Carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions: authorised health claims in Great Britain

Short answer. There are 2 authorised health claims for Carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions on the Great Britain nutrition and health claims register (published 19 May 2026). Each can be used only if your product meets its conditions of use, and in its authorised wording or wording with the same meaning.

The authorised claims, word for word

Authorised claim	Conditions of use
Carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions contribute to the maintenance of endurance performance during prolonged endurance exercise	In order to bear the claim carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions should contain 80 350 kcal/L from carbohydrates, and at least 75 % of the energy should be derived from carbohydrates which induce a high glycaemic response, such as glucose, glucose polymers and sucrose. In addition, these beverages should contain between 20 mmol/L (460 mg/L) and 50 mmol/L (1,150 mg/L) of sodium, and have an osmolality between 200 330 mOsm/kg water.
Carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions enhance the absorption of water during physical exercise	In order to bear the claim carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions should contain 80 350 kcal/L from carbohydrates, and at least 75 % of the energy should be derived from carbohydrates which induce a high glycaemic response, such as glucose, glucose polymers and sucrose. In addition, these beverages should contain between 20 mmol/L (460 mg/L) and 50 mmol/L (1,150 mg/L) of sodium, and have an osmolality between 200 330 mOsm/kg water.

Authorised claim

Conditions of use

Carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions contribute to the maintenance of endurance performance during prolonged endurance exercise

In order to bear the claim carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions should contain 80 350 kcal/L from carbohydrates, and at least 75 % of the energy should be derived from carbohydrates which induce a high glycaemic response, such as glucose, glucose polymers and sucrose. In addition, these beverages should contain between 20 mmol/L (460 mg/L) and 50 mmol/L (1,150 mg/L) of sodium, and have an osmolality between 200 330 mOsm/kg water.

Carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions enhance the absorption of water during physical exercise

The claims and conditions are copied from the register. Where the register contradicts itself and the correct reading is shown instead, our note beside the row says so. Check the register itself before you rely on a claim: it is updated from time to time.

Source

Great Britain nutrition and health claims (NHC) register, Department of Health and Social Care, published 19 May 2026. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Not legal advice. Last updated: 1 November 2026.