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Dehydration is a complication resulting from a number of disease states, especially those in which large volumes of fluid are lost, such as diarrhea. In these conditions, the body's ability to maintain suitable blood concentrations of salts is compromised (electrolyte imbalance). A variety of solutions have been used to rehydrate patients suffering from dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. The relative concentration of nutrients, electrolytes, and water in these solutions has not been optimized. Animal experiments aimed at elucidating the most effective combination of constituents are difficult to interpret because of profound differences between animal and human intestinal transport of substances. To determine the effect of different concentrations of electrolytes and sugars (glucose) on the efficacy of rehydrating solutions, experiments were performed on 30 healthy subjects. Five different solutions were used: one recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), a commercially available solution, and three different experimental solutions. The solution that caused maximal water absorption was a hypotonic (less concentrated than ordinary physiological fluids such as blood) bicarbonate-free mixture containing 80 millimoles per liter glucose (slightly less than normal blood levels). The commercially available solution was significantly poorer than the others in promoting water absorption, and the WHO-recommended solution was rated about average compared with the other solutions. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)