How electrolyte drinks harm kidsPre-packed electrolyte drinks that do not use the WHO-recommended formula do not have the same effect as ORS. In the face of criticism over high sugar content, some brands have launched low-sugar, stevia, and zero-sugar versions of their flavoured electrolyte drinks. Artificial sweeteners fail to activate the ORS mechanism and can, in fact, cause bloating or vomiting, leaving children inadequately rehydrated, Dr Sivaranjani said. Dr Sivaranjani is now investigating if brands selling ready-to-drink packs of WHO-recommended ORS are using artificial sweeteners as excipients (to enhance palatability). If it is not the WHO-mandated ORS, we don’t want people, especially parents, to mistake it for ORS,” Dr Sivaranjani said.