Liquid IV Review: What Is It, and Is It Worth Buying?
0
5915
10 min
How do we vet brands and products? Learn more.
Are you hydrated enough?
Getting enough water isn’t as easy as it sounds.
Many Americans don’t have a sufficient water intake, while some require a more potent remedy to maximize health benefits.
Liquid IV is the electrolyte drink mix that utilizes essential ingredients to hydrate your system, reaching cells easier and faster than water can. Using the science of Cellular Transport Technology, nutrients can reach the bloodstream more quickly and efficiently.
The result? Proper hydration that improves performance, energy, calorie-burning, and mental clarity.
To determine whether Liquid IV is something you should try, we explore what it is, the benefits, possible side effects, and the ingredients.
Summary
Made in the US, Liquid IV is a drink mix containing electrolytes and nutrients.
The team behind the brand uses CTT, a science-based delivery system that rapidly increases the absorption of water and nutrients into the bloodstream.
Unlike other electrolyte beverages, Liquid IV follows the standards set out by the World Health Organization for Oral Rehydration Solution.
The products include 3x the number of electrolytes found in sports drinks and 5 essential vitamins – B3, B5, B6, B12, and vitamin C.
Liquid IV vs. Keto Cycle Fuel
The table below outlines the main benefits, pros, and cons of Liquid IV and Keto Cycle Fuel to give you an idea of how the two compare.
.svg){kind=icon}
Facilitates ketosis
Curbs appetite
Burns fat faster
Reduces the symptoms of keto flu
Enhances hydration
Addresses specific health concerns
2–3x more hydrating than water
Facilitates ketosis
Curbs appetite
Burns fat faster
Reduces the symptoms of keto flu
Enhances hydration
Addresses specific health concerns
2–3x more hydrating than water
What Is Liquid IV?
Liquid IV is a drink mix line of powders designed to add to water as a hydration multiplier. It is formulated with a specific ratio of electrolytes to deliver hydration, target energy levels, and improve sleep.
Liquid IV is different from drinking water and other electrolyte beverages. The reason? Cellular Transport Technology (CTT) is a breakthrough science that uses a unique ratio of sodium, glucose, and potassium.
The nutrients and water create an osmotic force, allowing water to deliver directly into the bloodstream faster. It is essentially an accelerated water delivery system.
CEO Brandin Cohen founded Liquid IV in 2012 as part of a mission to better lives. The mission seeks to change the world with a focus on hydration, body optimization, and helping the planet.
The business is closely associated with many humanitarian projects. Since 2015, 16 million servings have been donated to populations in the US and worldwide to help those in need.
The aim of Liquid IV is to help you stay hydrated. But the brand has products available in a range of types and bundles with formulas to target hydration, energy, sleep, immune support, and overall wellness. There are many flavors, too, including acai berry, lemon-lime, passion fruit, and watermelon.
Is Liquid IV Good for You?
The science behind Liquid IV suggests that this electrolyte drink mix is good for you.
CTT uses 3 primary electrolytes (sodium, glucose, and potassium) to enhance the body’s ability to absorb nutrients and water into the blood by altering the osmotic concentration.
In other words, the nutrients take effect a lot faster.
Liquid IV originates with the World Health Organization’s guidelines for Oral Rehydration Solution, a medical formula developed in 1978.
Oral Rehydration Solution is a tried and tested blend of sodium, glucose, and water, a combination used to fight the serious adverse effects of dehydration. It is used throughout the world in developing countries and disaster zones to support the hydration of those in need.
Most notably, it is used in the management of diarrheal dehydration.
With its roots in ORS, Liquid IV uses a combination of ingredients in careful doses to increase water absorption in your body. With the addition of vitamin B and vitamin C, the hydration powder offers a nutrient-packed liquid in just one packet.
Based on the scientific results, Liquid IV appears good for you.
Liquid IV Side Effects
Liquid IV claims that many consumers use the products daily, but advise a doctor consultation to address any queries or concerns.
Liquid IV is made with quality ingredients and formulated in facilities that comply with the requirements of the FDA. It seems safety is covered, but it’s best to speak with your doctor before taking any dietary supplements.
To assess potential side effects, let’s take a look at some of the ingredients.
Firstly, Liquid IV is non-GMO, gluten-free, soy-free, and dairy-free. That’s a green light for many people.
The Hydration Multiplier has sugar and calories, although less than sports drinks which tend to be super sugary. If you are watching your caloric intake, you might want to opt for one of the products with fewer calories.
The pure cane sugar and salt combination enhances water absorption in the correct ratio. The sodium and sugar content can be a concern for some, especially with diabetes or heart diseases.
The Energy Multiplier contains 100mg of caffeine in each serving. For most healthy adults, one packet per day will be sufficient. Excessive caffeine can cause adverse side effects, including headaches, dizziness, restlessness, shakiness, and anxiety.
Some negative side effects have been associated with the Liquid IV Lemon Lime solution.
Possible effects can be a result of too much salt in the body. These include convulsions, fast heartbeat, high blood pressure, muscle twitches, restlessness, and swelling of the feet or lower legs.
Symptoms of this nature require medical attention.
There is no guarantee of how your body will react to electrolyte solutions. Every individual is different, and experiences may differ.
To avoid any adverse effects, you should check the information of each electrolyte powder before deciding which one to purchase. Think about what you want from the product, and then weigh out the pros and cons of the ingredients.
Do Hydration Multipliers Work?
The big question is whether hydration multipliers work.
We know that Oral Rehydration Therapy has been particularly successful in reducing deaths caused by diarrhea in developing countries.
And as CTT (Cellular Transport Technology) is based on the WHO guidelines for Oral Rehydration Therapy, we can safely assume that these drinks do work in terms of boosting hydration.
