When Water Isn't Enough, Consider a Rehydration Solution

SGLT1 (Sodium-Glucose Linked Transporter 1) is a protein found on the cell membrane of intestinal cells that cotransports sodium and glucose into the intestinal brush border membrane.

Glucose or another carbohydrate is needed for active movement of sodium through the small intestine. The sodium leaves the intestinal cell via sodium-potassium pump and enters the bloodstream.

The sodium gradient provides energy to transport glucose into the apical membrane for absorption.

Water follows the osmotic gradient created by sodium and other electrolytes, thereby increasing plasma volume.

Alternative beverages with too much sugar and higher osmolality slow down the hydration process or even result in a net loss of water.^1,2

Recent clinical trial data shows that Pedialyte increases plasma volume better than water.^3,†

^† Plasma volume expansion with Pedialyte over 2h was more than twice the expansion with water in a randomized, crossover study with 14 healthy adults.