Dr. Berg Electrolyte Powder Review: Clean Hydration or Clever Marketing?

Dr. Berg is a well-known name in the health and wellness community, but how does his electrolyte powder hold up on closer inspection?

By Rachel Gargano, MS, RD, CSSD, CBS

— On Oct 22, 2025

Dr. Berg Electrolyte Powder Review: Clean Hydration or Clever Marketing?

In this article:

As a registered dietitian, my clients come to me with all their questions about hydration supplements. For example, do you need to take electrolyte powders every day? Or only after physical activity? And which products offer the best electrolyte balance and wellness support?

That’s why I've started sampling and researching electrolyte powders myself. Dr. Berg's Electrolyte Powder has been on my list for a while, so I was eager to try it and see how it compares to my all-time favorite option, Live it Up Vital Minerals. Spoiler alert: it doesn't.

In this article, I'll address the following:

How Well Does Dr. Berg Hydrate?
Is Dr. Berg's Electrolyte Power Worth a Try?
What Is Dr. Berg's Electrolyte Power?
Purported Health Benefits
Ingredient Breakdown
Quality and Safety
Cost Analysis
Taste Review
Why I Choose Live it Up Vital Minerals

Dr. Berg Electrolyte Powder Quick Facts

Key ingredients:
- 6 core minerals: Sodium, magnesium, potassium, calcium, chloride, iron
- Trace mineral complex
- Citric acid, natural flavors, and stevia leaf extract
Flavors: 9 options
- Raspberry and lemon
- Orange
- Strawberry lemonade
- Lemonade
- Pomegranate and cherry
- Tangerine
- Grape
- Tropical
- Cucumber Lime
Purported Benefits: Helps meet daily hydration needs, aids muscle function and recovery, and supports athletic performance
Side effects: Stomach upset, acid reflux, muscle weakness, and bloating
Nutrition facts: One scoop = 6g
- Calories: 15
- Total carbohydrates: 3g
- Total sugar: not disclosed
- Dietary fiber: 1g
Container Size:
- 50-serving tub
- 100-serving tub
- Variety pack with 28 sticks (28 servings), only comes with 7 flavors
Price: $0.72 per serving for a one-time purchase of a 50-serving tub or $0.65 per serving with a subscription
Shipping: Free shipping only for orders above $160

Formula Snapshot: How Well Does Dr. Berg Hydrate?

Why ratios matter: There's more to hydration than just the inclusion of electrolytes. The electrolytes also need to be in balance with one another to ensure they offer optimal hydration support.

Dr. Berg Electrolyte Powder includes the following:

Potassium: 1000 mg
Magnesium: 120mg
Trace mineral complex: 100mg
Calcium: 75mg
Chloride: 60mg
Sodium: 40mg

I typically look for a 2:1 ratio of sodium to potassium, but as you can see, these numbers are way off. There is arguably a lot of potassium and very little sodium, resulting in a whopping 1:25 ratio. These numbers represent a severe imbalance, which raises questions about its ability to provide adequate hydration.

Bottom Line: Is Dr. Berg Electrolyte Powder Worth a Try?

I applaud Dr. Berg Electrolyte Powder for including five vital electrolytes and avoiding added sugar and artificial sweeteners. It’s priced affordably and comes in a variety of fruity flavors. However, I don't believe this product contains the appropriate electrolyte balance for hydration plus too little sodium. Furthermore, while the powder does include some undisclosed trace minerals, I wish it contained vitamin C and dissolved better, as seen with Live it Up Vital Minerals.

What Is Dr. Berg?

Dr. Eric Berg is the man behind Dr. Berg products. Perhaps best known for his Healthy Keto® diet, Dr. Berg is a health and wellness educator who has created a line of supplements designed to support optimal health. Dr. Berg's products do not include artificial additives or preservatives, as the brand is committed to supporting "natural health through science-backed nutrition."

In addition to its selection of electrolyte powders, the brand also offers multivitamins, collagen peptides, greens powders, and even beauty products, such as biotin shampoo and hair serum.

Dr. Berg Pros

Nine fruity flavors
Affordable
Contains five essential electrolytes and a trace mineral complex
Allergen-friendly, vegan, gluten-free, and sugar-free
GMO-free
Manufactured in GMP-certified facilities and third-party tested
Comes in a tub or a pack of travel sticks
Available on Amazon

Dr. Berg Cons

40mg of sodium may be too low for full electrolyte support
Sodium-to-potassium ratio is very imbalanced
Customers describe the flavors as overly sweet
Does not dissolve well
Free shipping is only available on orders over $160
Does not contain any vitamins like vitamin C

Dr. Berg Purported Benefits

Now, let's discuss some of the health benefits associated with this sugar-free electrolyte powder.

