5 Best Hydration Tablets for Elderly
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Older adults often forget to drink enough water throughout the day, which can lead to dehydration. You will be surprised to learn that dehydration is more common in the elderly than it is in younger people. We, young caregivers, are not much concerned about drinking the recommended 6-8 glasses of water a day. We can get by. Such is not the case with seniors. This is where hydration supplements can help. Below, I share the best hydration tablets for the elderly.
Editor’s note: These tablets are not meant to be swallowed. You can put them in water, fruit juice, or smoothies. They dissolve in two minutes.
Here Are The Best Hydration Tablets For Elderly
#1 GU Energy Hydration Electrolyte Drink Tablets
best overall
GU Energy is a California-based nutritional supplements manufacturer. The products are designed and lab-tested in their facility located in Berkeley. The company was founded in the early nineties and since has been one of the competitors to giants like Gatorade.
The best thing about this hydration supplement is you get an assortment of four exciting flavors: Lemon Lime, Orange, Strawberry Lemonade, And Tri-berry. Each flavor comes in a separate container.
Each container contains 12 tablets, which makes it 48 total servings.
You can add one tablet to a cup/sipping bottle filled with 16 ounces of water. The tablet dissolves quickly, although I recommend you stir it with a spoon or give the bottle a good shake.
The drink gives off bubbles and is a little fizzy. The flavor is perfect for older people who have an affinity for fizzy drinks such as Coke or soda. The drink tastes great after a workout session or a long walk in the park.
It should be noted that this hydration supplement does not contain caffeine or any other stimulant. Furthermore, the tablets are made purely from vegan ingredients found in nature.
This product is suitable for:
This hydration supplement is suited for older adults with an active lifestyle. You can drink one serving before going out for a walk, and another during or after the walk. It can replace electrolytes such as salt and potassium used up during the day.
Benefits
- 100 percent vegan product
- Fast-acting
- Low-calorie drink
Drawbacks
- You can find hydration tablets with better flavors on the market
- The company makes frequent changes to the flavor
#2 Nuun Sport Electrolyte Drink Tablets
best seller
Nunn is one of the most trusted brands of electrolytes. Although this product is not made exclusively for seniors, it can benefit older adults as it has no side effects. The tablets are made with all-natural ingredients.
You will also like the fact that Nunn Sport tablets have a mild flavor. The taste is not overpowering like other fitness-focused supplements.
You get four flavors: Citrus fruit, Lime lemon, Orange, and Tri-berry. Each container has 10 tablets— one tablet equals one serving. The package contains a total of 40 tablets.
Although the flavors are very much similar to that of GU Energy, this one does not have effervescence (bubbly, fuzzy effect). A lot of people seem to prefer the mild flavor.
This hydration supplement is way better than drinking plain water. It supplies your body with essential salts and minerals that get consumed when you perform your everyday activities.
Lastly, you must know that every tablet contains one gram of sugar. The sugar is extracted from the Stevia plant. Your body processes the Stevia plant sugar in the same way as it does with any other sugar.
This product is suitable for:
Nunn Sport is perfect for seniors who lose a lot of sweat during the day. Maybe you live in a place with warm weather and your body loses tons of water via sweat. This hydration supplement from Nunn helps you stay focused and energized throughout the day.
Benefits
- Easy to carry
- Mild flavor
- Non-GMO, kosher, vegan, and gluten-free ingredients
- Comes in a portable tube-shaped container
Drawbacks
- The tablet takes about 2-3 minutes to dissolve fully
- Has an aftertaste that can be off-putting to some folks
- Has one gram of sugar
#3 MAX-Hydrate Endurance (8 Tubes)
best value
MAX-Hydrate Endurance is a hydration supplement from Trace Minerals Research. This US-based company offers you 8 tubes of hydration tablets for a price you can afford. Each tube contains 10 tablets.
This product is perfect for seniors looking to stock up on their hydration supplements. You can buy it once, and it can last up to two months. For most seniors, one tablet a day is more than enough.
This supplement from Trace Minerals Research gives you energy, endurance, and immunity. It’s not just an electrolyte, it’s a complete package for active seniors looking for a bump in their daily energy levels.
Each tablet (4.5g) contains the following ingredients:
- Calcium (10mg)
- Magnesium (50mg)
- Sodium (150mg)
- Potassium (200mg)
- Carbohydrates (3g)
- Total calories (15)
Unlike other hydration tablet manufacturers, Trace Minerals Research does not chop and change the formula (or the flavor). This product has always been consistent and reliable.
This product is suitable for:
These are one of the best hydration tablets for elderly who suffer from muscle cramps at the end of the day. Dehydration is one of the primary reasons behind muscle fatigue in the elderly. If you are an active person, take one tablet before or during your workout session. It will help you recover well.
Benefits
- 30-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked
- You get good value for the money
- Great taste
- Dissolves quickly
Drawbacks
- The tablet does not come with a pre-pressed line in the middle. It is difficult to break it into two halves
- Has a fizzy effect. Some folks might not like it
#4 Amazing Grass Electrolyte Tablets
best time-tested
No products found.
The Amazing Grass nutrition company was founded in 2002, but this family business has been in operation for the past 50 years. According to an article by BusinessWire, they have been growing, harvesting, and dehydrating the organic greens on their farm in Kansas.
