Pocari Sweat sounds more like something you’d wash off your body after a long day of work, but it is actually a hydration drink from Japan.
It’s a sweet, non-carbonated drink that athletes use to replenish electrolytes and fluids after exercise.
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History of Pocari Sweat
Pocari Sweat was created in 1980 by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. in Japan.
The company wanted to create a drink that would help people stay hydrated without having to rely on water alone.
The idea began in a hospital after Rokuro Harima contracted traveler’s diarrhea during a business trip to Mexico.
He wasn’t hungry for solid foods and realized there must be a way to get the nutrients he needed from only the water he was drinking.
Pocari Sweat contains electrolytes like sodium and potassium, which are important for maintaining fluid balance in the body.
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How to Enjoy Pocari Sweat
Pocari Sweat can be enjoyed anytime you need a quick pick-me-up or boost of energy.
It’s especially helpful for endurance athletes who need to replenish electrolytes lost through sweat.
Pocari Sweat is available in bottles, cans, or in powder form. The powder form is added to water and is a lighter, more portable option for carrying around with you.
Pocari Sweat can be found in most convenience stores and supermarkets in Japan. It’s also available in other countries, but may be difficult to find outside of Asia.
You can find bottled Pocari Sweat here.
What is In Pocari Sweat?
Pocari Sweat contains a balance of five essential electrolytes.
These are what will help make you feel better after an intense workout or take the edge off while you’re sick.
Sodium
Sodium is one of the most important electrolytes in the body, as it helps to regulate blood pressure and fluid balance.
Without the drink, you would need to find sodium in table salt, processed meats, and canned soups.
Potassium
Potassium is an electrolyte that is involved in muscle contraction, nerve function, and heart function.
Foods that are high in potassium include bananas, sweet potatoes, and avocados, none of which sound appetizing when you’re not feeling your best.
Calcium
Calcium is an electrolyte that is necessary for bone health and muscle function.
Dairy products, such as milk and yogurt, are good sources of calcium but can upset your stomach, even more, when you’re sick, or hard to digest after a workout.
Magnesium
Magnesium is an electrolyte that is involved in energy production, muscle function, and nerve function.
Dark leafy greens, nuts, and seeds are a few foods that are high in magnesium.
These foods are relatively easy to eat, but it is still easier to drink Pocari Sweat and have all of these electrolytes at the same time.
Chloride
Without chloride, your body would become fluid-filled and bloated.
Chloride helps to regulate the amount of water in our cells so that we don’t retain too much or lose too little!
It is found in many foods, including table salt, processed meats, and canned soups.
Other Uses for Pocari Sweat
It’s not just athletes who can benefit from drinking Pocari Sweat.
The electrolytes in the drink can also help with hangovers, jet lag, and heat exhaustion.
The drink was also invented by someone who was sick, and it only makes sense that Pocari Sweat is a great drink when you’re feeling under the weather or having a hard time keeping food down.
The bonus of staying hydrated and getting some electrolytes will help you feel better faster.
Try It – Pocari Sweat is also a great option for people who are busy working all day and can’t get to their lunch until their break.
The sweetness and lack of carbonation make it easy to drink quickly, so you can get the hydration you need without feeling bloated or full.
Why Is It Named Pocari Sweat?
For something so tasty and useful, why is it named after the liquid we expel when we work out?
The drink was named Pocari Sweat to inform users what it is for.
The main focus of marketing is to get the drink into the hands of anyone working out so they can replace the electrolytes they lost while sweating.
Pocari has no translation to Japanese, but instead, it was chosen because it invokes a feeling of lightness or brightness.
Some even say it reminds them of the blue sky above Japan.
Pocari Sweat Media Appearance
Fun fact time! A can of Pocari Sweat was shown in the background of the movie “Back to the Future II.”
It wasn’t a product placement deal with Pocari that landed the can in the scene, but it was the set designer who thought of incorporating Japanese items in the scenes of “the future” in 2015.
Japanese culture was becoming fairly large in the late 80s; television, manga, and video games were making their way to America and becoming extremely popular.
The set designer thought this popularity would continue and by 2015 Pocari Sweat would be a household drink.
The drink never made it big in the U.S. (likely because of the name), but at least the movie did.
Final Thoughts
Pocari Sweat is a great way to stay hydrated, especially for athletes who need to replenish electrolytes.
The history of Pocari Sweat is interesting, and it’s amazing how such a simple drink can be so helpful for so many different people.
If you’re ever in Japan, make sure to pick up a bottle (or two!) of Pocari Sweat. And if you’re not in Japan, don’t worry – you can still find Pocari Sweat online.
So next time you’re feeling thirsty or are feeling under the weather, reach for some Pocari Sweat!
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