Glycerol may help electrolyte drinks hold water with less sodium
NCT ID NCT06654557
First seen Sep 18, 2026 ยท Last updated Sep 18, 2026
Summary
Researchers are testing whether adding glycerol to an electrolyte beverage helps healthy, active adults stay hydrated better than a placebo drink. The study enrolls men and women aged 18 to 50 who exercise at least three days a week. Participants drink the test beverages, and researchers measure changes in body weight, urine output, and blood sodium over about two hours to see how well the body retains fluids.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- glycerol added to an electrolyte beverage
- What this could lead to
- If glycerol helps the body hold onto fluids, sports drink makers could cut sodium while keeping hydration benefits, which may matter for people who want less salt.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, short study in healthy, active adults at rest, so the results may not apply to athletes, older people, or real-world exercise. Glycerol can cause headaches or stomach upset in some people.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
89 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Sep 2024
- Finished
-
Jun 2025
- Lead sponsor
-
A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 to 50 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: Subject is male or female * If female, subject is not pregnant (based on self-report) * Subject is 18-50 years of age, inclusive Subject is at least recreationally active (engaged in light to moderate intensity, intermittent, or steady-state exercise at least 3 days per week for at least 30 min at a time) * Subject does not smoke (or has quit for at least 6 months) * Subject is not taking medication that may interfere with the study (e.g., diuretics) * Subject has no health conditions that would interfere with the study, As indicated on the general health questionnaire (GHQ), e.g. cardiovascular, renal, or metabolic diseases * Subject is not allergic to adhesives (e.g., medical tape) * Subject is not allergic to kiwi-strawberry flavoring * Subject is willing to avoid alcohol consumption 24 hours prior to visit(s) * Subject is willing to fast overnight (\~8-12 hours) * Subject is willing to refrain from vigorous exercise for 24 hours (light physical activity only) * Subject is willing to eat the exact same food the day prior to each visit to the laboratory * Able to speak, write, and read English * Provision of written consent to participate Exclusion Criteria: * Subject has participated in a clinical trial within the past 30 days * Subject has participated in any PepsiCo trial within past 6 months * Subject has a condition or is taking medication that the investigator believes would interfere with his/her ability to provide informed consent, comply with the study protocol, which might confound the interpretation of the study results, or put the person at undue risk * Subject is employed by, or has a parent, guardian, or other immediate family member employed by a company that manufactures any products that compete with any Gatorade product. If subject is unsure if a company would be considered a competitor to Gatorade, they will be asked to please let the study investigator know the name of the other company and the nature of their relationship to that company before they sign the informed consent.
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
PepsiCo R&D, Gatorade Sports Science Institute
Valhalla, New York, 10595, United States
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