How to Make Home Made Glucose Water for Rehydration

December 18, 2025 •

4 min read

Since 2007, Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS) have helped to prevent an estimated 54 million deaths caused by diarrhea. A mixture of salt, sugar, and water, in the correct proportions, can be made at home to make a simple, effective solution. Learning how to make home made glucose water can be a valuable skill for treating mild dehydration.

Quick Summary

This guide provides a step-by-step recipe for preparing a balanced oral rehydration solution using household ingredients, outlining proper preparation and safe usage for treating mild dehydration. The content also addresses important safety considerations and when to seek medical advice.

Key Points

Standard Recipe: Use 1 liter of clean water, 6 teaspoons of sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt for a balanced oral rehydration solution.
Safety First: Boil water and ensure all utensils are clean to prevent contamination.
Precision is Vital: Accurate measurements are critical to create a safe and effective solution; do not guess proportions.
Sip Slowly: For best absorption and to prevent nausea, consume the solution in small, frequent sips.
Know When to Seek Help: While effective for mild cases, severe dehydration requires immediate medical attention.

Understanding the Science of Rehydration

Dehydration happens when the body loses more fluid than it takes in, leading to a loss of essential salts and minerals, also known as electrolytes. An oral rehydration solution (ORS) works by using the sodium-glucose cotransport system. In this system, glucose helps the small intestine absorb sodium and water more efficiently. A balanced ORS contains the right ratio of salt (sodium chloride) and sugar (glucose), along with water, to maximize this absorption and restore the body's fluid balance. A solution that is too salty or too sweet can worsen dehydration by pulling water out of the body through osmosis, so accuracy is key.

The Classic WHO-Recommended Homemade ORS Recipe

This recipe follows the World Health Organization (WHO) standards for a safe and effective oral rehydration solution.

Ingredients

1 liter of clean, safe drinking water (boiled and cooled is best)
6 teaspoons (approx. 40 grams) of granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon (approx. 3.5 grams) of table salt

Instructions

Ensure Cleanliness: Wash hands thoroughly with soap and use a clean container and mixing utensil.
Boil the Water: Bring one liter of water to a rolling boil for at least one minute to sterilize it, then let it cool to a safe temperature.
Measure Accurately: Carefully measure out exactly six teaspoons of sugar and a level half-teaspoon of salt. Use standard measuring spoons, not a kitchen utensil that can vary in size.
Dissolve: Add the measured sugar and salt to the cooled, boiled water. Stir until both the sugar and salt are completely dissolved.
Storage: The solution should be stored in a covered container in the refrigerator and discarded after 24 hours.

Customizing Your Homemade Glucose Water

While the classic ORS recipe is the standard, variations can be made for taste or to add other minerals, but precision is vital.

Flavorful Variations

Lemon/Lime: Add the juice from half a lemon or lime. Citrus provides potassium and can make the taste more palatable, especially for children.
Orange: Use half a cup of orange juice instead of some of the water. This adds potassium and improves flavor.
Natural Sweeteners: A more natural approach for additional electrolytes is to use ingredients like honey or coconut sugar, but this can make measuring precise ratios more difficult.

Important Cautions

Do not use brown sugar, as it contains impurities and is harder to measure accurately.
Never use honey for infants under one year due to the risk of infant botulism.
Do not guess at the measurements; an incorrect balance of sugar and salt can be ineffective or even harmful.

Comparison of DIY ORS vs. Commercial Products


Feature	Homemade ORS	Commercial ORS (e.g., Pedialyte)
Cost	Very low cost, uses common household ingredients.	Higher cost, though often covered by insurance or available in low-resource settings.
Availability	Available anytime, anywhere with basic ingredients and clean water.	Requires access to a pharmacy, clinic, or store.
Precision	Relies on manual measurement, which can be prone to human error.	Manufactured with precise, standardized electrolyte and glucose concentrations.
Flavor	Can be adjusted with citrus or other additives, but may not be as pleasant for some.	Often available in different flavors, which may aid in consumption for picky patients.
Shelf-life	Homemade solution must be used within 24 hours to prevent bacterial growth.	Long shelf-life in unopened packets or bottles.

Best Practices and Safe Administration

To ensure the homemade solution is as safe and effective as possible, follow these guidelines.

Proper Administration

Sip slowly: For both adults and children, the solution should be sipped slowly, not gulped.
Give in small amounts: For children or individuals with nausea, give small, frequent sips to prevent vomiting.
Start early: Begin administering the solution at the first signs of dehydration, such as excessive sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting.

Recognizing When to Seek Medical Help

While a homemade solution is great for mild dehydration, severe cases require professional medical attention. Immediately consult a doctor if you observe any of the following signs of severe dehydration:

Sunken eyes
No urination or extremely dark urine
Rapid heartbeat or breathing
Lethargy, confusion, or irritability
Fainting or dizziness

Conclusion

Knowing how to make home made glucose water is a practical skill for providing quick relief from mild to moderate dehydration. When prepared correctly according to the WHO-recommended formula, this simple mixture of salt, sugar, and water can effectively replace lost fluids and electrolytes. However, it is crucial to understand the importance of precise measurements and to recognize the limitations of homemade solutions. For severe dehydration or if symptoms worsen, always consult a healthcare professional. A homemade ORS is a powerful first-aid tool, but it is not a substitute for proper medical care in emergency situations.

Visit the WHO website for more detailed information on Oral Rehydration Solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Juice is not a suitable substitute for sugar in an ORS. While it contains sugar, the concentration of both sugar and electrolytes is not properly balanced for effective rehydration and may worsen diarrhea.

Commercial sports drinks often contain too much sugar and not enough sodium for optimal rehydration, which can hinder fluid absorption. A homemade ORS, when made correctly, has a precise, therapeutic balance of salt and sugar.

The WHO-recommended formula is safe for children. However, dosages vary by age and weight, and professional guidance is recommended, especially for infants, where precision is paramount to avoid electrolyte imbalances.

A homemade ORS should be stored in a covered container in the refrigerator and used within 24 hours. After this time, it should be discarded to prevent bacterial growth.

Salt (sodium) is crucial because it pairs with glucose to trigger a transport system in the intestines, which significantly improves the absorption of water into the body. Without salt, the solution is much less effective.

No. Adding more sugar than recommended can create a hyperosmolar solution. This can pull water out of the body and into the intestines, worsening dehydration.

Using precise measurements is critical. Guessing the proportions can create a mixture that is ineffective or potentially harmful. It is best to wait until you have accurate measuring spoons to prepare the solution correctly.