HYPOTONIC, Isotonic & Hypertonic
Osmolality
The more ingredients that are added into a solution (electrolytes, sugar, vitamins, minerals etc), the thicker it’s concentration becomes and the slower it is absorbed into the body.
Osmolality is a measurement of a fluids concentration which is represented by the number of solutes per volume of fluid. The osmolality of the blood and body fluids is approximately 290 mOsmol/L.
- Hypertonic solutions have an osmolality higher than the body (> 300 mOsmol/l)
- Isotonic solutions have an osmolality similar to the body (= 290 mOsmol/l)
- Hypotonic solutions have an osmolality lower than the body (< 280 mOsmol/l) which actively promotes fluid absorption.