What Exactly Are Resource Drinks?
Resource is a brand of oral nutritional supplements produced by Nestle Health Science. Unlike standard sports drinks, Resource beverages are formulated to provide high amounts of calories, protein, vitamins, and minerals for individuals who cannot meet their nutritional needs through food alone. They are often prescribed for people with medical conditions such as cancer, anorexia, or those recovering from illness or surgery. While they are a liquid and contribute to overall fluid intake, their primary purpose is delivering dense nutrition, not promoting rehydration in the average, healthy individual.
Types of Resource Beverages
There are several varieties of Resource drinks, each with a different nutritional profile. For instance, Resource Fruit Flavoured Beverage is fat-free and has a higher carbohydrate percentage, while other versions, like Resource 2.0, are calorically and protein-dense. The ingredients reflect their medical purpose.
Common ingredients include:
- Water
- Maltodextrin
- Sucrose
- Milk proteins
- Vegetable oils
- Vitamins (C, E, B-vitamins, etc.)
- Minerals (potassium, sodium, calcium, zinc, etc.)
The osmolality, which is the concentration of particles in the fluid, is quite high in many Resource drinks. High osmolality can sometimes slow down the rate at which water is absorbed by the body compared to plain water, though the fluid itself is still absorbed over time.
The Science of Hydration: Beyond Just Drinking Water
Effective hydration is about more than just fluid intake; it requires maintaining a balance of electrolytes like sodium and potassium, which help regulate the fluid in and around our cells. The body's need for these components varies depending on the cause and extent of fluid loss.
- Plain Water: Best for everyday hydration. It contains no calories and is sufficient for replenishing fluids lost through daily activities and light exercise.
- Sports Drinks: Designed for athletes engaged in prolonged, high-intensity exercise (typically over 60 minutes). They contain carbohydrates for energy and electrolytes to replace those lost in sweat, which enhances fluid absorption. However, they contain significant sugar and are not necessary for casual exercisers.
- Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS): Formulated with a precise balance of sugar and electrolytes to treat moderate dehydration from illness, like vomiting or diarrhea. They have less sugar and a higher sodium concentration than most sports drinks.
Resource Drinks vs. True Hydration Drinks: A Comparison
To understand whether resource drinks are hydrating for your needs, it's essential to compare their function against other common beverages. The difference lies in their fundamental purpose: one is for nutritional supplementation, the others are for performance and rehydration.
| Drink Type | Primary Purpose | Calories & Sugar | Key Electrolytes | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resource Drink | High-density nutritional supplementation for medical patients. | High (e.g., 250+ kcal/serving). | Vary by product, include potassium, sodium, etc.. | Individuals with malnutrition, illness, or post-surgery, under medical supervision. |
| Plain Water | General, everyday fluid replacement and bodily functions. | None. | None (unless bottled with added minerals). | Most people for daily hydration, light exercise. |
| Sports Drink | Fueling and hydrating during prolonged, intense exercise. | Moderate to High sugar (e.g., 22g in Gatorade). | Sodium, Potassium. | Athletes during sustained activity (90+ minutes). |
| Oral Rehydration Solution | Replenishing fluids and electrolytes during mild to moderate dehydration from illness. | Lower than sports drinks. | High sodium, high potassium. | Individuals with vomiting, diarrhea, or fever. |
The Verdict: When to Choose What
So, are resource drinks hydrating? Yes, in the sense that any liquid contributes to your total fluid intake, but they are not an optimal choice for general hydration. For a healthy person, their high caloric and sugar content is an unnecessary burden and not tailored to the body's specific rehydration needs. For example, a sports drink is designed to promote rapid absorption of water and electrolytes during exercise, while an ORS is designed to correct a specific electrolyte imbalance due to illness. A Resource drink, by contrast, is primarily focused on providing a concentrated source of nutrients to a compromised system.
For most people, plain water is the best choice for staying hydrated throughout the day. For athletes or those experiencing significant sweat loss, a sports drink may be beneficial. In cases of illness, an ORS is more appropriate for replacing lost fluids and electrolytes safely. Resource beverages should be reserved for the specific medical uses for which they are designed and used under a healthcare provider's guidance.
Conclusion: The Right Drink for the Right Need
It is a common misconception that all liquid supplements are interchangeable for hydration purposes. The answer to 'are resource drinks hydrating?' is nuanced: while they contain fluid, their main role is to provide concentrated nutrition for patients, not to serve as a general rehydration beverage. For healthy individuals, the best and safest option for hydration is almost always water. Understanding the specific purpose of each type of drink is key to making the best choice for your health and hydration needs. For more information on dehydration, you can consult reliable sources like the Mayo Clinic.
