ABBOTT PARK, Ill., Dec. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Because supporting the immune system is top of mind for many people, Abbott (NYSE: ABT) is launching a new Pedialyte formulation specifically designed with key nutrients to support immune health. Pedialyte with Immune Support was developed for consumers looking for key immune-supporting nutrients in their hydration solution. In addition to an optimal balance of electrolytes and glucose found in Abbott's Pedialyte rehydration products, Pedialyte with Immune Support includes prebiotics, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc, which are nutrients specifically chosen because of their role in supporting the immune system.  

More than 50 years ago, when Pedialyte's original formulations were created, the products were designed to help sick children recover from dehydration symptoms by delivering much-needed fluid and electrolytes to support recovery. But with a focus on rapidly growing hydration needs among consumers, including adults, Abbott leveraged its expertise in science-led nutrition innovation to expand its suite of products to address the evolving needs.

"At Abbott, everything we do is driven by consumers and their healthcare needs," said Daniel Salvadori, executive vice president of Abbott's nutrition business. "Understanding consumers' concerns this year, our team of nutrition scientists developed an advanced hydration formula with key nutrients designed to support the immune system, helping us show up for people when it matters most and provide the reliability they've counted on for so long." 

Hydration is an often-overlooked element of overall health and can help during recovery from illnesses. Pedialyte with Immune Support is one of four new Pedialyte products designed to meet a variety of hydration needs and is easily found in the pharmacy department in retail locations or online.

"Making changes to our diets is a good way to get nutrients that support the immune system because about 70 percent of our immune system is in the digestive tract, making nutrition a critical aspect of immune health," said Barbara Marriage, nutrition science lead for pediatric nutrition at Abbott. "Drinking Pedialyte with Immune Support can help people recover from illness, helping to prevent dehydration while also adding immune-supporting nutrients to the diet."

Pedialyte's new formulas include:

• Pedialyte with Immune Support, available in mixed berry and fruit punch, is a unique formulation with four key nutrients to support the immune system, including zinc, and vitamins B12, C and E.
• Pedialyte Sport, available in new fruit punch and lemon-lime flavors, has three times the electrolytes and one-fourth the sugar of leading sports drinks[1] with five electrolytes, including sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride, and phosphate, designed for everyday and elite athletes participating in rigorous training and exercise programs.
• Pedialyte Organic, available in crisp lemon berry and grape, is designed to prevent mild to moderate dehydration, is USDA-certified organic with no artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners and includes zinc for immune support.
• Pedialyte Electrolyte Water with Zero Sugar, an electrolyte water drink available in berry frost and fruit punch, contains 50% more electrolytes than leading sports drinks and electrolyte waters[2], zinc for immune support and three key electrolytes: sodium, chloride and potassium—all without sugar, artificial flavors or colors.

New Pedialyte products are available in one-liter bottles and/or powder pack options. Pedialyte Sport and Pedialyte Electrolyte Water with Zero Sugar are located in the sports nutrition aisle. Pedialyte Organic can be found with Pedialyte's traditional products in the children's aisle, and Pedialyte with Immune Support can be found in the pharmacy department. Abbott's full suite of Pedialyte products can be found in-store and online through most major retailers, including Walmart, Target and Amazon.

About Abbott:
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 107,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/abbott-/, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews.

[1] Pedialyte Sport has 1380 mg sodium and no more than 14g sugar per liter; leading sports drinks have ~460 mg sodium and ~58 g sugar per liter
[2] 30 mEq sodium electrolytes per liter vs 20 mEq in leading sports drinks and electrolyte waters

SOURCE Abbott