Does Drinking Gatorade Help When Sick? The Surprising Truth

October 28, 2025 •

4 min read

According to Abbott Nutrition, high-sugar drinks like standard Gatorade can sometimes worsen stomach issues such as diarrhea during an illness. So, does drinking Gatorade help when sick? The answer is not a simple yes or no, as it depends on the specific product, the severity of your symptoms, and the underlying cause of your fluid loss.

Quick Summary

Gatorade can help replenish electrolytes and fluids lost during illness with vomiting or diarrhea. However, its high sugar content can aggravate symptoms, making low-sugar alternatives or oral rehydration solutions often better choices for managing sickness effectively.

Key Points

Electrolyte Replenishment: Gatorade can replace sodium and potassium lost from vomiting, diarrhea, or fever, which helps the body rehydrate.
High Sugar Risk: Standard Gatorade has a high sugar content, which can worsen diarrhea and potentially upset the stomach further during an illness.
Better Alternatives Exist: Oral rehydration solutions (ORS) like Pedialyte are specifically formulated for illness-related dehydration with a more appropriate balance of ingredients.
Consider Low-Sugar Options: If using Gatorade, choose a low-sugar (G2) or zero-sugar (G Zero) version to avoid the negative effects of excess sugar.
Plain Water is Often Best: For mild sickness without significant fluid loss, plain water is the most effective and healthiest choice for hydration.
Sip Slowly: When nauseous, drinking small, slow sips of any fluid is recommended to prevent further vomiting.
When to Avoid Gatorade: People with diabetes and those susceptible to upset stomachs should avoid standard, sugary Gatorade when sick.

The Role of Electrolytes and Hydration During Illness

When you're sick with a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, your body loses fluids and vital electrolytes such as sodium and potassium. Dehydration can occur quickly, leading to fatigue, dizziness, and muscle cramps. In these specific scenarios, replenishing electrolytes is crucial for helping your body rehydrate properly and recover. Sports drinks like Gatorade were originally formulated for athletes to replace these lost minerals during intense exercise. In a similar fashion, they can theoretically aid in recovery from illness-induced fluid loss.

The Case for Gatorade: When It Can Help

Replenishing Lost Electrolytes

For illnesses involving fluid loss through vomiting or diarrhea, sipping on an electrolyte-fortified drink can be beneficial. The sodium and potassium help your body maintain proper fluid balance and nerve function. This can be particularly useful when you have a high fever that causes excessive sweating.

Providing a Quick Energy Boost

During an illness, a loss of appetite is common, and you may not be consuming enough calories. The sugar (carbohydrates) in standard Gatorade can provide a quick source of energy, which may help if you're feeling weak or sluggish. However, this benefit comes with a significant drawback for most people, especially those sensitive to sugar.

The Downsides of Standard Gatorade When Sick

High Sugar Content

Standard Gatorade contains a high concentration of sugar, with a 20-ounce bottle containing around 34 grams. This high sugar level is designed for high-intensity athletes, not for sick individuals. For someone with a stomach bug, this excess sugar can actually worsen diarrhea by pulling more water into the intestines. It's also an unsuitable choice for those with conditions like diabetes.

Not an Ideal Electrolyte Balance

Standard sports drinks are formulated for exercise recovery, not illness. The ratio of sugar to electrolytes is not optimized for rehydration during illness, unlike oral rehydration solutions (ORS) such as Pedialyte. ORS products have a balanced formulation that is more effective for managing dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea.

Better Alternatives to Consider

If you are feeling ill, you have several options that may be better than standard Gatorade. These include:

Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS): Specifically designed for treating illness-related dehydration, these contain the optimal balance of sugar, salt, and water.
Coconut Water: A natural source of electrolytes, especially potassium, and generally lower in sugar than sports drinks. Check labels for added sugars.
Clear Broths: Chicken or vegetable broth can provide fluids, sodium, and other nutrients. They also offer a comforting warmth that can help soothe a sore throat and congestion.
Plain Water: For mild cases of illness without severe vomiting or diarrhea, plain water is still the best choice for hydration.
Homemade Electrolyte Drink: You can create your own solution with water, a bit of salt, and a small amount of sugar or honey.
Diluted Gatorade or Zero-Sugar Options: If Gatorade is your only option, diluting it heavily with water or opting for a zero-sugar version can mitigate the negative effects of the sugar content.

Comparison of Rehydration Options for Sickness


Feature	Plain Water	Standard Gatorade	Oral Rehydration Solution (e.g., Pedialyte)
Sugar Content	None	Very high (34g per 20oz)	Low and balanced
Electrolyte Balance	None	Designed for athletes (higher sugar)	Optimized for illness
Suitability for Vomiting/Diarrhea	Can be beneficial, but lacks electrolytes	High sugar can worsen symptoms	Ideal for rehydration during illness
Energy Boost	No	Yes (high sugar)	Minimal (low sugar)
Risk of Aggravating Symptoms	Low	High (due to sugar)	Low
Best For	General hydration	Intense exercise recovery	Illness-induced dehydration

How to Drink When Sick

When dealing with nausea or an upset stomach, how you consume fluids is just as important as what you drink.

Sip, Don't Gulp

Drinking a large amount of fluid too quickly can trigger more vomiting. Instead, take small sips every 15 minutes to allow your body to rehydrate slowly.

Try Ice Chips

If you are having trouble keeping fluids down at all, try sucking on ice chips or electrolyte ice pops. This allows for a slower intake of fluids and can be easier to tolerate.

Conclusion: Making the Right Call

While Gatorade can help when sick by replacing lost electrolytes, it is far from the best solution for most illnesses. Its high sugar content is a major drawback, potentially worsening diarrhea and other stomach issues. For optimal recovery, especially from vomiting or diarrhea, oral rehydration solutions are a superior choice due to their balanced formulation. For milder cases, sticking to plain water, clear broths, or diluted, zero-sugar alternatives is a much wiser approach. It's always best to listen to your body and consult a healthcare professional for persistent or severe symptoms. For more information on illness management, the Mayo Clinic provides useful guidance on cold and flu remedies.

Frequently Asked Questions

It is most appropriate to drink Gatorade when you are experiencing illness that causes a significant loss of fluids and electrolytes, such as from vomiting, diarrhea, or a prolonged fever. For milder symptoms, other options are often better.

High sugar levels can aggravate diarrhea by pulling excess water into the intestines. It can also cause nausea and stomach cramps in people who are already ill.

If you choose Gatorade, the zero-sugar (G Zero) or lower-sugar (G2) versions are the best options. These still provide electrolytes without the high sugar content that can be problematic during illness.

An oral rehydration solution (ORS) like Pedialyte is generally a superior alternative for illness, as it has a scientifically balanced ratio of carbohydrates and electrolytes to maximize absorption.

For children, it is generally recommended to use an oral rehydration solution like Pedialyte. If Gatorade is the only option, it should be heavily diluted with water due to its high sugar content, which can worsen diarrhea in kids.

Sip fluids slowly and in small amounts. A good strategy is to take just a few sips every 15 minutes to avoid overwhelming your stomach and triggering more vomiting.

Yes, natural alternatives include coconut water (check for added sugar), clear broths like chicken or vegetable, and plain water. Herbal teas can also be soothing and hydrating.

You should contact a doctor if vomiting or diarrhea persists, especially in children or older adults. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe symptoms like confusion, inability to keep fluids down, or lack of urination.