Liquid I.V. vs. Pedialyte for Hydration – Why Fluid Balance Matters?

Dehydration is a serious risk to your health, especially when you’re doing something active.

It’s not uncommon for people to become dehydrated after working out, hiking in the sun, or spending an intense day at work. The key to treating dehydration is drinking enough water. But sometimes it’s hard to remember to drink enough water throughout the day, especially when you have a busy schedule or are trying to get ready for an important event.

The best way to treat dehydration is to drink liquids with glucose and electrolytes, including Pedialyte and Liquid I.V. The sooner you start drinking these liquids, the faster you will feel better.

In order to understand why electrolytes matter, you first need to understand what they are.

What are Electrolytes, and why do they matter?

Electrolytes are essential minerals—like sodium, calcium, and potassium—that are found in the cells of your body’s tissues. They help maintain fluid balance in your body and allow nerves and muscles to function properly. When you sweat a lot or lose fluids through vomiting or diarrhea, you can become dehydrated, which means that your body loses too much water, and the electrolyte levels in your blood drop. This can cause fatigue, headache, nausea, blood pressure changes, muscle cramps, and low energy levels.


The good news is that there are simple ways to prevent electrolyte loss: stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day; eat foods that contain electrolytes (like fruits and vegetables); replenish your salt supply by eating salty foods like pretzels or salted nuts; drink sports drinks with electrolytes when exercising intensely for long periods of time; take an over-the-counter supplement like Liquid I.V. or Pedialyte if necessary.

What is Liquid I.V.?

Liquid I.V. is a hydration packet that you mix with water and drink. It claims to hydrate you quicker than most sports drinks and contains more essential vitamins, nutrients, and electrolytes than other drinks.

The company says that it uses Cellular Transport Technology (CTT) to get the water into your cells faster than normal. CTT uses a specific ratio of sodium, glucose, and potassium to help your body absorb nutrients.

To quickly rehydrate, add one packet of Liquid I.V. to 16 ounces of cold water or any beverage of your choice. The powder mixes easily with water, so you can get on with your day. You can adjust the amount of water depending on how strong you like your drink.

What is Pedialyte?

Pedialyte is an electrolyte solution that comes in both powder and liquid forms. It’s used by athletes, hungover people, and parents with children suffering from diarrhea or dehydration. The product was developed by Abbott Laboratories and comes in a variety of flavors and formulas.


Its main purpose is to help rehydrate those who have lost too much water through diarrhea or vomiting. The electrolytes it contains are essential for maintaining proper hydration levels because they help your body retain fluids.

Pedialyte offers four different product lines: Pedialyte Classic, Pedialyte AdvancedCare, Pedialyte AdvancedCare Plus, and Pedialyte Sport. These products differ in the concentration of electrolytes and calories they contain. You can use all these products interchangeably—as needed—to help meet your individual hydration needs.

How Do They Compare Nutritionally?

Pedialyte is a sports drink that’s good for kids and adults alike.

Both products have similar calories; Liquid I.V ranges from 30-45 calories per serving, while Pedialyte ranges from 25-40 calories depending on the product you use.

Pedialyte contains slightly less sugar than Liquid I.V., making it a better option for those trying to avoid added calories in their diets. It also has fewer calories than other sports drinks on the market such as Gatorade or Powerade.


Hydration Drink MixSugarSodiumPotassiumMagnesiumCalciumChlorideVitamin C
Pedialyte AdvancedCare Plus7 g490 mg280 mg0 mg0 mg630 mg0 mg
Pedialyte AdvancedCare6 g370 mg280 mg0 mg0 mg440 mg0 mg
Pedialyte Sport5 g490 mg470 mg40 mg0 mg690 mg0 mg
Pedialyte Immune Support7 g490 mg280 mg40 mg0 mg690 mg0 mg
Pedialyte Classic9 g370 mg280 mg0 mg0 mg440 mg0 mg
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier11 g500 mg370 mg0 mg0 mg0 mg100 mg
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier + Immune Support11 g500 mg370 mg0 mg0 mg0 mg504 mg
Liquid I.V. Energy Multiplier8 g380 mg290 mg0 mg10 mg0 mg60 mg
Liquid I.V. Sleep Multiplier3.5 g380 mg195 mg0 mg0 mg0 mg0 mg

Even though both Liquid I.V and Pedialyte contain similar amounts of sodium, Liquid I.V. is a little saltier than Pedialyte.

