Pedialyte Electrolyte Drink Mix (Berry Frost) Review 2026: Review
Checks out. — Legitimate
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"Formula 'hydrates' better than sports drinks/water"
Chart shows 330mg sodium per serving, notably higher than typical sports drinks, matching oral rehydration science
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"Zero sugar, low calorie hydration mix"
Label confirms 0g sugar and 5 calories per serving, sweetened instead with sucralose and Ace-K
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"Zinc and magnesium included 'for immune support'"
3.7mg zinc and 55mg magnesium are far below doses used in immune-function studies
Consumer advice
Use it as intended: for rehydration during illness, heat, or intense exercise, not as a daily wellness drink. If cost matters, generic electrolyte powders or store-brand pediatric rehydration solutions have nearly identical formulas for less money. Don't buy into "immune support" framing—that's a minor add-on, not the main reason to use this product.
Claims vs Evidence
MODEST4 claims assessed. These grades assess the marketing claims, not the whole product. See each explanation for the evidence and its limits.
"hydrates with 3 key electrolytes: sodium, chloride, and potassium"
Supported
Electrolytes plus fluid do rehydrate; this is standard oral rehydration science
Based on: Salt, Potassium Citrate, Sodium Citrate
Source: WHO Oral Rehydration Therapy guidelines
"zero sugar"
Supported
Label confirms 0g total sugars, sweetened artificially instead
Based on: Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium
Source: Internal: label review
"zinc and magnesium for immune support"
Stretch
Trace doses; unlikely to meaningfully affect immune function
Based on: Zinc Gluconate, Magnesium Citrate
Source: Examine.com zinc/immunity overview
"higher sodium than sports drinks (per chart)"
Supported
330mg sodium per serving is genuinely higher than typical sports drinks
Based on: Sodium Citrate, Salt
Source: Internal: label comparison
3 supported · 1 stretch
Signals
- Shows actual ingredient doses
Ingredients
Based on peer-reviewed research from PubMed and Examine.com
Mineral salt used topically and in rinses. Limited evidence for nasal and oral wound care benefits.
Research-backed dose: WHO ORS uses ~2.6g/L sodium chloride equivalent
In this product: part of 330mg sodium total
Potassium Citrate
Essential mineral. Limited direct supplement trial data; one RCT suggests modest blood pressure support.
Research-backed dose: 300 mg/day (supplement form); 3,500–4,700 mg/day total dietary intake per general guidelines
In this product: provides 190mg potassium
Magnesium Citrate
Essential mineral with roles in mood, nerve function, and heart health. Evidence is mixed depending on the condition.
Research-backed dose: 250-350 mg/day based on study doses
In this product: 55mg magnesium
Alkalizing salt used in sports and medicine. Modest evidence for buffering acid during intense exercise.
Research-backed dose: 0.3 g/kg body weight for exercise performance; variable for medical uses
In this product: part of total sodium 330mg
Zinc Gluconate
Essential mineral with clinical support for gut health, diarrhea treatment, and immune function.
Research-backed dose: 10-20 mg/day based on study doses
In this product: 3.7mg zinc
Corn Maltodextrin
Common food additive used as a placebo in clinical trials. Not a therapeutic supplement.
Acesulfame Potassium
Essential minerals that regulate hydration, nerve function, and muscle contraction. Critical for recovery after heavy exercise.
In this product: less than 2% of formula
Calcium Silicate
Essential minerals that regulate hydration, nerve function, and muscle contraction. Critical for recovery after heavy exercise.
In this product: less than 2%
Safety & side effects
What NIH says about the ingredients in this product. This describes the ingredients, not tests of this product, and it is not medical advice. Ask a doctor or pharmacist first if you take medication, are pregnant or nursing, or have a health condition.
Potassium
This page says little about potassium safety. The section on risks from excessive potassium is empty, and no upper limit is given. It does warn that some medications can affect potassium status in dangerous ways.
Avoid or ask a doctor first if
- The recommended intakes don't apply to people whose bodies clear potassium poorly, for example because of kidney disease or certain medications.
- People taking medications that affect potassium should talk with their health care providers about their potassium intake and status.
Medication interactions
- Several types of medications can affect potassium status in ways that could be dangerous.
