If you’ve ever been hiking or working out at the gym, then you probably know how important it is to stay hydrated. If you don’t drink enough water, you can easily become dehydrated and end up feeling weak and tired. This is especially true if you’re out in the sun for long periods of time because your body needs to cool itself down through sweat.
Luckily, there are products like BIOLYTE and Liquid I.V. which can help you stay hydrated so that you don’t have to worry about running out of water on those days when you need to be at your best.
Table of Contents
Electrolytes and Dehydration—what are they, and why do we care?
Electrolytes are minerals found in blood and tissue cells. They include sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, and phosphate. And they’re crucial for regulating things like blood pressure and body temperature—and keeping our muscles from cramping up after a long workout.
But what happens when our bodies don’t get enough of these minerals? It’s called dehydration—and it’s basically when your body loses more fluid than it takes in. And dehydration is caused by a lot more than just not drinking enough water!
For example, hangovers can cause dehydration because alcohol is a diuretic (it makes your body pee more), so being hungover means losing even more water from your system than usual. And when you sweat a lot—like when you’re exercising or it’s hot outside—you can also become dehydrated. Dehydration is dangerous because it causes your cells to lose water and shrink up, which can damage them. That can lead to muscle cramping, headaches, nausea, and vomiting.
The following are the recommended daily intakes for some common electrolytes:
- Sodium (1500 mg for people under 50, 1300 mg for people over 50, 1200 mg for people over 70)
- Potassium (4700 mg)
- Calcium (1000 mg for people under 50, 1200 mg for people over 50)
- Magnesium (420 mg for men, 320 mg for women)
- Chloride (2300 mg for people under 50, 2000 mg for people over 50, and 1800 mg for people over 70
What is BIOLYTE?
BIOLYTE is an electrolyte drink created by Dr. Luther C. Rollins, an anesthesiologist and pain specialist in Atlanta, GA. He’s also an expert on dehydration. It’s made with a low-calorie formula, but it still provides the same amount of electrolytes as a full bag of IV fluids.
The sugar content in BIOLYTE is only one-third that of other sports drinks, which makes it a great choice for anyone trying to keep the carbs in their diet low.
The magic of BIOLYTE comes from its proprietary blend of electrolytes, which helps your body recover quickly after a workout or hard day of work. In addition to being Keto-friendly, BIOLYTE also claims to help cure hangovers by replenishing lost fluids and electrolytes faster than other sports drinks.
What is Liquid I.V.?
Liquid I.V. is a powdered electrolyte supplement that can be added to water to replenish essential electrolytes and restore hydration. It’s designed to help with hangovers, nausea, or dehydration from being outside in the heat.
Liquid I.V. is powered by Cellular Transport Technology (CTT), which allows it to be absorbed quickly and easily by the body. It’s great for athletes and people who are sick or working out hard—anyone who needs an extra boost of hydration!
The company uses CTT in its entire line of products, including Hydration Multiplier, Energy Multiplier, Immune Support, and Sleep Multiplier.
How Do They Compare Nutritionally?
While BIOLYTE and Liquid I.V. are both designed to rehydrate and replenish electrolytes, they have slightly different nutritional compositions.
Both products contain similar calories, with about 45 calories per serving. Both also contain similar sugar content—about 10 grams of sugar per serving for BIOLYTE and 11 grams of sugar per serving for Liquid I.V.
BIOLYTE has a significantly higher sodium content than Liquid I.V., at 700 milligrams per serving compared to 500 milligrams per serving for Liquid I.V. This high sodium content could cause people with high blood pressure or chronic kidney disease to avoid using BIOLYTE on a regular basis—but for those who don’t have these conditions, being able to consume more salt may be beneficial for athletic performance!
Both drinks contain vitamins C, B3, B6, and B12; however, BIOLYTE has a higher potassium content than Liquid I.V., which means it can help prevent muscle cramps during intense physical activity.
