Diluted apple juice better than electrolyte for dehydration, says study

As the summer picks up the heat, kids suffering from mild gastroenteritis and dehydration should be given diluted apple juice instead of electrolyte drinks to replace fluid losses from diarrhea and vomiting, researchers say.

The results showed that 17% children who were administered diluted apple juice experienced less treatment failure compared to 25% given electrolyte drinks. “The use of dilute apple juice and preferred fluids may be an appropriate alternative to electrolyte maintenance fluids in children with mild gastroenteritis and minimal dehydration,” said Stephen B Freedman from University of Calgary in Canada.

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The study, published in the journal JAMA, children from age six months to five years with gastroenteritis and minimal dehydration to receive diluted apple juice or apple-flavoured electrolyte maintenance solution.

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Among 647 randomised children, 644 completed the follow-up inspections. Only 2.5% children who drink apple juice/preferred fluids received intravenous rehydration. “The findings may more accurately reflect the effect rehydration fluid choice has on unscheduled medical visits,” Freedman stated.