By Ishita Roy

Copyright timesnownews

Instagram reels had prepared me for Japan’s iconic places to visit, but what it didn’t tell me was that I was about to witness the hottest summers of my life, in September! As surprising as it may sound to you, and as it was to me too to witness, Japan is hot. An eastern country, whose flag also symbolises it as the Land of the Rising Sun, of course the sun was right above my head, and another thing that did not leave me was constant dehydration. So, how did I, or perhaps, how does anyone cope up with the forever shining sun of Japan? The answer is in a drink that binds the country together – Pocari Sweat. As unappetizing as it sounds, the drink is a must have. It is not a sports drink, not Gatorade, or Red Bull. In fact, the drink has no chemical sugar, preservatives, caffeine, colour or gas. The drink tastes and contains what it sounds like – sweat. When you are constantly out in the sun, and there is no other way to reach your destination, even if it is a bus stop or a metro station, other than walking, and you are losing water from your body, this drink becomes your saviour. This is what keeps the whole of Japan on its feet, out and about. The drink quite literally mimics human perspiration. For instance, the human sweat contains .5mEq/l Magnesium ION, 6mEq/l Calcium Ion and Potassium Ion and 16mEq/l Sodium Ion. The drink too is made of the same components, where .5mEq/l is for Magnesium Ion, 1mEq/l Calcium Ion, 5mEq/l Potassium Ion and 21mEq/l Sodium Ion, rest, of course is water. After I discovered this go-to drink, it became my daily ritual to drink it before leaving home, carry it with me all around the city and drink a cup once I am back home. Thanks to vending machines and convenient stores that are located at almost every two-steps, I could easily get the literally life-saving drink anywhere, in case I forgot to carry it with me. But, How Did This Drink Even Come To Be? The story began some 40 years ago, when an Otsuka- the Japanese pharmaceutical company, researcher, far from home in Mexico, had fallen ill with severe dehydration. The doctor advised him to replenish water and nutrients but handed him only a fizzy soda. That frustration planted a seed: what if there were a drink designed to give the body exactly what it needs to recover from lost fluids? Soon after, another moment of inspiration struck. The same researcher noticed a surgeon rehydrating with an IV pouch after a long operation. The connection was clear: if hospitals trusted IVs to restore balance, perhaps there could be a safe, drinkable version for everyday life. With Otsuka already a leader in IV solutions, the idea began to take shape. A 40-Year Old Drink That Keeps Japan Out And About The 1980s brought a boom in jogging culture. While the world leaned toward sports drinks, the researchers at Otsuka envisioned something broader: a beverage for daily life, whether you were commuting, gardening, or simply walking under the summer heat. But creating the drink was anything but easy. They discovered that sweat from daily activity was different from sweat during intense sports, the salt concentration was lower. That meant the formula had to be gentler, too. The early versions, however, were bitter and hard to drink. What followed was three years of persistence and over 1,000 test products. The breakthrough came when electrolytes were blended with citrus flavors, cutting through the bitterness. Two final versions were tested: one sugary and one light. To decide, a researcher even climbed a mountain, drinking both at the peak. The verdict was clear: the lightly sweetened version was far more refreshing after exertion. Finally when the drink was launched in 1980, it wasn’t about being flashy. It was about feeling right. Made with a balance of water and electrolytes similar to the body’s own fluids, it helps hydration happen faster, up to 2.2 times quicker than regular water. One sip, and instantly, you are good to go! What Else Can You Try In Japan? If you are in Japan, do not miss out on canned or bottled coffee. They are ready-to-drink and can be conveniently found in almost everywhere. They are sold in vending machines and in convenient stores too. Customized smoothies. Japan means going to Lawsons, 7/11 or Family Marts and you can pick your own fruit bowl, and make your own smoothie, right then and there. It is fresh and customized as per your taste, right in front of you. Sake. It is a Japanese alcoholic beverage which is made from fermented rice, but is best drank as ‘Lemon Sour’. This cocktail is available everywhere. It is light in colour, non-carbonated, and even has a sweet flavour, a smooth drink to sip, with a pinch of lemon for freshness. After all the walk out in the sun, you will need it. Fun Fact: Everything is available in can! If you feel that big portions are not for you, get cans! Starting from coffee, tea, to even alcoholic drinks like Sake, all are available in can for you to try and then go for the bigger pack!