Hydration aids are no longer just for athletes—they can support daily hydration needs, too. With so many electrolyte drink mixes on the market, I'm often asked which one has the most effective formula. That's not an easy question to answer, as the best product is the one that helps you reach your health goals. In my effort to determine the top electrolyte beverages that I'd recommend, I thought I'd take a closer look at one of the key players in the space: Liquid I.V.
Keep reading for an in-depth Liquid I.V. review, including the Hydration Multiplier's purported benefits, key ingredients, cost, taste, and which electrolyte powders might be better (like Live it Up Vital Minerals).
In this review, I’ll cover:
- Is Liquid I.V. Good for You?
- What Is Liquid I.V.?
- Purported Health Benefits
- Ingredient Breakdown
- Quality and Safety
- Cost Analysis
- Taste Review
- Why I Choose Live it Up Vital Minerals
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Quick Facts
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Key ingredients:
- 560 mg sodium
- Potassium
- Vitamin C
- B vitamins
- Cane sugar, dextrose, and stevia leaf extract (Reb A)
- Flavors: 19 flavors, including Lemon Lime, Golden Cherry, Passion Fruit, and Tropical Punch
- Manufacturer health claims: Liquid I.V. says that it supports hydration for performance, travel, head & sun, and wellness
- Possible side effects: The website doesn't list side effects, but getting too much of a nutrient could cause issues in some people.
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Nutrition Facts: 1 stick = 16 grams
- Calories: 50 (varies slightly depending on flavor)
- Total sugars: 11 grams
- Container size: 16 sticks
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Price:
- $24 for 16 sticks (one-time order), $1.56 per serving
- $17.49 for 16 sticks (with a subscription), $1.09 per serving
- Shipping: $5.99 or free for orders of $40+
Bottom Line: Is Liquid I.V. Good for You?
Liquid I.V. might be beneficial for athletes but not people looking for everyday hydration. Although Hydration Multiplier may hydrate you faster than water and support exercise performance and recovery, the large amount of sugar, excess vitamins, high sodium, and missing electrolytes leads me to recommend other electrolyte powders instead, like Live it Up Vital Minerals.
What Is Liquid I.V.?
In the early years of his career, Liquid I.V. founder Brandin Cohen spent time talking to professional athletes about their hydration aids of choice. Realizing that the options available weren't cutting it. Cohen began researching healthier hydration and came across the World Health Organization's Oral Rehydration Solution, a globally backed hydration formula. Cohen decided to incorporate this solution into a new product that he believed would be healthier than what was on the market. In 2012, Liquid I.V. was born.
The brand uses its proprietary Cellular Transport Technology®, which is "designed to enhance rapid absorption of water and other nutrients into your body," in all of its Hydration Multiplier products, including those focused on immune support and energy. It claims to have three times "the electrolytes of the leading sports drink."
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier is available on their website, Amazon, Costco, and various other sellers. It comes in 19 flavors, each with slight variations in calories, sodium, and carbohydrates per 16-gram stick:
- 45–50 calories
- 500–630mg of sodium
- 11–13g of carbs
- 0g of protein
- 10–11g of total sugar
Liquid I.V. Pros
- Contains added vitamins to support various bodily functions
- Tons of flavors to choose from
- Offers a sugar-free version of Hydration Multiplier (but this contains sugar-free substitutes that may not be ideal for some individuals)
- Single-serving sticks are convenient
Liquid I.V. Cons
- Relatively high in calories and sodium - not ideal for daily use
- Contains approximately 11 grams of added sugar
- Contains the additives silicon dioxide, citric acid, and dipotassium phosphate
- Some vitamins and minerals exceed 100% DV
- Unclear level of third-party testing
Liquid I.V. Purported Benefits
Find out if Liquid I.V.'s formula supports its purported benefits.
#1: Faster Cellular Hydration than Water Alone
Electrolytes dissolve in water, so they're more easily depleted when you sweat a lot or are dehydrated due to sickness. To combat dehydration, Liquid I.V. uses its proprietary LIV HYDRASCIENCE™, a science-backed formula, which, according to the brand's website, "designed with an optimized ratio of electrolytes, essential vitamins, and clinically tested nutrients to turn ordinary water into extraordinary hydration."
According to the product details, that ratio is about 69% sugar, 3% sodium, 2.5% potassium, and smaller amounts of vitamin C and four B vitamins.
All of these can work together to hydrate the body on a cellular level. For instance, hydration can happen more quickly with the presence of both glucose and sodium, in what's known as the sodium-glucose transport. Studies have shown that pairing these two nutrients can lead to better hydration levels.