#1: Optimize Hydration

First and foremost, Dr. Berg's electrolyte powder is designed to support hydration. The good news is that this powder includes five essential electrolytes (potassium, sodium, chloride, magnesium, and calcium), which are responsible for regulating fluid balance and rehydrating the body. These electrically charged minerals regulate chemical reactions in your body and help ensure there is adequate fluid both inside and outside your cells.

While I am pleased that this formula includes vital electrolytes, I was discouraged when I looked at the ratio of electrolytes to one another. I believe a 2:1 sodium to potassium ratio is ideal for optimal hydration; however, in this case, the ratio is 1:25, which leads me to question the effectiveness of this powder in supporting hydration. The formula also has a mere 40mg of sodium, which is likely too low to have an impact.

#2: Aid Muscle Function and Recovery

Dr. Berg's electrolyte powder contains calcium and potassium, which are essential for muscle function and recovery. Calcium and potassium work together to maintain proper fluid balance, supporting muscle contractions and nerve signals. Without sufficient levels of potassium and calcium, you may experience muscle spasms, weakness, or cramps.

The formula also contains magnesium, which supports muscle recovery and relaxation. Studies have shown that this electrolyte may help reduce muscle soreness and improve performance.

Did You Know? Electrolytes are electrical conductors, meaning they enable the flow of electrical currents, which helps facilitate cellular communication. For instance, the electrical signals help power your nervous system, managing brain function and muscle control.

#3: Supports Athletic Performance

You sweat after engaging in an intense workout, which means you may need to replenish those lost fluids with electrolytes.

Electrolytes help maintain fluid balance, and they can also aid in rehydration. Sodium, in particular, helps increase fluid absorption and retention, allowing your body to recover and regain fluid balance, especially after a workout. However, with only 40mg of sodium, which is much less than many other hydration brands, I wonder if that's enough salt to contribute to hydration.

Despite the low sodium levels, this electrolyte does include calcium, potassium, and magnesium. As previously discussed, these minerals may aid muscle function and recovery, further supporting athletic performance. The formula also contains magnesium, which may help increase your energy levels by facilitating the conversion of nutrients into energy.

Did You Know? If you're dehydrated and low on electrolytes, it can negatively impact your athletic performance. Aside from feeling thirsty, dehydration can cause exhaustion, muscle cramps, and lower your endurance. It can even cause headaches and irritability.

Dr. Berg Ingredients

Next, let's review some of the main ingredients in this electrolyte powder.

Potassium (as potassium citrate): Supports fluid balance and muscle function.
Magnesium (as magnesium citrate): Aids muscle function, energy production, and immune function.
Chloride (from pink Himalayan salt): Maintains fluid balance, muscle function, and pH levels.
Sodium (from pink Himalayan salt): Regulates fluid balance, hydration, and muscle function.
Premium trace mineral complex: The formula includes a trace mineral complex, but it does not disclose the specific trace minerals in the blend.
Sweeteners: The sugar-free formula contains stevia leaf extract, which can create overwhelming sweetness and a bitter aftertaste.
Flavors: The powder contains citric acid and natural flavors to further enhance the taste.

Additional minerals were noticeably absent from the ingredient list. I would have liked to at least see vitamin C added to the formula.

Dr. Berg Quality and Safety

The Dr. Berg brand is committed to quality and safety, as it produces all of its products in a GMP- and NSF-certified facility. Because this electrolyte powder is classified as a supplement and therefore, not regulated by the FDA, additional quality assurances are crucial. Thankfully, each batch undergoes third-party testing, backed by a Certificate of Analysis (COA), to confirm that the final product contains no heavy metals or microbes.

Dr. Berg Cost Analysis

When it comes to pricing, Dr. Berg's electrolyte powder is one of the more affordable options. Let's take a closer look:

$35.99 ($0.72 per serving) for a one-time purchase of a 50-serving tub
$32.39 ($0.65 per serving) for a 50-serving tub with a subscription
$46.99 for a one-time purchase of a 100-serving tub
$42.29 for a 100-serving tub with a subscription
$28.99 for a one-time purchase of a 28-stick variety pack
$26.09 for a 28-stick variety pack with a subscription

Though Dr. Berg offers a solid 30-day money-back guarantee, I was disappointed to see their shipping policy. You have to spend over $160 to get free shipping. All other orders including subscriptions must spend $4 on shipping, which detracts somewhat from the otherwise very budget-friendly pricing.

