Liquid I.V. is an online retailer specializing in non-GMO electrolyte powders.

Electrolytes are chemicals that conduct electricity when they dissolve in water. They are essential for many functions in the body. Potassium and sodium are two electrolytes that are present in the human body and in Liquid I.V.’s products.

The company uses a proprietary Cellular Transport Technology (CTT) process in its formulations. CTT is a combination of sodium, potassium, glucose, and micronutrients.

Liquid I.V. offers a range of products that promote hydration and support other health goals:

• Hydration Multiplier
• Hydration Multiplier + Immune Support
• Energy Multiplier
• Hydration Multiplier + Probiotic Kombucha

The company’s products come in single-serving packets or sticks, which a person mixes into about 16 ounces (oz) of cold water before drinking.

The company states that it practices carbon reduction, water stewardship, zero-waste manufacturing and packaging goals, and regenerative sourcing. It promotes access to safe water and has donated 36 million servings of Liquid I.V. to communities in need since 2013. It advocates for water security by supporting collaborative solutions to international water access issues.

ResearchTrusted Source suggests that consuming an electrolyte solution could help prevent dehydration, kidney damage, and muscle weakness in people who are exerting themselves in hot, humid conditions. However, this does not necessarily mean that Liquid I.V. is good for you, and people should not use Liquid I.V. to replace regular hydration with water.

Advocates claim that Liquid I.V. products can help replenish electrolytes quickly. The brand’s website and online reviewers state that the products formulated for specific purposes, such as boosting energy and supporting immune health, are very effective.

Additionally, because Liquid I.V. products do not contain gluten, soy, dairy, or GMO ingredients, they are safe for people with allergies or sensitivities to these ingredients.

However, there is no conclusive research to back up the company’s claims about the effectiveness or safety of its proprietary ratios and blends.

Liquid I.V. products contain large amounts of sugar and sodium and often provide much more than the recommended Daily Value (DV) for certain nutrients.

Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that consuming 400 milligrams (mg) of caffeine — four or five cups of coffee — per day may notTrusted Source produce dangerous effects, every person will react differently to caffeine.

The 100 mg of caffeine in certain Liquid I.V. products may be enough to produce side effects such as shaking or nausea in some people, and some customer reviews say that these side effects can occur after drinking Liquid I.V.

People who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medications should consult a doctor before trying Liquid I.V. to find out whether they should avoid or limit caffeine intake.

Below, we look at the most popular Liquid I.V. products.

Please note that the writer of this article has not tried this service. Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.

Hydration Multiplier

• Price: $24.99 for 16 sticks, or $1.56 per stick
• Type: non-GMO electrolyte powder
• Flavors: Watermelon, Strawberry, Passion Fruit, and nine others

According to the product website, this supplement hydrates a person faster than water and has five times the electrolytes of traditional sports drinks.

Flavors in addition to the above are:

• Seaberry
• Strawberry Lemonade
• Tropical Punch
• Piña Colada
• Concord Grape
• Golden Cherry
• Acai Berry
• Guava
• Lemon-Lime

The product features a specific sodium, glucose, and potassium ratio, which reportedly speeds up water delivery to the body. Additionally, it contains vitamin C and vitamins B3, B5, and B6.

It does not contain any GMO ingredients. It is also gluten-, soy-, and dairy-free.

Energy Multiplier

• Price: $24.99 for 14 sticks, or $1.78 per stick
• Type: non-GMO electrolyte powder
• Flavors: Mango Tamarind, Lemon Ginger, Yuzu Pineapple

This product reportedly provides a hydration rate twice that of water, plus energy for the mind and body, in a format that is easy and convenient for people on the go.

According to the website, the product aims to provide energy and hydration without crashes. It contains about 100 mg of caffeine, roughly the same as one to two 8-oz cups of coffee. However, unlike coffee, Liquid I.V. formulates this drink powder to hydrate the body with CTT.

The energy booster comes from a proprietary blend of Coffeeberry Energy Extract, CognatIQ Coffee Fruit Extract, and L-theanine.

Hydration Multiplier + Immune Support

• Price: $24.99 for 14 sticks, or $1.78 per stick
• Type: non-GMO electrolyte powder
• Flavors: Wild Berry, Tangerine

This product reportedly provides all the hydration of Liquid I.V. plus support for the immune system. The hydrating power comes from the company’s proprietary CTT formula.