Source: NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Potassium: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals
Magnesium
Magnesium from food poses no health risk in healthy people, because the kidneys clear the excess. High doses from supplements or medications can cause diarrhea, nausea and abdominal cramping, and very high doses can lead to toxicity.
Possible side effects
- High doses from supplements or medications can cause diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramping.
- Magnesium carbonate, chloride, gluconate, and oxide are the forms most commonly reported to cause diarrhea.
Serious risks
- Very high doses can lead to magnesium toxicity, with low blood pressure, vomiting, difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat, cardiac arrest and other signs.
- A few cases of fatal hypermagnesemia have been reported.
- Very large doses of magnesium-containing laxatives and antacids have been associated with magnesium toxicity.
- The risk of toxicity increases with impaired kidney function or kidney failure.
Avoid or ask a doctor first if
- People with impaired kidney function or kidney failure face higher risk of magnesium toxicity.
- People taking medications regularly should discuss their magnesium intake with their health care providers.
Medication interactions
- Magnesium may interact with oral bisphosphonates, tetracyclines, and quinolone antibiotics.
- Some medications, including diuretics and proton pump inhibitors, can affect magnesium status.
Upper limit: 350 mg a day for adults 19+. This label lists 55mg magnesium.
Source: NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Magnesium: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals
Zinc
Zinc from food is unlikely to cause toxicity. High intakes, mostly from supplements, can cause stomach and other symptoms, and doses of 50 mg or more over weeks can interfere with copper absorption. The adult upper limit is 40 mg.
Possible side effects
- High zinc intakes can cause nausea, dizziness, headaches, gastric distress, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
Serious risks
- Doses of 50 mg or more taken for weeks can interfere with copper absorption, reduce immune function, and lower HDL cholesterol.
- Very high supplemental doses (142 mg/day) might interfere with magnesium absorption and disrupt magnesium balance.
- According to a few reports, overuse of zinc-containing denture adhesive creams can lead to neurological symptoms and anemia.
Avoid or ask a doctor first if
- The upper limits don't apply to people receiving zinc for medical treatment, who should be under a physician's care.
- Zinc-free denture adhesive formulations are available to prevent the effects linked to zinc-containing creams.
Medication interactions
- Zinc may interact with quinolone antibiotics, tetracycline antibiotics, and penicillamine.
- Some diuretics can lower serum zinc by increasing zinc excretion in urine.
- People taking medications regularly should discuss their zinc status with their health care providers.
Upper limit: 40 mg a day for adults 19+. This label lists 3.7mg zinc.
Source: NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Zinc: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals
What you're actually paying for
This is a multi-ingredient blend. Comparable options: Generic store-brand electrolyte powders, DripDrop, or a homemade oral rehydration solution (salt, sugar, water).
Worth paying for
- hydrates with 3 key electrolytes: sodium, chloride, and potassium
- zero sugar
- higher sodium than sports drinks (per chart)
What's marketing
- zinc and magnesium for immune support
- Zinc and magnesium included 'for immune support'
Research sources: PubMed · Examine.com
Analyzed product: https://pedialyte.com/products/electrolyte-drink-mix/berry-frost
Analysis generated: 2026-09-01 · Engine v1.0.0
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pedialyte Electrolyte Drink Mix (Berry Frost) a scam?
Pedialyte Electrolyte Drink Mix (Berry Frost) does not appear to be a scam. Our analysis found the claims are generally supported by the ingredients.
What are the ingredients in Pedialyte Electrolyte Drink Mix (Berry Frost)?
Pedialyte Electrolyte Drink Mix (Berry Frost) contains 8 ingredients including Salt, Potassium Citrate, Magnesium Citrate, Sodium Citrate, Zinc Gluconate.
Does Pedialyte Electrolyte Drink Mix (Berry Frost) actually work?
Yes, Pedialyte Electrolyte Drink Mix (Berry Frost) can work for its intended purpose. 3 of 4 claims are fully supported.
Does Pedialyte Electrolyte Drink Mix (Berry Frost) have side effects?
NIH summaries of the ingredients in Pedialyte Electrolyte Drink Mix (Berry Frost) note these possible effects. Potassium: This page says little about potassium safety. The section on risks from excessive potassium is empty, and no upper limit is given. It does warn that some medications can affect potassium status in dangerous ways. Magnesium: High doses from supplements or medications can cause diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramping. Zinc: High zinc intakes can cause nausea, dizziness, headac