T
The Daily Insight

Why do you need electrolytes after drinking

Author

Rachel Ross

Published Apr 18, 2026

Drinking alcohol causes you to lose a lot of water and creates electrolyte imbalances. When parts of your body become dehydrated (like when you drink high amounts of alcohol), your body attempts to balance body fluids. It needs electrolytes to do this.

Should I drink electrolytes after drinking alcohol?

Electrolyte solutions (such as sports drinks) and bouillon soup are good for replacing the salt and potassium you lose from drinking alcohol. Get plenty of rest. Even if you feel good the morning after heavy drinking, the lasting effects of alcohol reduce your ability to perform at your best.

What electrolytes do you need after drinking?

Want to gain an edge over plain old water to treat your hangover? Consider reaching for Gatorade, Pedialyte, Powerade, or a similar nonfizzy sports drink. These drinks are packed with certain minerals called electrolytes — such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium — which help regulate fluid levels in the body.

Why are electrolytes good for hangover?

Electrolytes are minerals that keep your body functioning properly and reverse dehydration by helping you retain water. Oral rehydration solutions (ORS) and electrolyte drinks or tablets typically contain the right mix of salts and sugars to promote optimal hydration — especially after a hangover.

Should you drink electrolytes before or after drinking?

Alcohol is a diuretic. That means it increases the amount of water you expel via urine, which can in turn lead to dehydration. Since Pedialyte is formulated to prevent dehydration, it makes sense that drinking it before or while drinking could help to prevent a hangover.

Is Gatorade similar to Pedialyte?

Although they’re similar, they have slight differences in their calorie, carb, and electrolyte contents. While you can sometimes use Pedialyte and Gatorade interchangeably, Pedialyte may be more suitable for diarrhea-induced dehydration, while Gatorade may be better for exercise-induced dehydration.

When should I drink Pedialyte to prevent a hangover?

You should drink pedialyte as soon as you are feeling dehydrated or right when you wake up after a night of drinking alcohol. You can also drink pedialyte before and while drinking to prevent a hangover. You should drink as much of it as your body needs to feel better.

What should I drink after a night of drinking?

Electrolyte drinks During a hangover, many people turn to rehydration drinks, such as Pedialyte. These are rich in electrolytes. For convenience, some people turn to electrolyte drinks and sports drinks, such as Gatorade and Powerade. Like Pedialyte, these contain essential electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium.

Is it better to drink water or Gatorade when hungover?

Alcohol acts as a diuretic, meaning that it causes the body to lose water. Although replacing the lost water won’t cure your hangover, it will make it less painful. Try Gatorade or another sports drink to replenish lost electrolytes and get a bit of sugar at the same time.

Whats better Pedialyte or liquid IV?

In essence, Liquid IV and Pedialyte are the same things in terms of minerals, salts, and sugars. They are both based on the WHO rehydration formula. With that said, Liquid IV contains B vitamins, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C that Pedialyte does not. So overall, Liquid IV has more to offer.

Article first time published on

Do rehydration sachets work for hangovers?

Rehydration sachets, usually used for treating diarrhoea, can speed up your hangover recovery, as they contain electrolytes that replace lost fluids quicker than water alone.

Is it OK to drink electrolytes everyday?

While it’s unnecessary to drink electrolyte-enhanced beverages all the time, they may be beneficial during prolonged exercise, in hot environments or if you’re ill with vomiting or diarrhea.

Do you really need electrolytes?

The right amount of electrolytes in your body is needed for optimal health and physical performance. If you lose a significant amount of these minerals (either by intense exercise, sweating, vomiting or diarrhea), you’re going to experience dehydration and feel pretty lousy.

Do electrolytes keep you awake?

Outside of the sports arena though, the role that electrolytes play in energizing you is really just related to being fully hydrated. When you’re dehydrated you get fatigued very quickly. Hydrating quickly, which is helped by having some electrolytes in what you’re drinking, will re-energize you effectively!

What's better than Pedialyte?

Coconut water is the easiest Pedialyte alternative and a natural way to help your dehydrated child. Full of fluid-balancing potassium and sodium, it’s nature’s solution for sick tummies. Coconut water is low in sugar and high in electrolytes, which is the perfect recipe for your sick child.

