A paediatric doctor has cleared up something for parents about one of the latest health obsessions sweeping the internet.
When it comes to health and wellness, it can be hard to navigate in what is essentially an avalanche of information available everywhere, from books to blogs to social media. And today’s tweens and teens are not immune either, often coming across trends and new crazes long before it has trickled down to parents’ ‘for you’ pages and consciousness.
One of the latest wellness trends might sounds all sorts of healthy and worthy of doing at first, as it centres all around hydration – AKA just making sure you are drinking enough water. This is all well and good, of course, but in the name of hydration optimising, the sale of electrolyte drinks and electrolyte powders has exploded in the past couple of years, and gone on to become big business for those making and selling these.
And tweens and teens, being chronically online and on social media, have taken note. And as a result, TikTok and Instagram are flooded with hashtags like #watertok, encouraging the use of electrolyte products in the name of health and hydration.
But is this really necessary? Do kids need electrolytes to stay hydrated?
Paediatric doctor weighs in on viral craze
No, says one pediatric doctor, who recently took to social media herself to share her thoughts on the matter.
‘Do children need electrolyte water?’
In a new video on TikTok, a retired pediatric doctor, who posts under the handle Ask Bubbie, shares what she thinks about this latest health craze, and whether or not it is essential for kids to use electrolyte powders and drinks.
@ask.bubbie Should you follow this trend? #toddlers #kids ♬ original sound – Ask Bubbie
‘I have to tell you, I am not a fan of this craze of giving everyone electrolyte water,’ the doctor opens with.
She adds:
‘They are not necessary. Basically, water is the most hydrating drink you can have.’
So, does the pediatric doctor see any us for electrolyte products at all? Yes, she says, in some circumstances.
‘The only time I recommend giving electrolytes, is if your child has had significant diarrhea, and really are out of electrolytes in their system, and your doctor recommends that you give them electrolytes.’
She adds:
‘That is for rehydration for someone who is dehydrated.’