The immune system boost comes from the company’s proprietary algae blend, BetaVia, which reportedly strengthens the immune system and upper respiratory tract.

Below, our tester JaTory Reid gives their hands-on review of the Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier.

The reviewer in this article received free products from Liquid I.V. to try. All opinions are their own.

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My experience

“I used the Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier for up to a month and liked to mix it up in a shaker bottle or just add it to a regular bottle of water. As a longtime user of Liquid I.V., I found that the taste and texture have improved tremendously. Using the right amount of water eliminates powdery textures while still providing an invigorating flavor.”

As a sports drink

“I have used Liquid I.V. products to prep for sports competitions, and there is a noticeable difference compared to drinking water alone.

“I have an active lifestyle, and with that I need to stay hydrated. However, I struggle to drink enough water each day. The Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier has made a noticeable difference in eliminating brain fog, muscle cramps, and overall fatigue for me.”

As a hangover prevention

“I have experimented with the timing and frequency of drinking Liquid I.V. to try and find the best routine. I have tried drinking a packet the morning after a night out, and it helped reduce headaches, muscle fatigue, and mental fogginess better than water alone. Drinking a packet before going to bed was also effective.

“Ultimately, though, I have found that a packet at the start and end of the night proved the best combination to reduce hangover symptoms.”

As a treatment for illness

“I recently had a stomach virus and used Liquid I.V. to treat my dehydration and headaches. I couldn’t hold down any solid foods, nor could I drink a lot of water. Liquid I.V. really helped me maximize the amount of electrolytes I was drinking and helped treat any further ailment that came along with the stomach virus.

“However, people should talk with a doctor before using Liquid I.V. in their recovery from illness.”

Who Liquid I.V. would suit

“In my opinion, this product would be suitable for everyone, from athletes looking to recover from workouts to health-conscious consumers just looking to stay on top of their daily hydration.

“I’d also recommend Liquid I.V. if you’re a heavy sweater, work a labor-intensive job, or find it hard to stay hydrated throughout the day.

“However, it’s important to talk with a doctor before trying Liquid I.V. products, as everyone can react differently to their ingredients.”

Liquid I.V. products typically contain the same main ingredients, most notably the company’s CTT “delivery system,” which can reportedly help the body absorb water and nutrients more quickly. Liquid I.V. states that its precise and proprietary CTT ratio of sodium, glucose, and potassium allows the body to absorb nutrients and water earlier in the digestive system.

Typical nutrients in Liquid I.V. products include:

• Niacin: This B vitamin helps the body convertTrusted Source food into energy.
• Vitamin B6: This vitamin supportsTrusted Source the immune system, cognitive development, and hemoglobin formation.
• Vitamin B12: This vitamin is essentialTrusted Source for the central nervous system and the formation of red blood cells.
• Potassium: This nutrient is essentialTrusted Source throughout the body, including for kidney, heart, nerve, and muscle function.

Specific products also have ingredients that reportedly tackle specific health issues, such as strengthening the immune system. These ingredients often include the company’s own supplement blends. For example:

• Energy Multiplier contains the manufacturer’s Coffeeberry Energy Extract and CognatIQ Coffee Fruit Extract, as well as 100 mg of natural caffeine.
• Hydration Multiplier + Immune Support contains 504 mg of vitamin C (560% of the DV), zinc, and Liquid I.V.’s BetaVia, which reportedly supports upper respiratory health and strengthens the immune system.

Packs of Liquid I.V. sticks typically cost around $25 for the smallest pack sizes. Below, we break down the cost per pack size, as not all products are available in the full range of sizes.

Membership

A person can purchase a box or bag of Liquid I.V. packets as a one-time purchase or sign up for a LIV Membership. The LIV Membership costs $5 every 3 months. A person can cancel at any time, but the company does not offer refunds for cancellation before the end of a quarter.

Membership benefits include:

• automatic 20% discount on every order
• advance notice of new products and promotions
• exclusive access to LIV experiences
• merchandise

Bundles

Liquid I.V. also offers bundles, which allow a person to purchase different combinations of the company’s products and save money. It offers 18 types of bundles, starting at $34.99.

The table below compares Liquid I.V. products on price, flavor range, and ingredients.

Liquid I.V. has a mixed reputation online.

Liquid I.V. does not have accreditation with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). It has a D rating from the BBB because it has not responded to all the complaints people have filed against it and because of the length of time the company has been in operation.