Dr. Berg Taste Review

While ingredients and purported benefits are undoubtedly important to review, the taste of the powder is often the determining factor as to whether you'll actually use the product. I was happy to see that the Dr. Berg electrolyte powder comes in many fruity flavors:

Raspberry and lemon
Orange
Lemonade
Strawberry lemonade
Pomegranate cherry
Tangerine
Grape
Tropical
Cucumber Lime

However, after sampling them, I found that the taste leaves a lot to be desired. The sweetness was intense and overpowering, leaving me with a lingering, bitter aftertaste that tasted like chemicals. I assume this is due to the stevia, which can be 250 to 300 times sweeter than sugar and is known to have an artificial-tasting flavor despite being a natural sweetener.

Unfortunately, I also discovered that it's nearly impossible to get the powder to dissolve. Despite shaking, stirring, and even blending the powder, I still found gritty clumps of powder floating in my beverage.

I wanted to see if my experience was unique, so I researched Dr. Berg electrolyte reviews from verified customers. Some agreed with me:

"First of all, the powder does not dissolve nicely. There were big blobs of powder left at the bottom of the glass, even after stirring for a while. The taste is not at all what I expected. I have tried other powders before, and there was clearly a fruity taste. This powder does not taste like fruit at all; it tastes rather chalky and very chemical (I guess because of the stevia!). Not what I was expecting from Dr. Berg."

Amazon Customer

"This stuff has a god awful aftertaste. Likes to float on top of the water too, it doesn't mix well."

Jeff Scott

However, taste is a matter of personal preference, and some customers were actually delighted with the powder's flavors:

"Imagine sipping on a raspberry-lemonade twist that’s tangy, refreshing, and just a hint sweet, minus any of that cloying sugar crash—that’s exactly what this tastes like. It seriously feels like summer in a glass, and it makes chugging water feel like a treat instead of a chore."

John Connor

"I found it extremely palatable and it doesn't leave a funny after-taste in my mouth like most product flavorings."

Barb W

Why I Choose Live it Up Vital Minerals

I really wanted to like Dr. Berg's electrolyte powder so I could suggest another recommendation to my clients. Despite offering a variety of fun flavors and an affordable price, this product fell short due to its suboptimal electrolyte ratio, low sodium, and lack of vitamin C.

Instead, I believe Live it Up Vital Minerals is one of the best electrolyte powders on the market. The non-GMO product has no added sugar, contains essential electrolytes, and features a balanced 2:1 ratio of sodium to potassium, optimizing hydration so you can feel replenished. The formula also contains vitamin C, which may support your overall health by offering immune support, combating oxidative stress, and improving heat tolerance.

To top it off, the Live it Up Vital Minerals powder is delicious, affordable (with free shipping!), and an excellent option for all your daily hydration needs.

Dr. Berg Frequently Asked Questions

Review the answers to some FAQs below.

Does Dr. Berg’s electrolyte powder have any side effects?

While electrolyte powders are generally well tolerated, you may experience some mild side effects, such as nausea, bloating, acid reflux, and muscle weakness, particularly if you are sensitive to stevia. If you experience adverse side effects for longer than a few days, discontinue use and consult a healthcare professional for guidance.

What does Dr. Berg's electrolyte powder do?

Dr. Berg's electrolyte powder is designed to help balance fluid levels and rehydrate your body after fluid loss. The power also includes minerals that may help support muscle function and recovery, as well as aid athletic performance. However, the blend is low in sodium, so if you’re experiencing moderate dehydration symptoms, it’s worth considering another brand.

Which is the healthiest electrolyte powder?

The healthiest electrolyte powders contain a good electrolyte balance, such as a 2:1 sodium-to-potassium ratio. I also encourage you to look for formulas that contain additional vitamins and avoid added sugars and artificial ingredients. Live it Up Vital Minerals is my go-to option for a healthy electrolyte powder.

Is it okay to drink electrolyte powder daily?

It depends on the electrolyte powder, as some are designed for daily hydration, while others are specifically for athletic performance. It may also depend on your individual hydration needs. Regular water is often sufficient to maintain balanced fluid levels, but if you're sweating, vomiting, or losing fluids in other ways, you may need to consider replenishing electrolytes. If you're looking for the best daily hydration support, as a dietitian, I recommend Live it Up Vital Minerals.

References

About the author:

Rachel Gargano, MS, RD, CSSD, CBS

Rachel is a registered dietitian based in Contra Costa County, California, with over 15 years experience. She specializes in whole-body wellness and plant-based nutrition, helping people understand the dynamic interplay between food and health so they can live life to the fullest. When not helping others, she enjoys spending time with her kids, being physically active, and tending to her abundant household plants.

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