The fizzy green tablets from Amazing Grass are primarily meant to improve hydration in people of all ages (18 and above). Each tablet is loaded with nutrients derived from green vegetables, fruits, and herbs.
You are looking at a time-tested and reliable product. The manufacturer has included the ingredient list in the official product description. Nothing is hidden.
Some of the ingredients include:
- Alkalizing greens blend
- Organic wheatgrass
- Organic barley grass
- Organic alfalfa
- Organic spirulina
- Organic chlorella
- Citric acid
- Dextrose
- Sorbitol
- Natural flavor
- Organic stevia leaf extract
- And much more
Moreover, the flavor can be an important factor when looking for the best hydration tablets for elderly. The Amazing Grass Watermelon Lime tablets dissolve fast and taste great. The flavor is not too intense, and most people seem to like it.
The package includes three containers, with 10 tablets in each container. The container is in the shape of a narrow bottle. It is fully portable. You can easily carry it in your backpack, fanny pack, or in your office bag.
This product is suitable for:
This is a perfect hydration supplement for seniors who feel tired all day long. You should try these out if you are an elderly person who wishes to be more mentally and physically active. By having one tablet a day you will ensure that you are refueling all the lost electrolytes in your body. Additionally, each tablet is loaded with the goodness of natural veggies.
Benefits
- Great taste
- Safe for seniors
- One a day is enough
- Effective against hot dry heat
Drawbacks
- It may make you burp
#5 Hydralyte Electrolyte Drink Tablets
best affordable
Hydralyte is an affordable solution for seniors who suffer from dehydration. This Orange flavored hydration supplement comes in an easy-to-carry container. You get 20 tablets in one tube.
You must put two tablets in a glass of water. Let it sit for a couple of minutes, and the drink will be ready. You don’t need to stir it with a spoon.
The taste is quite mild. Once the tablets are fully dissolved, the color of the water becomes light Orange. Add a couple of cubes of ice, and you have a healthy, natural, and caffeine-free glucose+electrolyte drink.
These hydration tablets are suited for elderly folks wanting to try out hydration supplements for the first time. You can consume this drink first thing in the morning, or whenever you need a pick-me-up.
The manufacturer claims that this solution offers better hydration than water alone. Your body begins to absorb the nutrients in it the moment the solution hits the guts.
Note that Hydralyte is an Australian product. You are looking at one of the most popular hydration tablets for elderly in the sunburnt country. Originally, it was formulated to curb the dehydration caused as a result of the dry Australian climate.
This product is suitable for:
Hydralyte is perfect for seniors folks who experience irritability, fatigue, headaches, and morning fog— when it is caused due to dehydration. This supplement is scientifically formulated with a perfect ratio of glucose and electrolytes. It helps you refuel and rehydrate within no time, so you can get through your day without hurdles.
Editor’s note: Hydralyte contains 3.2 grams of sugar per serving (two tablets). 3.2 grams is a minuscule amount of sugar for a diabetic person. You can always consult your doctor if you are unsure. Or simply pick a sugar-free hydration tablet from other brands discussed in this article.
Benefits
- Australia’s number one hydration supplement brand
- Affordable
- Fast-acting
- Help you recover from a long hard day
Drawbacks
- Two tablets make one serving
- Contains 3.2 grams of sugar, per serving
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Older adults can take beverages containing electrolytes to treat mild cases of dehydration, says Dr. Jill Seladi-Schulman, Ph.D. of Healthline. Electrolytes when taken in moderation are safe for people of all ages. Furthermore, you should always consult a doctor for severe dehydration.
Electrolytes can work wonders for older adults who live in a region with hot and dry weather. Seniors who spend time outdoors in hot and humid conditions can also benefit from taking hydration supplements with electrolytes. This supplement is not just for people who play sports.
It is safe for a person with Dementia to take hydration tablets by dissolving them in water. Caregivers must prepare the solution themselves, and monitor while the person with Dementia gulps the hydration drink down.
A healthy adult needs 1,600 to 2,000 mg of electrolyte water a day, says a report by the National Research Council (US) Subcommittee. You don’t have to fulfill all your daily electrolyte needs from a hydration solution. 1-3 servings of hydration tablets should suffice for an active senior person.
Electrolyte imbalance can occur in a person if they have too much or too little water content in their body. Dry mouth, tiredness, dizziness, vomiting, nausea, etc are some of the symptoms of electrolyte imbalance, confirms a report by the MedicalNewsToday.
It depends on how low you are on your electrolyte levels. It will take a few minutes for a dehydrated person to feel good upon taking electrolytes. The primary job of hydration tablets is to speed up the process of water absorption in the body. On the other hand, it will take more than a day to replace the entire electrolytes in your body.
Summary
As people get older, their thirst detectors begin to function intermittently. They do not realize when they are thirsty. They may go hours without drinking water, which can certainly lead to tiredness, fatigue, irritability, and in some cases more severe health issues. This is why it is important to keep yourself hydrated at all times. An elderly person can stay hydrated by taking hydration tablets with water. These tablets contain natural electrolytes, mixed with food-derived vitamins and minerals. They have no side effects.
