Have you ever tried to tackle something exhausting—like a long hike, an intense workout, or a busy day at work—only to be stopped in your tracks by dehydration? Dehydration can hit you in the middle of a great adventure and bring everything to a grinding halt.
Dehydration is a serious problem, but it’s one we have the power to solve. You’ll need to rehydrate often; fortunately, there are plenty of great products on the market that can help with this. DripDrop and Liquid I.V. are both good options to consider; however, there are some key differences between them that will help you decide which one might be right for your lifestyle. Let’s take a look at those differences so you can make an informed decision.
Table of Contents
Understanding Electrolytes
It’s important to understand electrolytes before diving into the details of each product.
If you’ve ever been in a situation where your body felt like it was going to shut down, then you know how important electrolytes are. Electrolytes are minerals that help your body maintain its fluid balance. The imbalance of electrolytes in your body can lead to symptoms like dehydration or heat exhaustion.
Symptoms associated with low levels of electrolytes include:
- Muscle weakness or Cramping
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Dizziness or Headache
- Rapid heartbeat
- Confusion
The most common electrolytes in the body are sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, and phosphate.
Sodium keeps your body’s fluid levels balanced by moving freely through cells with water. It also regulates blood pressure and controls muscle function so that your muscles contract as they should when you want to move them around (think about how hard it would be to lift weights if your muscles weren’t getting enough oxygen). Potassium works closely with sodium to keep fluid levels inside your cells consistent – without enough potassium, these fluids become too concentrated while they sit waiting for an opportunity to pass through those tiny pores between cells into other parts of the body where they belong! Calcium helps build strong bones, Magnesium helps break down carbohydrates into glucose energy sources, and Chloride helps regulate blood pressure.
Here are the recommended daily intakes of some common electrolytes:
- Sodium(Na+): 1500 mg for age 50 or below | 1300 mg for people over 50 |1200 mg for people over 70
- Potassium(K+): 4700 mg
- Calcium(Ca2+): 1000 mg for age 50 or below | 1200 mg for people over 50
- Magnesium(Mg2+): 420 mg for men | 320 mg for women
- Chloride(Cl-): 2300 mg for age 50 or below | 2000 mg for people over 50 | 1800 mg for people over 70
Oral rehydration solutions like DripDrop and Liquid I.V are designed to revive the body with vital electrolytes, trace minerals, and essential vitamins. They help replenish the electrolytes you lose during physical activity and maintain the proper levels of these minerals in your body.
What is DripDrop?
DripDrop is an oral rehydration solution (ORS) that was created by a doctor to treat victims of cholera. It comes in powder form and can be mixed with water for consumption. The brand’s website states that its patented formula was “developed during relief missions in Latin America” and “has been formulated to meet the guidelines established by UNICEF and the WHO.”
DripDrop works through osmosis: sodium and glucose transport water from the gut into the bloodstream through membranes that separate them. The average osmolarity rating of blood is 285 to 300, so selecting to drink a rehydration solution with the right osmolarity is essential. DripDrop has an osmolarity level of 235, which helps the body rehydrate quickly and feel refreshed for hours. It has half the sugar of sports drinks but provides just as many electrolytes—without an IV needle! The company says its product is clinically proven to help people recover from sickness, a workout, hangovers, or heat exposure while providing lasting hydration.
Plus: unlike other forms of ORS solutions on the market today (that taste sorta gross), this one tastes good!
What is Liquid I.V.?
Liquid I.V. is a powder electrolyte supplement that you mix with water to make an oral rehydration solution (ORS). It’s designed to help replenish essential electrolytes lost through sweating and keep you hydrated when you’re feeling fatigued or dehydrated.
The science behind “Liquid I.V.” is its patented Cellular Transport Technology (CTT), which uses a specific ratio of glucose, sodium, and potassium to deliver water and key nutrients directly to your bloodstream. This means your body absorbs them quickly for an immediate hydration boost.
The company uses CTT in all of its products, including Hydration Multiplier, Energy Multiplier, Hydration Multiplier + Immune Support, and Sleep Multiplier.
How Do They Compare Nutritionally?
While DripDrop and Liquid I.V. are both designed to hydrate and replenish electrolytes, they differ in their ingredients.
