Cure Electrolytes Review (2025): My Honest Thoughts After Trying It

As electrolyte powders become more and more popular, I want to keep up with increasing client requests about which formula is best. I've been getting a lot of questions about Cure Electrolytes, a brand found online and in many stores. To provide an accurate and professional recommendation, I gave Cure Hydration Electrolyte Drink Mix a try. 

After taste-testing, studying Cure's ingredients list, and researching its cost and purported health benefits, I decided that Live it Up Vital Minerals is still my top choice for an effective, hydrating electrolyte mix. In this article, I’ll cover:

• How Well Does Cure Hydrate?
• Is Cure Electrolytes Worth a Try?
• What Is Cure?
• Purported Benefits
• Ingredients Breakdown
• Quality and Safety
• Cost Analysis
• Taste Review
• Why I Choose Live it Up Vital Minerals

Cure Electrolytes Quick Facts

• Key ingredients:
  • 3 essential electrolytes: Sodium, potassium, and calcium
  • Organic stevia extract
  • Coconut water powder
  • Pink Himalayan salt
• Flavors: 9 total flavors
  • Berry Pomegranate
  • Strawberry Kiwi
  • Lemonade
  • Ginger Turmeric
  • Grapefruit
  • Watermelon
  • Lime
  • Blood Orange
  • Tropical Punch
• Manufacturer health claims: Advanced hydration and natural energy
• Possible side effects: Cure doesn't list any potential side effects.
• Nutrition Facts: 
  • Calories: 25
  • Carbohydrates: 6 grams
  • Total sugars: 4 grams
• Serving size: 
  • Individual packets: 7.3g–8.3g (depending on flavor)
  • Bulk jar: 7.3g–8.3g (depending on flavor)
• Container size:
  • 14- or 28-serving packets
  • 28-serving bulk jar (scoop)
• Price: 
  • 14 individual packets: $23.99 (or $20.39 with a subscription, $1.45 per serving)
  • 28 individual packets: $42.38 (or $36.02 with a subscription, $1.28 per serving)
  • 28-serving bulk jar: $38.24 (or $32.50 with a subscription, $1.16 per serving)
• Shipping: 
  • Free for US subscriptions or one-time orders $45+
  • $5.99 for US one-time orders under $45
  • International orders: $15–$20

Formula Snapshot: How Well Does Cure Hydrate?

Why ratios matter: Proper hydration isn't only about replenishing electrolytes—it's also affected by the ratios of those electrolytes. The sodium-to-potassium ratio, for instance, is key, as both electrolytes need to stay balanced for regulating how much water moves in and out of your cells. As a dietitian, I look for roughly a 2:1 or 3:1 sodium-to-potassium ratio in electrolytes replacements to maintain fluid balance and contribute to more effective hydration.

Cure's Electrolyte Drink Mix includes three key electrolytes:

• Sodium: 240mg
• Potassium: 300–350mg
• Calcium: 2–6mg

As you can see, the amount of potassium is approximately 1.5 times the amount of sodium. The ratio should contain two to three times the amount of sodium to potassium to avoid fluid loss or fatigue. 

Bottom Line: Is Cure Electrolytes Worth a Try?

Here's what Cure Hydration Electrolyte Drink Mix does well: it features clean, plant-based ingredients like coconut water powder and pink Himalayan salt; essential electrolytes; minimal sugars; and several natural flavors. However, I'd still recommend other electrolyte replacements like Vital Minerals instead, as Cure's sodium-to-potassium ratio is imbalanced, the product is on the expensive side, and it might not provide enough sodium for some individuals.

What Is Cure Hydration?

Cure Founder and CEO Lauren Picasso launched the company in 2019, setting out to create an electrolyte powder that would hydrate efficiently and cleanly. While training for a triathlon, Picasso found that she just didn't feel good after workouts, suffering from headaches and nausea. And, in her opinion, the sugary sweet leading sports drinks on the market just didn't cut it. Instead of relying on what was available, Picasso decided to make her own hydrating electrolyte mix—and Cure Hydration was born. 

The company sells hydration powders targeted to adults, those formulated specifically for kids, and energy drink mixes with caffeine. The Cure Hydration Electrolyte Drink Mix is plant-based, has no artificial ingredients, and showcases the following nutritional profile (with some slight variations across flavors):

• 25 calories
• 0g carbs
• 0g protein
• 4g total sugar (0g added sugars)
• 240mg sodium
• 300–350mg potassium
• 2–6mg calcium

Cure Hydration Pros

• No added sugars, artificial sweeteners, or artificial colors
• No artificial flavors (just natural fruit flavors)
• Third-party tested
• Many different flavors to choose from
• Sold through various sellers

Cure Hydration Cons

• Sodium to potassium ratio is off
• No vitamin C
• On the expensive side
• Contains 4g sugar
• Sodium may be too low for some individuals

Cure Electrolytes Purported Benefits

In the electrolyte drink space, there are a lot of product claims being thrown around, some of which I've found don't stack up. Cure seems to cut through the noise by really claiming only two purported benefits of its hydration mix. Let's find out if its formula supports them.