But do hydration multipliers work for healthy individuals?
Aside from supporting dehydrated populations across the globe, Liquid IV generally targets health-focused consumers. It aims to help hydration in people who aren’t drinking enough water or those involved in sports and athleticism.
The electrolyte mix plus other nutrients will likely support proper hydration. However, it is not essential for many people who regularly exercise to replace electrolytes.
Plain water is enough for most healthy adults, but hydration multipliers can deliver if you want extra hydration to boost energy levels.
Many people like to use hydration multipliers before or after exercise, as a hangover cure after drinking alcohol, or to refresh in the hot sun. You can use it in specific scenarios to rehydrate promptly rather than as a daily remedy.
The Liquid IV Ingredient List
Liquid IV tastes great because of the many flavor options available. All products are non-GMO, soy-free, dairy-free, and gluten-free. It appeals to customers of all dietary requirements.
Flavoring aside, the products contain multiple nutrients in just one stick. Here is a list of the ingredients found in the Hydration Multiplier, according to the Liquid IV website.
Vitamins B3, B5, B6, and B12
B vitamins play a key role in maintaining good health. As well as supporting the body’s cellular function, vitamin B boosts energy levels by helping the body convert food into energy.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is an antioxidant that is vital in the repair and protection of cells and body tissues. It supports the proper function of the immune system, maintains bone and cartilage health, and helps alleviate colds.
Potassium citrate
Potassium is an essential electrolyte. It regulates fluid balance and transports nutrients to the bloodstream. It also helps the nerve cells function and the muscles contract, preventing muscle cramps. It is a key component of the CTT system.
Citric acid
Citric acid helps the body better absorb minerals. Liquid IV uses citric acid from natural sources to balance the flavor of products.
Dextrose
Dextrose is a simple sugar made from corn. It might cause an allergic reaction such as hives, difficult breathing, fever, or swelling in your feet or hands. Dextrose might be harmful to people who have diabetes as it spikes up blood sugar.
Other ingredients include:
- Dipotassium phosphate
- Silicon dioxide
- Stevia leaf extract
- Pure cane sugar
- Mined salt
- Sodium citrate
- Natural flavors extracted from natural sources like fruits and vegetables
How to use Liquid IV
To use Liquid IV products, mix one stick with 16 ounces of plain water (this may vary depending on specific products). Wait until it dissolves, and drink up.
A Word From Our RD
Hydration is essential to the human body.
Staying hydrated is crucial for numerous reasons. It carries nutrients and oxygen to cells, maintains organ function, protects tissue, lubricates joints, and regulates body temperature. It also helps balance and maintain body fluids.
Good hydration brings other health benefits, including good sleep hygiene, improved mood, and concentration.
Many people don’t drink enough water and miss out on essential electrolytes. This is where hydration multipliers come in.
Hydration multipliers are designed to deliver water and nutrients to the bloodstream much faster than drinking water alone.
Dehydration can be dangerous, but most people can treat dehydration by consuming water. Electrolyte drink mixes serve as an extra boost, but it’s important to note that hydration multipliers may have side effects, too.
No evidence of specific harm has been found tied to hydration powders, but it is certainly possible to develop an electrolyte imbalance.
Taking dietary supplements every day isn’t always suitable or necessary, depending on your health situation. Before adding a hydration product to your routine, you should discuss dietary changes with your doctor.
How We Tested the Product
To review Liquid IV, we thought about the following points.
The science
We looked at the science behind Liquid IV. The evidence seems to stand up with its origins in the rigorously-tested Oral Rehydration Solution. The team behind Liquid IV has managed to put a new spin on a scientifically-proven formula to deliver hydration solutions to the population.
The ingredients
Although the sugar and salt content is high for some, the ingredients are clean and nutrient-rich. Each component has been selected for its specific properties and health benefits.
For instance, mined salt accelerates water absorption in the blood, while potassium citrate is an essential electrolyte to balance fluids and transport nutrients through the body.
The taste
When a drink mix tastes good, it can make a big difference. Liquid IV offers several different flavors to ensure a powder matches your preference.
Choices include acai berry, passion fruit, tangerine, watermelon, and lemon-lime flavor. There’s even piña colada if you want to mix things up.
FAQs
Yes, Liquid IV does contain sugar.
In most cases, Liquid IV is safe for healthy adults to drink. However, you should seek medical advice from your doctor to ensure the product is suitable for you, especially if you have diabetes or high blood pressure due to the sugar and sodium content.
One serving per day is the recommended consumption for Liquid IV. Mix one stick with water and drink. Check the packaging to find the exact water ratio for each product.
You can purchase Liquid IV online through the official brand website.
The Verdict
While we don’t think that Liquid IV is a necessity, we do believe it offers the real deal when it comes to hydrating powders. With premium ingredients widely known for their benefits to human health, it’s hard to ignore that it could boost your energy, improve overall wellness, and hydrate you for sure.
Overall, it appears to be a firm choice for individuals looking to rehydrate or increase hydration. It’s pretty promising that the company is involved in social causes across the globe, too.
There is, however, the risk of electrolyte imbalance when taking hydrating powders. Don’t forget to seek medical advice if you have questions about Liquid IV. An expert will judge whether the powders are a healthy choice for you personally.
After hours of testing and comparing, we have to say that Keto Cycle FUEL is a clear winner here.
Edibel Quintero is a medical doctor who graduated in 2013 from the University of Zulia and has been working in her profession since then. She specializes in obesity and nutrition, physical rehabilitation, sports massage and post-operative rehabilitation. Edibel's goal is to help people live healthier lives by educating them about food, exercise, mental wellness and other lifestyle choices that can improve their quality of life.
Comments (0)