On: Is water always the best choice on a hot day?

[TroisM]

Powerade and Gatorade both have sugar free alternatives

[SAI_Peregrinus → TroisM]

Note that sugar increases absorption of sodium[1] into the body, so sugar-free alternatives won't be as effective.

[1] https://www.gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085(97)70034-9/...

[makomk → SAI_Peregrinus]

I think this is mostly only an issue for people who need rehydration due to severe diarrhoea though.

[SAI_Peregrinus → makomk]

It's important for any severe dehydration. Less severe dehydration means less water has been lost, and the loss of electrolytes is proportional to the amount of water loss. The absorbtion increase is important for cases of severe dehydration, but mild dehydration can often afford to wait for a meal to replenish the electrolytes fully.