Is Gatorade or Pedialyte better for hangover?

I like Pedialyte better than Gatorade, as it has more electrolytes and less sugar,” he says. … The same size serving of Gatorade contains 160 milligrams of sodium, 45 milligrams of potassium, 21 grams of sugar, and 80 calories. Of course, the ultimate hangover cure is abstaining from alcohol entirely.

What are the side effects of Pedialyte?

  • nausea.
  • vomiting.
  • gas.
  • diarrhea.
  • intense abdominal pain.

Should the elderly drink Gatorade?

Special Considerations for Older People Water is ultimately the best way to stay hydrated for older people, although Gatorade could be used to stimulate thirst due to its sodium content. Older people should drink small amounts continuously throughout the day, not a massive amount all at once.

How can I tell if I'm dehydrated?

  • feeling thirsty.
  • dark yellow and strong-smelling pee.
  • feeling dizzy or lightheaded.
  • feeling tired.
  • a dry mouth, lips and eyes.
  • peeing little, and fewer than 4 times a day.

Which is better Pocari Sweat or Gatorade?

One can of Pocari Sweat, for example, has almost six teaspoons of sugar, while a 600-millilitre bottle of Gatorade packs over nine teaspoons. Vitamin Water, the supposedly “healthier” option, has roughly the same amount of sugar as most commercial sports drinks.

How do you recover from a night of heavy drinking?

  1. Eat a good breakfast. Eating a hearty breakfast is one of the most well-known remedies for a hangover. …
  2. Get plenty of sleep. …
  3. Stay hydrated. …
  4. Have a drink the next morning. …
  5. Try taking some of these supplements. …
  6. Avoid drinks with congeners.

Does puking when hungover help?

Throwing up after drinking may reduce stomach pain that the alcohol has caused. If a person throws up shortly after having a drink, the body may not have absorbed the alcohol, potentially lessening its effects.

What is the best alcoholic drink for a hangover?

Vodka is known to be the best alcoholic beverage for the most minimal hangover. Gin, light rum and white wine are runner-ups—with brandy and whiskey being at the bottom of the list.

What foods absorbs alcohol?

Foods high in protein and healthy fats, like yogurt and salmon, can help slow alcohol absorption. Avocados and bananas also contain plenty of potassium, which you might lose after drinking.

How do you flush out alcohol?

Eating before, during, and after drinking can help slow the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream. Drinking plenty of water can assist with dehydration and flushing toxins from the body. And drinking fruit juices that contain fructose and vitamins B and C can help the liver flush out alcohol more successfully.

What should you not eat when hungover?

  • Say goodbye to greasy cures. Avoid greasy foods like pizza and fries. …
  • Don’t overdo it with the protein. Add some carbs to your meal. …
  • Coffee and orange juice may also be your enemies.

What is the healthiest electrolyte drink?

  1. Coconut water. Coconut water, or coconut juice, is the clear liquid found inside of a coconut. …
  2. Milk. …
  3. Watermelon water (and other fruit juices) …
  4. Smoothies. …
  5. Electrolyte-infused waters. …
  6. Electrolyte tablets. …
  7. Sports drinks. …
  8. Pedialyte.

What is the best drink for the human body?

Water is the best choice for quenching your thirst. Coffee and tea, without added sweeteners, are healthy choices, too. Some beverages should be limited or consumed in moderation, including fruit juice, milk, and those made with low-calorie sweeteners, like diet drinks.

Do Gatorade packets have electrolytes?

Does Gatorade Zero have electrolytes? Yes, sugar free Gatorade Zero has the same blend of electrolytes as found in the Original Thirst Quencher.

How do you replace electrolytes after drinking alcohol?

Consume plenty of water and electrolytes while you drink, after you drink, and when you wake up to continuously hydrate and replenish your electrolyte reserves. Some good sources of electrolytes include bananas, coconut water, and pickle juice.

Why do I feel drunk two days later?

Why is this? Alcohol is a depressant which affects your brain’s natural level of happiness chemicals like serotonin and dopamine. This means that although you’ll feel an initial ‘boost’ the night before, the next day you will be deficient in these same chemicals, which may lead to feeling anxious, down or depressed.