and be evaluated by a doctor.
Author, I hope you had a lovely birthday and didn't end up in the hospital.
In addition, I have no medical idea what the author is talking about when his brother had to drink pedialyte for a month while hooked up to a brain monitor. That doesn't make any medical sense and certainly doesn't apply to the average person. Was he actually under the care of a doctor?
If you are severely dehydrated from a stomach flu, sips of pedialyte or Gatorade are a great way to try to rehydrate. If that doesn't work then you may need to get IV fluids and be evaluated by a doctor.
Author, I hope you had a lovely birthday and didn't end up in the hospital.
88
Physician view: Carrie is right, article author is wrong, Pedialyte does contain sugar. It contains less sugar than Gatorade (and it is dextrose vs sucrose...the sucrose in Gatorade will break down in the gut into fructose and glucose..the latter consisting of aka D-glucose (dextrose) and L-glucose isomers). The dextrose can speed the absorption by the intestines of water and electrolytes. This is important for children with diarrhea (and the basis for much of the success of oral rehydration therapy saving the lives of millions of children). Not likely so important for adults with non-diseased intestines however.
Pedialyte is generally safe for adults to use for rehydration. And so is Gatorade, they both contain around the same concentrations of sodium and potassium.
You can minimize dehydration by rehydrating with very frequent small sips between episodes of vomiting (rather than waiting for the vomiting to stop). If vomiting is not occurring, you can always just drink water and eat something instead of using Pedialyte or Gatorade.
Pedialyte is generally safe for adults to use for rehydration. And so is Gatorade, they both contain around the same concentrations of sodium and potassium.
You can minimize dehydration by rehydrating with very frequent small sips between episodes of vomiting (rather than waiting for the vomiting to stop). If vomiting is not occurring, you can always just drink water and eat something instead of using Pedialyte or Gatorade.
29
Generic is just as good.
7
Perhaps a very small bit of moderation in drinking and exercise would save the expense of pedialyte. Does the author have some sort of compulsion disorder?
36
Perhaps regularly drinking to the point of vomiting is a problem?
63
I heard about this from a good friend recently, will try. I've experienced the same type of decline since I hit late 20s, very abruptly, too. Another one I've used in the past with some decent success is brine from different pickled things. Prolly has to do with high sodium content. I do like to think about older age being about working around limitations as long as possible, rather than accepting them immediately as they manifest. Where's the fun in giving up like that?
6
Binge drinking is a sign to wake up and drink the coffee, and curtail the alcohol. If you cannot stop binge drinking, go to the AA website and look at the warning signs of acknowledging alcoholism.
44
Don't drink so much that you vomit, and get help. You're damaging yourself - and encouraging others to do the same. Moderation tastes a lot better than Pedialyte the morning after.
27
Erroneous and misleading in some of this content.
Two largest ingredients, water and dextrose, in that order, the latter a simple sugar. There is also artificial sweetener, as most humans crave sweet drinks, when sick or well.
The cost for a quart is $5.00 at Walmart, very expensive sweet, salty water.
Powder packets for reconstitution are available, far cheaper, and once opened, Pedialyte needs consumption and refrigeration in short order.
Pedialyte is also used for diarrhea, a major killer of adults and children worldwide. The WHO can't afford Pedialyte, and Abbott makes gazillions with its branding- become aware of ORS- oral rehydration solution, which is water, sugar, salt, in correct proportions, easily made, costs about 10-cents a gallon. It can be flavored, works just as well.
Pedialyte uses bright artificial coloring in its clear bottles, which are attractive to our eyeballs,, but have no function. Good marketing.
It works, not saying it's a bad product, just that many can't afford, and there are far cheaper equal alternatives, especially if health insurers and government are required to pay for it.
Retired emergency medicine M.D.
Two largest ingredients, water and dextrose, in that order, the latter a simple sugar. There is also artificial sweetener, as most humans crave sweet drinks, when sick or well.
The cost for a quart is $5.00 at Walmart, very expensive sweet, salty water.
Powder packets for reconstitution are available, far cheaper, and once opened, Pedialyte needs consumption and refrigeration in short order.
Pedialyte is also used for diarrhea, a major killer of adults and children worldwide. The WHO can't afford Pedialyte, and Abbott makes gazillions with its branding- become aware of ORS- oral rehydration solution, which is water, sugar, salt, in correct proportions, easily made, costs about 10-cents a gallon. It can be flavored, works just as well.
Pedialyte uses bright artificial coloring in its clear bottles, which are attractive to our eyeballs,, but have no function. Good marketing.
It works, not saying it's a bad product, just that many can't afford, and there are far cheaper equal alternatives, especially if health insurers and government are required to pay for it.
Retired emergency medicine M.D.
33
Hm. Maybe less hot yoga and definitely less drinking? Sounds the need for Pedialyte is a surrogate for unhealthy behaviors. Not sure "moving that line" works well when you cardiovascular system collapses or you hemorrhage uncontrollably from vomiting... BTW, milk works well for rehydration, too http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/06/30/milk-and-other-surprising-ways-...
8
Good to know about Pedialyte for illness or exertion, but why in God's name do people knowingly drink to excess? Stocking up on Pedialyte in anticipation of harming your body -- the idea is so revolting, it makes me nauseous. Grow up, already.
51
Pedialyte does contain sugar.
6
"Pedialyte ingredients:Water, Dextrose. Less than 2% of the Following: Citric Acid, Natural & Artificial Flavor, Potassium Citrate, Salt, Sodium Citrate, Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium, Zinc Gluconate, and Yellow 6."
Dextrose is sugar; Sucralose is artificial sweetener.
Dextrose is sugar; Sucralose is artificial sweetener.
2
Depending on the formulation Pedialyte contains somewhere in the range of 2 to 3 % glucose (dextrose) as well as artificial sweeteners. Glucose is much more readily taken up in the intestine than sucrose (regular sugar, which has to be broken down into glucose and fructose) and therefore will usually not contribute in a major way to exacerbating dehydration.
1
In Mexico, it's common to drink a "Suero", which is basically Pedialyte, before AND after a night out. Except, it's sold in almost every corner store.
10
It's even cheaper to not drink alcohol and Pedialyte.
92
Pretty sure cost isn't the concern here.
10
Dear author, i really enjoyed your extremely exhilarating article. May I contribute an upgrade to your hangover drink? You might want to add a pill or two of aspirine or ibuprofen (contraindications apply), an antiemetic and an additional liter of pure lukewarm water. In northern Germany we call it "Bayer Cocktail" (named after the drug company) and I learned about it during medical school, although not at the university.....becoming old is nothing for cowards, a saying goes, so be brave!
34
Perhaps a doctor can weigh in on this, but I remember reading something about the negative impact that the potassium and electrolytes in drinks like this can have on people with high blood pressure or other heart issues. I'd exercise caution before wholesale recommendation of it to everyone. If you're on blood pressure meds, it can mess with the delicate balance of electrolytes, potassium and sodium already in play.
27
The high sodium content would be enough to recommend not drinking this if you have high blood pressure. Your body would just excrete the other ingredients if they weren't needed.
1
Can a doctor weigh in on the downside of this elixir? I am sure there must be one. Dr. Klass, perhaps you can field this one?
12
How about a doctor weighing in on the downside of binge drinking? The author makes it sound as though this is normal behavior. It's not normal to drink a dozen whiskeys, and someone who does is not really fine the next day.
23