The Hydration Multiplier formula does include two of the main electrolytes—sodium and potassium—but it's missing other minerals crucial for hydration and maintaining electrolyte balance: chloride, calcium, and magnesium. While electrolyte beverages do hydrate faster than plain water alone, providing the full suite of electrolytes (like Live it Up Vital Minerals does) would likely have a better effect.
#2: Aids Exercise Performance and Recovery
Liquid I.V. seems to hit its target of supporting exercise performance and recovery. For one, the formula includes several B vitamins, all of which offer various exercise-related benefits. For example, vitamins B12 and B6 can give you an energy boost and support endurance, and vitamin B3 (niacin) plays a role in various cellular functions, including turning food into energy.
Additionally, it's important for athletes to replenish lost sodium from their sweat. Liquid I.V.'s formula contains 560mg of sodium, which can help the body recover more rapidly from an intense, long, or particularly hot workout.
Liquid I.V. Ingredients
Hydration Multiplier contains 8 total ingredients, including electrolytes, vitamins, and sugar. Let's dive into the science behind each to understand if Liquid I.V.'s formula is worth the hype.
Electrolytes
Liquid I.V. contains two primary electrolytes: sodium and potassium. While these are crucial components of rehydration, it's unclear why Liquid I.V. doesn't include other extremely beneficial electrolytes that impact hydration: calcium, magnesium, and chloride.
Chloride, for instance, plays a key role in body fluid retention and electrolyte balance. Additionally, calcium has been shown to support different areas of fitness. And because exercise performance is one of the main benefits the company claims, it's curious why this mineral is not included in the formula.
I also want to point out that this electrolyte drink mix contains 22-24% DV of sodium. Johns Hopkins Medicine states that someone can lose anywhere from 200mg to 2,000mg of sodium in a liter of sweat—but the exact amount depends on several factors, including the person's makeup, their activity level, and even whether they're in a hot environment. It's important to ensure that you're not consuming too much sodium in your diet, and Liquid I.V. may put your sodium levels over the edge, especially if you're not engaging in intense activity.
Vitamins
The added vitamins in the Hydration Multiplier formula are a nice touch, especially considering that B vitamins can support energy and exercise performance. However, the inclusion of vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) seems unnecessary given that this vitamin doesn't seem to have an effect on hydration or athletic performance, according to studies.
Plus, most of the vitamins in the formula provide more than the recommended daily intake, so it's important to ensure that you're not overdosing on these vitamins by taking Liquid I.V.
Sugar
Liquid I.V. contains 11 grams of added sugars. Yes, sugar is important in specific ratios for facilitating the absorption of sodium and water, but in large quantities, it can be detrimental. Athletes performing strenuous exercise may benefit from the added sugars, but it may have negative effects on individuals simply wanting an everyday hydration aid.
Additionally, this electrolyte powder includes the filler silicon dioxide (an anti-caking agent) and citric acid.
Liquid I.V. Quality and Safety
Liquid I.V. manufactures its products in facilities that are compliant with FDA requirements, but it doesn't note whether ingredients are tested for potency, purity, and contaminants, key factors that make third-party testing super important. All its FAQ page mentions is that "all of our products are made with quality ingredients," which isn't very transparent.
That said, Liquid I.V. is certified gluten-free, and all products are tested for gluten at ISO 17025-accredited labs. The electrolyte powder is also vegan, dairy-free, and non-GMO.
Live it Up Vital Minerals, on the other hand, is Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)-certified and all batches are third-party tested.
Liquid I.V. Cost Analysis
Here’s how Liquid I.V. comes out on price:
- A one-time purchase through their website is $24.99 ($1.56/stick).
- With a subscription, you can say 30%, bringing the price down to $17.49 ($1.09/stick).
- Free shipping doesn't kick in until $40, meaning that you'll have to either pay an extra $5.99 for every order or add more products to get the total order amount over that threshold.
Depending on your electrolyte needs, you can adjust your subscription to deliver the product every one, two, or three months. Every Liquid I.V. pouch comes with only 16 servings, so if you plan to use this product daily, you'll need to buy two pouches per month.
Keep in mind that pricing, shipping costs, and return policies may differ depending on the seller. Liquid I.V. only accepts returns for products purchased from their website.