#1: Advanced Hydration

Cure's formula is based on what's known as "oral rehydration solution"—the World Health Organization's gold standard for hydration—with ratios of water, sugar, and salt "updated for a modern lifestyle." (Oral rehydration solution has been shown to be just as effective as an IV drip.) But the key here is ratios—they need to be balanced to deliver effective hydration. 

While Cure is likely more hydrating than plain water alone due to the inclusion of some hydrating electrolytes, I'm not convinced that it's as hydrating as other electrolyte beverages on the market, such as Live it Up Vital Minerals. That's largely because the ratio of sodium to potassium is off. The optimal ratio of these two minerals to look for is roughly 2:1 or 3:1 sodium to potassium. Cure's formula has potassium at about 1.5 times the amount of sodium, which may mean that cellular fluid won't be balanced.

That said, as a daily hydration option, Cure has a decent hydration offering. Plus, the inclusion of sugar can support the sodium-glucose transport, where the glucose helps deliver salt and water throughout the body. This can facilitate rapid hydration directly.

#2: Energize Naturally

One of Cure's suggestions is that their Electrolyte Drink Mix can be a great way to start the day naturally energized, a claim that I can get behind. Sleeping doesn't always affect hydration levels, but science shows that shorter sleep lengths may lead to inadequate hydration. Replenishing any electrolytes lost throughout the night can help battle fatigue and assist cognitive function. So, Cure's electrolyte mix may indeed contribute to individuals' energy levels in the morning and throughout the day.

Cure Electrolytes Ingredients

Here is the makeup of Cure's plant-based formula.

Electrolytes

Cure contains three of the key electrolytes: sodium, potassium, and calcium. In addition to my concern about the sodium-to-potassium ratio, I'm not convinced that the amount of sodium will be most effective for the recommended scenarios Cure describes: exercising, experiencing nausea or diarrhea, or needing to replenish after drinking alcohol.

Cure lists all of these scenarios as options for drinking the hydration mix, but 240mg of sodium may not be enough for some individuals. For instance, you can lose anywhere from 200mg to 2,000mg of sodium in one liter of sweat, and severe diarrhea and vomiting can require significant replenishment of electrolytes. Exact requirements for staying hydrated vary from person to person, but 240mg of sodium seems like it would suit the everyday user instead of those requiring higher amounts. 

Sweeteners

Cure Hydration doesn't include any added sugars; the 4 total grams of sugar likely come from the coconut water powder and fruit juice powders. Instead, Cure opts for organic stevia extract and monk fruit extract to sweeten the formula. 

I have two concerns with the inclusion of stevia extract: 

• Cure doesn't clarify the type of stevia it uses, such as Reb A. This is concerning considering that not all types are considered Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the FDA. 
• Stevia can produce a bitter, unpleasant aftertaste for some people, so I'd recommend other hydrating drink mixes for sensitive individuals.
• Other Ingredients

Rounding out the ingredients list in Cure’s clean formula are coconut water powder, organic flavors, natural fruit flavors, non-GMO citric acid, pink Himalayan salt, sodium citrate, and organic juice powders (the specifics differ by flavor). I was happy to see no artificial additives or fillers here.

Cure Electrolytes Quality and Safety

Cure Hydration products have high quality standards and are third-party tested for heavy metals, allergens, and microbes. But you don't have to just take their word for it; Cure lists the results for all of the elements that are tested, and the full certificate of analysis can be downloaded.

Products are free of allergens, including gluten, peanuts, fish, soy, shellfish, egg, and sesame. The hydration mixes do include coconut water, so individuals with coconut allergies may want to be cautious.

Cure Hydration Electrolyte Drink Mix is also Non-GMO Project Verified, Certified Gluten-Free, vegan, and kosher.

Cure Electrolytes Cost Analysis

When considering adding a new hydrating drink mix to your daily regimen, cost is likely a factor. Here, I've broken down how Cure's current prices, shipping, and return policies so that you can make a more informed decision before you grab a packet or container.

• 14 individual packets: A one-time purchase is $23.99 ($1.71/serving). A subscription brings the price down to $20.39 ($1.45/serving). 
• 28 individual packets: A one-time purchase is $42.38 ($1.51/serving). A subscription brings the price down to $36.02 ($1.28/serving). 
• 28-serving jar: A one-time purchase is $38.24 ($1.36/serving). A subscription brings the price down to $32.50 ($1.16/serving). 
  

