It’s no secret that the human body is composed mostly of water. We’re made up of about 60% of the stuff, but we can lose it a lot faster than you might think. In fact, even a small amount of water loss can have an impact on your energy levels and ability to concentrate. That’s where hydration products like Waterboy and Liquid I.V. come in. Both brands promise to help you rehydrate quickly with delicious drink mixes that optimize your electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals by using high-tech science to improve absorption rates over plain old H2O. But are they worth buying? And which brand is better? To find out, I tried both drinks for one week each to see which one rehydrated me best. Keep reading for my thoughts on Waterboy and Liquid I.V.
* This post contains sponsored links from Liquid I.V., but the opinions expressed here are our own.
Table of Contents
What’s in Waterboy and Liquid I.V., anyway?
Let’s get started with the ingredients:
Waterboy Ingredients
- Himalayan Sea Salt
- Citric Acid, Natural Raspberry Flavors
- Potassium Citrate (Acts as a great source of potassium)
- Natural Lemon and Lime Flavors
- Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)
- Magnesium Citrate (It is a great source of magnesium, which is an electrolyte)
- L-Theanine (This amino acid can help you focus and concentrate)
- Beet and Carrot Juice for Color
- Organic Stevia(Natural sweetener made from plants)
- Ginger Extract
- Vitamin B12
Liquid I.V. Ingredients
- Sodium Citrate (It can add a nice tartness)
- Mined Salt
- Dextrose (A form of sugar that provides energy to keep you active and help you exercise)
- Vitamin C (Necessary for immune system function, tissue growth, and repair. It also plays a role in collagen synthesis)
- Natural Flavors (It enhances the flavor and taste)
- Stevia leaf extract (A natural sweetener extracted from plants)
- Silicon Dioxide (An anti-caking agent added to food as well as some medicines)
- Dipotassium Phosphate (It acts as a great source of potassium)
- Citric Acid
- Vitamins B3, B5, B6, and B12
- Potassium Citrate (A great source of potassium)
Electrolyte Comparison
Electrolytes are essential for the body to function properly. They help maintain water balance, nerve function, and muscle contractions, among other things. Electrolyte imbalance can lead to health issues like cramps or fatigue.
Concentrations of electrolytes in our body change when we sweat, have diarrhea or vomit them out of our bodies through excessive urination. As a result, it’s important to replenish electrolytes after engaging in strenuous activities that may cause you to lose them faster than normal (like running a marathon).
The following are the recommended intakes of some of the most common electrolytes:
Sodium
- 1500 mg for age 50 or below
- 1300 mg for people over 50
- 1200 mg for people over 70
Chloride
- 2300 mg for age 50 or below
- 2000 mg for people over 50
- 1800 mg for people over 70
Calcium
- 1000 mg for age 50 or below
- 1200 mg for people over 50
Magnesium
- 420 mg for men
- 320 mg for women
Potassium
- 4700 mg for adults
Waterboy has 3170mg of electrolytes per serving whereas Liquid IV has only 870mg per serving! This means that Waterboy contains three times as much electrolyte goodness as Liquid IV.
| Hydration Drink Mix | Sugar | Sodium | Potassium | Magnesium | Calcium | Chloride |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterboy | 0 g | 1130 mg | 344 mg | 54 mg | 17 mg | 1642 mg |
| Liquid I.V | 11 g | 500 mg | 370 mg | 0 | 0 | 0 mg |
Liquid I.V.’s formulation has less sodium than Waterboy’s at 500mg per packet (Waterboy has 1130mg per packet).
It’s also important to note that Vitamin B12 and C are present in much higher amounts in Waterboy, which can help restore energy levels when you’re feeling tired after a workout or long days at work.
Waterboy doesn’t contain any sugar, but I did experience a sugar crash after drinking Liquid I.V.
Liquid I.V. is great for people who like sweet things. Their powder dissolves much faster than Waterboy did, which means it gets into your bloodstream more quickly. If you like things sweet, then Liquid I.V. might be a better option for you—but if you prefer something with less sugar and more benefits, Waterboy should be your go-to hangover cure!
Taste & Flavors
Waterboy’s flavor options are limited to Strawberry Lemonade, Lemon Ginger, Lemon Lime, Fruit Punch, and Blue Raspberry.
In our tests, we found that this powder would not dissolve well in water. This resulted in clumps of remaining powder at the bottom of the cup or bottle after shaking it up. The taste isn’t great as it has high sodium content, but it does keep you hydrated! It also has a strong ginger flavor that will stay in your mouth for quite a while after drinking it.
On the contrary, Liquid I.V. comes in a variety of flavors including Strawberry, Watermelon, Passion Fruit, Lemon Lime, Guava, Concord Grape, Piña Colada, Tropical Punch, Acai Berry, and Golden Cherry. So whether you’re looking for something light and fruity or something rich and decadent, there’s definitely going to be something for you.
Pricing and Packaging
Both brands offer small packets that are lightweight and easy to carry around if you’re looking for something portable enough that won’t take up too much space in your bag or purse!
Waterboy comes in several packet options: 10-pack, 20-pack, 30-pack, and 100-pack. Liquid I.V. also comes in several packet options: 16-pack, 32-pack, 64-pack, and 96-pack.
The Waterboy packets are priced at $24.99 for 10 sticks ($2.50 per stick), making them a little more expensive than Liquid I.V., which is priced at $24.47 for 16 sticks($1.53 per stick). If you’re looking to subscribe and save with Waterboy, the price goes down to $21.24 for 10 sticks—a savings of over 15%.
Which is Better, Waterboy or Liquid I.V.?
It’s a complicated answer.
It depends on what you’re looking for in your drink, and how much money you have to spend on it. There are many factors that go into choosing which one is better for you: flavor options, electrolytes, sugar levels, and price.
I personally prefer Waterboy because it contains more electrolytes than Liquid I.V., but Liquid I.V.’s flavors are far superior to those offered by Waterboy—so I get both!
All in all my favorite feature about Waterboy is that it contains L-theanine which helps combat anxiety without making me sleepy as some other anti-anxiety supplements do — an unexpected benefit that came as a pleasant surprise!
Waterboy costs a little more than Liquid I.V., but it does not contain any sugar or calories, which means that if you are trying to lose weight (or just don’t want all those extra calories), then Waterboy might be the right choice for you.
Takeaway
Waterboy has the better ingredients. But if you don’t like the flavor options and want something more affordable, then Liquid I.V. may be the right option for you.
They both have their strengths and weaknesses, but at the end of the day, they’re both really good products that are worth trying out! They taste delicious when chilled, and they’re both packed with electrolytes that can help you stay hydrated during your workout or other strenuous activity.!
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