For diarrhea, the best drinks are oral rehydration solutions, water, broth, and electrolyte fluids that replace lost salts and prevent dehydration.
Diarrhea is how your body flushes out irritants, but that flushing also drains water and electrolytes faster than normal. The question of what to drink for diarrhea comes down to one goal: replacing what you’re losing more quickly than you’re losing it. The right choice speeds recovery; the wrong one can keep you dehydrated.
Why Oral Rehydration Solutions Are The Best Pick
Oral rehydration solutions, or ORS, beat every other drink because they replace water AND electrolytes in the balanced ratio your gut can actually absorb. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) notes you can buy ORS at stores that sell medicines or baby supplies, or make rehydration solutions at home.
Ready-made options include Pedialyte, Gastrolyte, and Rehydralyte — all named in official guidance as good choices for restoring what diarrhea strips away.
Good Alternatives: Water, Broth, And What To Skip
Water works fine for mild cases, but it replaces only fluid, not the sodium and potassium you’re losing. Broths and clear soups cover both. Sports drinks like Gatorade help some adults, though the Mayo Clinic notes fruit juices — especially apple juice — can actually worsen diarrhea in certain people.
Drinks to avoid:
- Caffeine — a diuretic that pulls more fluid out
- Alcohol — irritates the gut and speeds dehydration
- High-sugar drinks — draw water into the bowel and make diarrhea worse
Clear broth, ginger ale, diluted juice, weak caffeine-free tea, and coconut water all appear on common “safe” lists, though experts disagree on sugar content and tolerability. When in doubt, stick with ORS and water.
How Much To Drink And How To Sip It
Adults should aim for roughly 8 to 10 eight-ounce glasses of fluid daily during diarrhea, plus about one cup (240 mL) for each loose bowel movement. That replaces both baseline needs and active losses.
How you drink matters as much as what you drink. Stanford Health Care and Memorial Sloan Kettering both recommend small, frequent sips instead of large gulps, which can overwhelm an irritated stomach. Room-temperature liquids often settle better, and carbonated drinks go down easier if you let them go flat first.
| Drink | What It Replaces | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Oral rehydration solution (Pedialyte, Gastrolyte) | Water, sodium, potassium, glucose | Moderate to severe diarrhea, children |
| Water | Fluid only | Mild cases, between ORS doses |
| Clear broth or soup | Fluid, some sodium | Adults who need salt replacement |
| Sports drinks (Gatorade) | Fluid, some electrolytes | Adults with mild diarrhea; watch sugar |
| Coconut water | Fluid, potassium | Mild cases, natural preference |
| Caffeine, alcohol, sugary drinks | Nothing useful | Avoid entirely during diarrhea |
For children, the NIDDK recommends plenty of water plus ORS, broths, and sports drinks. Infants should keep getting breast milk or formula as usual. If vomiting makes liquids hard to keep down, a clinician may need to give IV fluids — that’s a sign to seek medical care, not push through. If you’re comparing store-bought options, our tested guide to the best drinks for diarrhea breaks down which products hold up in real use.
When To See A Doctor
Most diarrhea clears within a day or two, but certain symptoms mean it’s time for medical review: a fever of 102°F or higher, bloody or black stool, or diarrhea lasting more than 24 hours. An inability to keep fluids down, weakness, or signs of dehydration also warrant a call to your doctor.
The bottom line: lead with an oral rehydration solution, sip it slowly, skip caffeine and sugar, and let your gut reset. If you’re stocking up for the next round, check out our roundup of the best rehydration drinks to see which ones earn their spot in your medicine cabinet.
FAQs
Can I make an oral rehydration solution at home?
Yes. A common homemade mix uses 6 teaspoons of sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of salt in one liter of clean water. However, homemade recipes are less standardized than commercial ORS, so official sources recommend store-bought solutions when available.
Is Gatorade good for diarrhea?
Gatorade can help adults with mild diarrhea by replacing fluids and some electrolytes. The catch is sugar content — too much sugar can draw water into the bowel and worsen symptoms. Oral rehydration solutions remain the more reliable choice.
Should I stop drinking milk during diarrhea?
Milk is generally fine in small amounts, though some people become temporarily lactose-intolerant during a bout. If dairy seems to worsen symptoms, switch to ORS, water, or broth until your gut settles.
References & Sources
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. “Treatment for Diarrhea.” Details ORS availability, pediatric guidance, and hydration goals.
- Mayo Clinic. “Diarrhea: Diagnosis and Treatment.” Covers fruit juice risks, sports drinks, and when to seek care.
- Cleveland Clinic. “Diarrhea.” Outlines fluid replacement strategies and red-flag symptoms.