Cure is one of the more expensive hydration options on the market. For context, Liquid I.V. is $1.56/serving ($1.09 with a subscription) and Live it Up Vital Minerals is $1.49/serving ($0.99 with a subscription). The high cost likely sways some people. Plus, if you're intending to take these electrolytes daily, you'll need to purchase more than one jar or set of packets, as one won't get you through most months.

Subscription orders within the U.S. enjoy free shipping, while one-time orders only get free shipping on purchases of $45 or more. Cure's return policy is pretty limited, only offering refunds on one-time orders of specific products.

Cure Electrolytes Taste Review

Cure's plant-based electrolyte powder comes in 9 flavors (bulk jars are offered in only 6 flavors):

1. Berry Pomegranate
2. Lemonade
3. Ginger Turmeric
4. Watermelon
5. Grapefruit
6. Lime
7. Blood Orange
8. Strawberry Kiwi
9. Tropical Punch

I tried Berry Pomegranate and found the flavors to be on the lighter side—and for a higher-priced electrolyte powder, I expected it to be more robust and flavor-forward. It’s a bit bland in my opinion, but many people like the natural fruit flavors overall.

"I really want to like this a lot, but [the] taste is just so-so. It’s not bad, but kind of flat tasting. I also think that it’s a lot of money for what you get." ~Amazon Reviewer

I expected the powder to be too sweet for me due to the inclusion of both stevia and monk fruit. But Cure isn't as overwhelmingly sweet as other brands, like Liquid I.V, that use cane sugar. Of course, the sweetness level can be subjective, and many Cure Electrolytes reviews note that there's a good balance of sweet, salty, and sour.

However, I did find the aftertaste a bit unpleasant, likely due to the inclusion of stevia. This can be a personal preference, though, as lots of Cure Electrolytes reviews I read mentioned that there was no aftertaste.

It's important to touch on texture, too. Cure's formula does clump up after adding to water but after a good amount of shaking or stirring, the powder dissolves well.

Why I Choose Live it Up Vital Minerals

While Cure Hydration may be a solid choice for some people, tastes nice, and has a quality, junk-free formula, it misses the mark in a couple areas, including sodium and potassium levels and price. 

For an affordable electrolyte mix that delivers effective daily hydration, I recommend Live it Up Vital Minerals. It's less than $1 per serving with a subscription, features an optimal amount of sodium, and provides a good balance of sodium to potassium. Additionally, the formula offers more calcium per serving than Cure Hydration and goes above and beyond by adding vitamin C to support cellular hydration.

Vital Minerals contains no artificial sweeteners or flavors, GMOs, gluten, soy, or nuts; it's third-party tested; and it's GMP-certified. Plus, the flavor profiles taste great!

Of course, deciding on the best hydrating drink mix for everyday life depends on your unique health concerns and goals. But Vital Minerals electrolyte powder is worth a try for daily, flavorful hydration.

Cure Electrolytes Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the common questions I get asked by clients regarding Cure Hydration.

Is Cure Electrolytes good for you?

Determining if Cure Electrolytes are good for you depends on your unique situation. Optimal hydration levels rely on several factors, such as exercise intensity and frequency, climate, medical conditions, and more. That said, Cure may be good for daily use, as its sodium levels aren't as high as other electrolyte powders and it includes way less sugar than leading sports drinks. Still, my suggested hydration mix is Vital Minerals for its more balanced electrolyte blend. 

Can I drink Cure Electrolytes every day?

According to Cure's website, you can drink Cure Electrolytes every day, whether it's to start your day, if you're working out, or when you feel dehydrated.

Is Cure Hydration safe?

Determining if Cure's plant-based formula is safe for your body is up to you and your healthcare professional. However, Cure is free of several allergens, is Non-GMO Project verified, is third-party tested, and doesn't contain any added sugars, artificial sweeteners, or fillers. 

Is Cure good for hydration?

Cure likely supports more rapid hydration than water alone, but the formula's sodium-to-potassium ratio isn't balanced, which may mean that cells aren't staying hydrated. However, it does contain electrolytes and glucose, which can support more rapid hydration and certain bodily functions.

What is the healthiest hydration drink?

The healthiest hydration drink is the one that helps you reach your hydration goals safely, whether that's everyday hydration or support intense endurance activities. In my opinion, Live it Up Vital Minerals is the best hydrating drink mix because of its balanced formula, optimal sodium and potassium ratio, and delicious flavors. Plus, it's made with real ingredients, no added sugar, and comes with an affordable price.

References

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