Evidence supporting the use of: Carbohydrate (unspecified)
For the health condition: Dehydration

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 5

Carbohydrates are scientifically validated in the management and treatment of dehydration, particularly in the context of oral rehydration solutions (ORS). When an individual is dehydrated—commonly due to diarrhea, vomiting, or excessive sweating—fluid and electrolyte losses must be replenished efficiently. The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF recommend ORS containing a precise ratio of glucose (a simple carbohydrate) and electrolytes (primarily sodium and potassium). The inclusion of carbohydrate is not arbitrary: glucose facilitates the absorption of sodium and, consequently, water in the small intestine through the sodium-glucose co-transport mechanism. This principle, established in the 1960s and 1970s, revolutionized the treatment of dehydration, especially in children with diarrhea, and has saved millions of lives globally.

Multiple randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have demonstrated the superior efficacy of carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions over plain water or electrolyte-only solutions in rehydrating patients and reducing morbidity and mortality from dehydration-related illnesses. The use of unspecified carbohydrates (usually glucose, sometimes rice or other sugars) is thus grounded in robust physiological mechanisms and large-scale clinical evidence. These findings are reflected in guidelines from major health organizations, making carbohydrate an essential ingredient in the scientific management of dehydration.

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