Both products contain Sodium and Potassium, but Liquid I.V. does not contain Magnesium, which is an essential electrolyte needed for efficient hydration. We also found that DripDrop was not as salty or sugary as Liquid I.V., but the effects of both are felt immediately.
They both contain high amounts of B vitamins, which help the body metabolize protein and carbohydrates.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Hydration Drink Mix | Sugar | Sodium | Potassium | Magnesium | Calcium | Vitamin C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DripDrop 8 oz sticks | 7 g | 330 mg | 185 mg | 39 mg | 0 mg | 70 mg |
| DripDrop 16 oz sticks | 14 g | 670 mg | 380 mg | 80 mg | 0 mg | 144 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 |
Flavors, Taste, and Mixability
DripDrop comes in 13 flavors.
- Berry
- Watermelon
- Lemon
- Orange
- Mango
- Passion Fruit
- Pineapple Coconut
- Fruit Punch
- Concord Grape
- Honey Lemon Ginger
- Spiced Apple Cider
- Hibiscus
- Decaf Green Tea
My favorite flavors of DripDrop are Lemon and Berry. The flavors are light enough that it doesn’t overpower your taste buds, but it is still satisfying enough to make you crave another bottle after a workout or after being sick for a couple of days.
Liquid I.V., on the other hand, only has 10 flavors (as of right now).
- Lemon Lime
- Golden Cherry
- Concord Grape
- Passion Fruit
- Piña Colada
- Strawberry
- Watermelon
- Guava
- Acai Berry
- Tropical Punch
In terms of taste and mixability, the two products are similar. The biggest difference between the two lies in the sweetness factor. While both are easy on your teeth, DripDrop is far less sweet than Liquid I.V., but still very drinkable thanks to its subtle flavorings and added nutrients that make it more than just water with electrolytes. Additionally, neither product will leave any grit at the bottom of your cup or bottle like other hydration mixes often do; instead dissolved easily so there’s no mess left behind when you’re done drinking!
Packaging and Portability
DripDrop and Liquid I.V. are both portable, convenient options for staying healthy on the go. Both products have packets that are small enough to fit into your pocket or easily travel with you in a purse or backpack. They also come in several options: 16-pack, 32-pack, 64-pack, and 96-pack (16 oz).
DripDrop also comes in 8 oz sticks. The product mixes well by shaking, but if you want a faint taste you can use more water than the 8 oz recommended.
One of the best things about Liquid IV is that it has a product for every need in the market, from its original Hydration Multiplier to its new Sleep Multiplier.
Which Brand is More Affordable?
If you’re looking for a more affordable option, DripDrop is the way to go.
DripDrop offers two sizes of their product: 8 oz and 16 oz sticks. The 8-oz stick costs around $1.12 per stick, while the 16-oz stick costs around $2.00 per stick. In addition to being affordable, there is also a Subscribe & Save option for DripDrop products that gives you 25% off your order every time you place an order for 2 weeks or longer!
The price of one 16-ounce stick of Liquid I.V. is around $1.53 per stick. A 16-pack of Liquid I.V. is not eligible for Subscribe & Save, but if you order 32 or more packs, you can save money by taking advantage of a Subscription.
Who wins? – DripDrop and Liquid I.V. at a glance
When it comes to convenience and taste, both DripDrop and Liquid I.V are top-notch options. With their sweet flavorings, they make a great alternative to sugary sports drinks or water with just salt tablets in it.
DripDrop has a much wider variety of flavors than Liquid IV, but Liquid IV has stronger flavors overall.
While many people have enjoyed the taste of Liquid I.V., others have been unhappy with the amount of sugar it contains—11 grams per serving is more than most people would like to consume at once! If you’re trying to watch your sugar intake or don’t enjoy sweet things very much, DripDrop is a better choice.
DripDrop’s hydration product is a one-size-fits-all solution, while Liquid I.V. provides products to address the specific needs of the consumer.
Both brands are similarly priced; however, if you’re looking for a more affordable option, DripDrop is your best bet.
Final Thoughts
There is no question that hydration can help when you’re trying to stay healthy. Both Liquid I.V. and DripDrop are great products to keep yourself hydrated when you need them most, whether that be after an intense workout or party night gone awry.
At the end of the day though, one of them will probably work best for your body’s specific needs. All that you have to do is give it a try.