Liquid I.V. lacks chloride, an essential mineral for cell function and fluid balance.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
The table below compares the electrolytes in both drinks:
| Hydration Drink Mix | Sugar | Sodium | Potassium | Chloride | Calcium | Vitamin C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIOLYTE Electrolyte Drink | 10 g | 700 mg | 400 mg | 1.1g | 0 mg | 16 mg |
| Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier | 11 g | 500 mg | 370 mg | 0 mg | 0 mg | 100 mg |
| Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier + Immune Support | 11 g | 500 mg | 370 mg | 0 mg | 0 mg | 504 mg |
| Liquid I.V. Energy Multiplier | 8 g | 380 mg | 290 mg | 0 mg | 10 mg | 60 mg |
| Liquid I.V. Sleep Multiplier | 3.5 g | 380 mg | 195 mg | 0 mg | 0 mg | 0 mg |
Varieties, Flavors, and Taste Comparison
Liquid I.V comes in ready-to-mix packets, which are easy to use and portable. You can take them anywhere you go! Just mix it with 16 ounces of water, and you’re good to go! BIOLYTE comes in a bottle which makes it harder to carry around.
One of Liquid I.V.’s greatest strengths is its variety of products, which includes the Hydration Multiplier, Sleep Multiplier, Immune Support, and Energy Multiplier. BIOLYTE, on the other hand, only has one composition.
Liquid I.V. is the clear winner when it comes to flavor options. The flavors include:
- Lemon Lime
- Golden Cherry
- Concord Grape
- Passion Fruit
- Piña Colada
- Strawberry
- Watermelon
- Guava
- Acai Berry
- Tropical Punch
BIOLYTE has only four flavors—and they’re all pretty salty.
- Melon
- Citrus
- Berry
- Tropical
The first time you try it, the saltiness can be a little overbearing. But once you get used to it, you’ll see that BIOLYTE’s taste is actually quite refreshing and hydrating. The taste is much stronger than you’re used to with other electrolyte drinks—a welcome change if you’re looking for something different.
Both are refreshing and immediately hydrating, so they’ll help you feel better fast. BIOLYTE tastes better when you drink it cold or on ice (like most sports drinks).
Price Comparison
If you’re looking for a more affordable option, Liquid I.V. is the way to go.
BIOLYTE costs $3.75 a bottle, which can add up quickly if you’re using it every day. You will get it sometimes at $3.50 a bottle with coupons on Amazon and even cheaper at Publix when it goes on sale.
If you are looking for a way to save money when buying BIOLYTE, we recommend buying in bulk rather than purchasing one bottle at a time because it will be cheaper overall than buying one bottle at a time.
You can also find BIOLYTE at Kroger, Ingles, RaceTrac, and QuikTrip stores across the country.
Liquid I.V., on the other hand, costs only $1.53 per 16-ounce stick. This is a great value, especially considering what BIOLYTE offers. A 16-pack of Liquid I.V. is not eligible for Subscribe & Save, but if you order 32 or more packs, they will give you an automatic discount. That brings the price of Liquid I.V. down to just $1.25 per stick!
Overall, we recommend Liquid I.V. if you’re looking for an affordable and high-quality alternative to IV therapy.
Which is better, BIOLYTE or Liquid I.V.?
If you’re looking for an electrolyte replacement, BIOLYTE and Liquid I.V. are both great options. Both contain the same key electrolytes: sodium and potassium.
BIOLYTE has a higher concentration of electrolytes, but Liquid I.V.’s offerings include a variety of products for different needs, such as hydration and immune support.
Liquid I.V. is both cheaper and more delicious than BIOLYTE, according to our taste test results! If you don’t mind a slight aspartame-ish taste, then you’ll be good with BIOLYTE.
Both products are low in sugar, which makes them great choices if you’re looking to keep your sugar intake low while working out (or recovering afterward).
Final Thoughts
Overall, my experience with both of these two products was pleasant. I am sure that they are not just marketing gimmicks, they do work.
They contain all the same electrolytes and vitamins that you’ll find in a full bag of IV fluids—but without the bloating and water retention associated with sugary sports drinks. Both are perfect for POTS patients who need high amounts of hydration quickly.
When it comes down to it, the choice between the two products is one of personal preference. That will depend greatly on your goals, situation, and lifestyle as an athlete, not just your exercise intensity level. Both brands have a lot to offer in terms of convenience, performance, and taste; the only thing left for you to do is try them both and see which brand suits you best.
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Mel, thanks for all the details between these 2 products. This is exactly the comparison information I was looking for, and you presented it in a clear and easy to understand manner. Thanks!!!
Thank you so much for this information it was a great help. I myself am a cancer patient and my wife is diabetic who recently had a mild stroke. We both workout at least 3 to 4 times a week. So thank you again.