Is Pedialyte a Magic Hangover Cure? Let's Break It Down

You wake up after a night out feeling awful—head pounding, stomach queasy, and incredibly thirsty. Even though you feel terrible, you have a big meeting to prepare for. You desperately need something to help you feel better. Is there a magic hangover cure? Today, we explore whether Pedialyte is the answer. (Spoiler: not entirely.)

What Happens During a Hangover?

First, let’s understand what we’re trying to cure. Hangovers come with a range of unpleasant symptoms:

• Fatigue, weakness, and dehydration
• Nausea, vomiting, and dizziness
• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Anxiety and irritability
• Sweating, high blood pressure, and low blood sugar

Hangovers happen for several reasons. We’ll focus on three main causes: dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and low blood sugar.

Dehydration

Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it makes you urinate more, leading to fluid loss. Vomiting, sweating, and other factors can also dehydrate you.

Electrolyte Imbalance

Electrolytes are charged minerals like sodium, potassium, and magnesium that help your body and brain function. Alcohol increases urine output, flushing these essential electrolytes out of your system.

Low Blood Sugar

Your body needs a steady level of blood sugar for energy. Alcohol can lower blood sugar, leaving you shaky, foggy-headed, and fatigued.

What Is Pedialyte?

Pedialyte is a drink originally designed to rehydrate children and replenish electrolytes after illnesses like stomach bugs. It meets pediatric standards for preventing dehydration. Recently, it has gained popularity among adults and athletes as a hangover remedy.

Key ingredients in classic Pedialyte include:

• Water
• Dextrose (a form of sugar)
• Zinc
• Sodium, chloride, and potassium (electrolytes)

How Does Pedialyte Help With Hangovers?

While Pedialyte isn’t a complete hangover cure, it can ease symptoms related to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and low blood sugar.

• Dehydration: Pedialyte helps replace lost fluids.
• Electrolyte Imbalance: It restores sodium, chloride, and potassium.
• Low Blood Sugar: The dextrose in Pedialyte can help raise blood sugar levels.

By addressing these issues, Pedialyte may reduce headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and stomach pain.

How to Use Pedialyte for Hangovers

Research on Pedialyte’s effectiveness for hangovers is limited, and individual experiences vary. The best time to drink Pedialyte is before bed as a preventive measure. Sipping a cup to a pint slowly may help you wake up less dehydrated and ease some symptoms.

Other Hangover Relief Options

Pedialyte isn’t the only solution. Here are other ways to feel better after drinking:

• Hydrate with Water: Drink water throughout the day and alternate alcoholic drinks with water to stay hydrated.
• Electrolyte Drinks: Options like Gatorade, coconut water, or electrolyte-infused waters can also help replenish minerals.
• Eat Nutritious Food: Bananas provide potassium and magnesium. Fruit smoothies offer hydration and electrolytes.

Pedialyte can help with hangover symptoms, but it’s not significantly more effective than drinking water and having a healthy snack. Science hasn’t confirmed it as a proven hangover cure. Most hangovers resolve on their own within 24 hours as your body recovers naturally.