Liquid I.V. Taste Review
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier comes in a whopping 19 flavors, giving customers plenty of options to suit their tastebuds. For the sake of time (and space), instead of covering all the flavors, I thought I'd focus on some of Liquid I.V.'s best sellers:
- Cotton Candy: Sweet, with notes of vanilla
- Popsicle® Firecracker: Hints of cherry, lemon lime, and raspberry
- Lemon Lime: Refreshing, slightly tart
- Strawberry Lemonade: Balance of tart and sweet
- Mango: Tropical and fresh
The flavor profiles are fun, but I found some of them much too sweet, which is no surprise considering the use of sugar, dextrose, AND stevia. While that's a negative in my book, the sweetness of these and other flavors is what draws some people in:
Many customers mention the nice balance of salty and sweet. For instance, in Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier reviews, one person gives their take on the Strawberry Lemonade flavor:
Some of the flavors, however, garner Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier reviews saying that they're just too sweet:
"I tried it in the recommended 16 oz as the directions say and I had to hold my nose to swallow the stuff. It was way too salty and sweet for me. " ~Amazon Customer
As far as texture goes, Liquid I.V. mixes nicely in water and doesn't have that chalky mouth feel that many powdered beverages have. Even still, some people dislike the thickness of the mixed beverage and feel that it's too grainy for their preferences:
Why I Choose Live it Up Vital Minerals
While athletes or people exercising in extreme heat may benefit from a sugar- and sodium-heavy formula like Liquid I.V., individuals looking for daily hydration likely need an electrolyte powder with a more balanced formula.
Live it Up Vital Minerals provides five key electrolytes—sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride, and calcium—for targeted, effective hydration (remember that Liquid I.V. only contains two electrolytes). The formula also contains vitamin C and just the right amount of sodium, with the understanding that the average American is already getting enough—or even too much—sodium intake. This, paired with no added sugar, makes Vital Minerals ideal for daily use, not just for when you're dehydrated or performing an intense workout.
Plus, Vital Minerals is affordable, non-GMO, third-party tested, GMP certified, soy-free, dairy-free, and gluten-free. And with two great-tasting flavors to choose from, either Lemon Lime or Mango Pomegranate, you can look forward to drinking this electrolyte powder every day!
Frequently Asked Questions About Liquid I.V.
Still have questions? We've got answers. Learn more about Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier.
Does Liquid I.V. work?
Liquid I.V. may help to hydrate the body faster than water alone, thanks to the electrolytes sodium and potassium and the added sugar for effective absorption. Plus, it may support exercise performance and recovery, with the addition of B vitamins.
However, the large amount of sodium and sugar means that it's likely more beneficial for athletes or people doing long, intense exercises than it is for the daily user. That's where Live it Up Vital Minerals beats competitors, as it's targeted for daily hydration.
Is Liquid I.V. good for you?
Liquid I.V. may be good for you depending on your hydration and overall health needs. If you are dehydrated due to sickness or are losing a lot of sweat through intense exercise, Liquid I.V. might work well. But it contains quite a bit of sugar, which isn't optimal for the daily user, and contains added vitamins, some of which exceed daily values. Speak with your healthcare professional about which electrolyte powder is right for you.
What are the side effects of taking Liquid I.V.?
Liquid I.V. doesn't list any potential side effects of its electrolyte powder. But there may be side effects if taking the product causes you to exceed recommended daily intakes of certain vitamins and minerals.
What is the healthiest hydration drink?
The healthiest hydration drink is the one that helps you meet your body's hydration needs. Ensure that the hydration aid you choose supports your level of activity, energy, and even environment, helping your body recover and feel refreshed. While there are lots of electrolyte products on the market, Live it Up Vital Minerals stands out for its optimal amount of sodium, balanced formula, and delicious, not-too-sweet flavors.
Is it okay to drink Liquid I.V. every day?
According to Liquid I.V.'s website, it's okay to drink Liquid I.V. every day. The company recommends one stick per day for daily hydration. That said, Hydration Multiplier contains more than 10 grams of sugar and approximately 20% DV of sodium per serving, so it's important for people to be mindful of their daily intakes.
References
- https://www.liquid-iv.com/products/passion-fruit-hydration-multiplier
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/21790-electrolytes
- https://www.bannerhealth.com/healthcareblog/advise-me/what-you-should-know-about-electrolytes
- https://www.unileverusa.com/news/press-releases/2020/unilever-to-acquire-liquid-iv/
- https://ideamensch.com/brandin-cohen/
- https://www.liquid-iv.com/articles/oral-rehydration-solution-and-the-origins-of-liquid-iv
- https://www.liquid-iv.com/pages/faq
- https://www.liquid-iv.com/collections/best-sellers-1
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK234935/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8465972/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10542023/
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Niacin-HealthProfessional/
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-niacin/art-20364984
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22150427/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541123/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22385875/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11597994/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK236216/
- https://www.bannerhealth.com/healthcareblog/advise-me/can-you-overdose-on-vitamins-watch-for-these-symptoms
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK231364/
- https://www.verywellfit.com/electrolyte-drinks-8606301
- https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-is-stevia
- https://www.ama-assn.org/public-health/prevention-wellness/what-doctors-wish-patients-knew-about-sodium-consumption
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