Liquid I.V. Review: Does this Stuff Actually Work? (2024)

Dehydration is a common issue among athletes and is something that can have devastating consequences if not addressed immediately. A lot of athletes do not know how to properly rehydrate themselves after a workout, which can lead to serious health issues down the road. This is why Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier was created – to help people who are exercising or playing sports stay hydrated and healthy!

liquid i.v. review

What is the Science Behind Liquid I.V.?

Liquid I.V. is a hydration and electrolyte replacement product that claims to be able to deliver water and other nutrients into your bloodstream quickly, allowing you to hydrate faster than if you were drinking plain water alone.

Liquid I.V. claims that its patented Cellular Transport Technology (CTT) is responsible for its effectiveness. CTT is based on World Health Organization guidelines for oral rehydration solutions, which specify a certain ratio of glucose, potassium, and sodium—components needed for proper hydration.

It has been available since 2012 when it was founded by Brandin Cohen.

To hydrate quickly, add one packet of Liquid I.V. to 16 ounces of cold water or any beverage of your choice. The powdered formula dissolves quickly, so you can get on with your day! You can adjust the amount of water depending on your flavor preference.


Flavor Options and Varieties

Liquid I.V. comes in 10 flavors, each with its own distinct taste and flavor profile. The flavors are all-natural and genuinely fruity—not like some other drinks that try to pass themselves off as “natural” when they’re really full of artificial ingredients or chemicals!

Here’s a rundown of our favorite Liquid I.V. flavor options, including what makes each one so great!

Strawberry
Tangerine
Watermelon
Passion Fruit
Lemon Lime

The company offers a variety of products, including Hydration Multiplier, Hydration Multiplier + Immune Support, Energy Multiplier, and Sleep Multiplier. Each product contains a unique blend of vitamins, electrolytes, and other nutrients to support healthy hydration, energy levels, and sleep.

Ingredients in Liquid I.V.

The main ingredient in Liquid I.V. is sodium—a mineral that is essential for the body to function properly. Sodium is responsible for maintaining fluid balance, nerve function, and muscle contraction. It also plays an important role in digestion and the absorption of nutrients into your bloodstream. This product provides 500 mg of sodium, which is about 22% of the daily recommended value for sodium intake.

Hydration Drink MixSugarSodiumPotassiumCalciumVitamin C
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier11 g500 mg370 mg0 mg100 mg
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier + Immune Support11 g500 mg370 mg0 mg504 mg
Liquid I.V. Energy Multiplier8 g380 mg290 mg10 mg60 mg
Liquid I.V. Sleep Multiplier3.5 g380 mg195 mg0 mg0 mg

Potassium is another ingredient in Liquid I.V., and it contributes to maintaining normal blood pressure levels and muscle function. Other ingredients include Vitamin C (which supports immune function), Niacin (which helps convert food into energy), Vitamin B6 (which maintains normal nerve function), and Vitamin B12 (which promotes healthy tissue growth).


Comparing Liquid I.V. to Other Electrolyte Drink Mixes

Liquid I.V. is not the lowest-calorie electrolyte drink mix around, but it’s certainly not the highest either. A serving of Liquid I.V. contains anywhere from 40 to 50 calories, depending on the flavor. Each packet also contains 11 grams of added sugar, which may be excessive for people who are trying to cut back on sugar.

The National Academy of Medicine recommends a daily sodium intake of less than 2,300 mg. Note that this product has 500 mg of sodium, which is less than the recommended daily amount. Those who follow a low-sodium diet should seek advice from a physician before using this product.

How does Liquid I.V. taste?

If you’re looking for a sports drink that’s going to taste good, this is definitely not it. However, if you want something that works a lot better than Gatorade or the other leading sports drinks—and tastes good enough—Liquid I.V. is your go-to product.

Liquid I.V.’s taste is primarily driven by its high sodium content and stevia sweetener, so while it tastes good, there is a very salty aftertaste that lingers for a while—and isn’t exactly ideal if you’re trying to sip on something while you work out. But that’s not the point of Liquid I.V.: The purpose of this drink is to help replenish your body’s electrolytes after a workout or when you’re feeling sick, so the taste isn’t really relevant here—it just has to be palatable enough for you to chug it down without gagging too much (or at all).

If you’re going to drink Liquid I.V., we recommend doing so in slightly colder water rather than room temperature; this masks some of the saltiness and cools down your body.


Price Comparison

The price of Liquid I.V. is $1.53 per single-serve packet, which is slightly higher than similar brands. If you use their Subscribe & Save, you can get a discount of up to 15% on your orders and bring the price of Liquid I.V. down to just $1.25 per stick.

They also sell their product on Amazon, where you can take advantage of a 5% or 10% discount by signing up for a Subscription.

Pros & Cons

THINGS WE LIKE
  • Available in different formulas
  • Mixes with water easily
  • Easy to carry around
  • Hydrates you more quickly than water
THINGS WE DON’T LIKE
  • Not for those who prefer less salt
  • There is a slight aftertaste from stevia
  • Slightly more expensive than others
  • Some people don’t like its taste

Packaging Options

  • 16-gram sticks (Available in packs of 8, 16, 32, 64, and 96 sticks)

Final Review

Liquid I.V. is a hydration multiplier that uses science to help your body get water into cells faster than plain water can do on its own. It’s gluten-free, soy-free, and non-GMO, so it’s safe for people with allergies or sensitivities.

If you’re an average active individual, plain water hydrates just fine. But if you’re sweating heavily when you exercise, or if you’re hungover—or feeling dehydrated in any way—Liquid IV could help you to recover faster.

Many athletes and sports fans have found that Liquid I.V is better than traditional sports drinks at helping them rehydrate, but some people may not like the sugar content in Liquid I.V products. If you are trying to lower your sugar content or have diabetes, Liquid I.V. may not be the best choice for you.

However, if you want to get back on track with your hydration regimen, this product can help!

7.3Expert Score
Good
Here is our evaluation of Liquid I.V.’s strengths and weaknesses. We rated it on a scale from 1 to 10.
Nutrition
7.5
Taste
6.5
Price
8
Packaging
7

Where to Buy

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Alternatives to Liquid I.V.

If you’re looking for something different—say, more electrolytes or a different flavor—you might want to try one of these other options.

Pedialyte Powder Packs
Gatorade Thirst Quencher Powder
Nuun Hydration
Drip Drop
Hydrant

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FAQs

Does Liquid I.V. have caffeine?

No, Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier does not contain caffeine. However, the Energy Multiplier contains about 100 mg of caffeine, so if you are allergic to caffeine or have had problems with other caffeinated products, the Energy version of Liquid I.V. may not be for you.

Is there any sugar-free Liquid I.V. available?

Unfortunately, there is no sugar-free Liquid I.V. available at this time. The Sleep Multiplier version has the lowest amount of sugar, with only 3.5g of sugar in a serving.

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