Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS)
Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) is a simple, life-saving drink designed to quickly replenish fluids and electrolytes lost due to dehydration. Its classic ingredients are water, salt (sodium chloride), and sugar (glucose), often with added potassium and citrate, and it is a globally recognized public health intervention originating from scientific research in the mid-20th century.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
ORS is not a source of fat or protein but is primarily a carbohydrate-based solution (from the glucose) designed for rapid absorption. It provides essential electrolytes like sodium and potassium, with a typical serving containing around 50-75 calories.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 50 kcal |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbs | 13.5 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 13.5 g |
| Sodium | 750 mg |
| Sodium | 750 mg |
| Potassium | 350 mg |
| Chloride | 650 mg |
| Citrate | 290 mg |
| Glucose | 13.5 g |
| Osmolality | 245 mOsm/L |
Per 1 liter (1000 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
What makes ORS unique is its scientifically calibrated ratio of salts to sugar, which uses the glucose to actively pull sodium (and thus water) into the intestines, a principle that has saved millions of lives from dehydration caused by illnesses like cholera and severe diarrhea.