Liquid I.V. contains no chloride, an essential mineral for cell function and fluid balance. Pedialyte, on the other hand, does have this mineral.

Varieties, Flavors, and Taste Comparison

Pedialyte comes in both powder packs and liquid forms, but Liquid I.V only comes in ready-to-mix packets that you can add to water or other beverages. Just mix one packet with 16 ounces of water, and you’re good to go!

Both come in a variety of formulas for different needs, including sports, energy, and immune support.

Pedialyte comes in several flavors, including original unflavored and fruit-flavored versions.

Liquid I.V. comes in a variety of flavors as well, including Strawberry, Watermelon, Passion Fruit, Lemon Lime, Guava, Concord Grape, Piña Colada, Tropical Punch, Acai Berry, and Golden Cherry. So no matter what your tastes are or what your mood is like, there’s definitely going to be something for you.

I mix Pedialyte with a little water because otherwise, it would be too sweet for me to drink straight-up! The flavor is pretty much what you would expect from a sports drink—very sweet.

Liquid I.V. dissolves quickly and tastes like a light, more portable version of Pedialyte. Liquid I.V.’s chief drawback is that it’s salty—even compared to other drinks with added electrolytes—so it may not be your go-to choice if you have a sensitive stomach or are trying to cutting back on sodium intake (which can cause bloating).

Packaging and Portability

Both Pedialyte and Liquid I.V. are portable, convenient options for staying healthy on the go. Both products come in packets that can fit into a pocket or purse, and they also come in several different sizes: 8-pack, 16-pack, etc.

Pedialyte comes in two sizes: 0.3 oz and 0.6 oz sticks. The product mixes well by shaking, but if you want a faint taste, use more water than the recommended 8 oz or 16 oz.

Liquid I.V. comes in 0.56 oz sticks, which can be mixed with 16 oz of water to achieve the desired taste; if you want to minimize the flavor, use more water.

If you’re feeling under the weather, I recommend keeping a bottle of Pedialyte in your fridge. It comes in large bottles, so it lasts for a long time, but once it’s been opened, the contents should be consumed within 48 hours.

Both products taste delicious when served chilled.

Price Comparison

While both products are effective at rehydrating your body, you can get more for less with Liquid I.V.

The price of Pedialyte varies by retailer. At the time of publishing, Pedialyte Sport retails for $1.60 per 12-ounce bottle. and Pedialyte AdvancedCare Plus powder packs cost around $2.49 per 16-ounce stick.

Liquid I.V., on the other hand, costs only $1.53 per 16-ounce stick! This is a great value, especially considering what Pedialyte offers.

Liquid I.V. is also available through Subscribe & Save (if you order 32 or more packs), which brings the price of each stick down to just $1.25!

Which is more effective, Liquid I.V. or Pedialyte?

If you’re looking for an electrolyte replacement, Pedialyte and Liquid I.V. are both great options. Both contain the same key electrolytes: sodium and potassium. They both have a lot of vitamins, but Pedialyte has a higher concentration of electrolytes, especially chloride.

Both products are low in sugar compared to other sports drinks, so they’re a good choice if you’re looking for a drink that won’t cause a crash after your workout or game.

Both Liquid I.V. and Pedialyte come in many flavors which makes them more enjoyable than plain water when you’re dehydrated or feeling under the weather. They are portable options that can be taken anywhere with you so they’re easy to use while on-the-go!

Liquid I.V.’s products are also less expensive than Pedialyte’s but both offer good value for money when compared to other sports drinks out there today!

Final Thoughts

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There are a lot of similarities between the two products—both Pedialyte and Liquid I.V. have been shown to help hydration, and both contain electrolytes and vitamins that can help your body stay healthy.

If you’re looking for the most convenient option, then Liquid I.V. is going to be your best bet—but if you prefer a more natural flavor, go with Pedialyte!

In the end, it all comes down to personal preference—so try both products and see which one works best for YOU!

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