It has an average review score of 3 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, based on just three reviews. Negative reviews focus on poor customer service. The single positive review comments that the products are effective for a range of physical activities.

It has a very positive reputation on Amazon, with an average review score of 4.5–4.7 out of 5 stars across more than 100,000 reviews. However, some buyers found Liquid I.V. too sugary, and others did not like the flavors they selected. Others were upset by the high sodium content and said it affected the taste.

One user reported experiencing shakes and heart palpitations after drinking a packet of Liquid I.V., but spreading one packet across several glasses of water did not produce this side effect.

Liquid I.V. infuses its products with electrolytes, while some other beverages are natural sources of these. Below is a list of alternatives that contain large amounts of electrolytes.

Coconut water

Coconut water contains potassium, calcium, sodium, and magnesium. According to the USDA, 240 grams (g), or about 8 fluid ounces (fl oz), of unsweetened coconut water containsTrusted Source:

• 396 mg of potassium
• 16.8 mg of calcium
• 62.4 mg of sodium
• 14.4 mg of magnesium

Orange juice

Fruit juices such as orange juice contain large amounts of electrolytes such as magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus. A 124-g (4-fl oz) container of 100% orange juice containsTrusted Source:

• 13.6 mg of magnesium
• 221 mg of potassium
• 34.7 mg of phosphorus

While fruit juice is high in electrolytes, it is also high in sugar, with 10.3 g of sugar per 124-g (4-fl oz) container.

Cow’s milk

Cow’s milk is another natural source of electrolytes. A 244-g (8-fl oz) serving of whole cow’s milk providesTrusted Source:

• 300 mg of calcium
• 366 mg of potassium
• 92.7 mg of sodium

A person can consult a healthcare professional if they are experiencing consistently low energy or fatigue, as this may suggest an underlying health condition.

Someone experiencing signs of severe dehydration needs medical attention as soon as possible. These signs are:

• lack of sweating
• sunken eyes
• shriveled and dry skin
• low blood pressure
• increased heart rate
• fever
• delirium
• loss of consciousness

Below are answers to common questions about Liquid I.V.

Is Liquid I.V. good for you?

Liquid I.V. can help rehydrate people after exercise and replenish vitamins and minerals, but it may not provide many health benefits outside of this primary function. There are no scientific studies looking into the health benefits of Liquid I.V., and there is limited research into the brand’s proprietary blends.

Is it OK to drink Liquid I.V. every day?

According to online reviews, the product website, and reviews of the company’s ingredients, it should be safe for most people to drink Liquid I.V. every day. However, it is high in sugar and sodium, and the caffeine content in some of the products may be unsuitable for some people.

People should prioritize drinking water for everyday hydration and reserve electrolyte products such as Liquid I.V. for use during and after exercise.

What are the disadvantages of Liquid I.V.?

Two of the biggest disadvantages of Liquid I.V. are its high sodium and sugar levels, even for an electrolyte powder. Additionally, no scientific evidence supports the claims regarding the effectiveness of the company’s proprietary ratios and additives, such as CTT, Coffeeberry Energy Extract, CognatIQ Coffee Fruit Extract, and BetaVia.

Is Liquid I.V. safe for kidneys?

If a person uses these products as the company directs, Liquid I.V. should be safe for kidneys in healthy adults. The company’s products might help prevent dehydration, which can increase the risk of kidney damage. However, Liquid I.V. is unlikely to be safe for people with preexisting kidney conditions.

Additionally, a small 2020 studyTrusted Source evaluating the effects of electrolyte supplements on hydration and the health of people working outdoors in hot conditions found that these supplements helped maintain kidney function and reduce muscle injury.

Is Liquid I.V. better than Pedialyte?

Liquid I.V. and Pedialyte are both electrolyte mixes that a person adds to water. They both use the World Health Organization’s rehydration solution and are very similar in ingredients and function. However, Liquid I.V. contains added vitamins and minerals at levels well over the recommended DV. This may increase the risk of taking in too much of certain nutrients.

Liquid I.V. is an online retailer specializing in non-GMO electrolyte powders formulated using the company’s proprietary Cellular Transport Technology process. The company’s products aim to support hydration and other health goals. The company has a mixed reputation online, but thousands of user reviews suggest that the products can be effective.

However, the products contain significant amounts of sugar and sodium, and no data support the company’s claims of effectiveness for its proprietary ingredients or blends.