Liquid I.V. Review

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Liquid I.V. is a powdered electrolyte drink mix designed to help your body absorb water more efficiently. It’s marketed as a faster, more effective way to hydrate than drinking plain water alone. At its core, the idea behind Liquid I.V. is based on a scientific principle called Oral Rehydration Therapy—something originally developed to treat severe dehydration from illnesses like diarrhea or vomiting. While the brand presents itself as innovative, the science behind it has been around for decades.

The Science Behind Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS)

To understand how Liquid I.V. works, it’s helpful to look at what an Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) actually is. An ORS is a specific mix of water, salt, and sugar designed to help your body absorb fluids faster. Here’s why that matters: in your intestines, sugar and salt work together to pull water into your bloodstream. Sugar helps absorb sodium, and sodium helps bring in water. This combination is much more effective than drinking plain water, especially when you’re dehydrated.

If you’re severely dehydrated, drinking only water can sometimes make the situation worse by diluting the sodium levels in your body even further. That’s why ORS solutions are used in medical settings—they replace not just water but also the electrolytes your body needs to function properly.

Is Liquid I.V. a Real ORS?

So, does Liquid I.V. meet the criteria for a true Oral Rehydration Solution? Not exactly. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an official ORS should contain specific amounts of sodium, potassium, and sugar. For a standard 16-ounce serving, a WHO-approved ORS has around 816 mg of sodium, 370 mg of potassium, and 6.4 grams of sugar.

Liquid I.V., in contrast, contains almost twice the amount of sugar and significantly less sodium than the WHO’s recommended formula. While it is inspired by the science of ORS, it doesn’t meet the strict definition. This means it’s not suitable for treating medical dehydration from illness but may be helpful for mild hydration needs—like after a workout or a long day in the sun.

Marketing vs. Reality

Despite not meeting WHO standards, Liquid I.V. claims its product is “classified as an Oral Rehydration Solution.” How is that possible? In the United States and many other countries, there are no strict regulations on using the term “ORS” unless a product is marketed as a medical treatment. Since Liquid I.V. is sold as a wellness or sports drink rather than a clinical remedy, the brand can use ORS terminology in its marketing without requiring FDA approval.

Liquid I.V. isn’t a true medical-grade Oral Rehydration Solution, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have its place. It can be a convenient option for casual hydration needs—especially for athletes, travelers, or anyone who wants a quick boost after sweating. Just keep in mind that if you’re dealing with serious dehydration from illness, a WHO-certified ORS or medical guidance is the way to go.

Liquid I.V. vs Other Electrolyte Drinks

When you line up Liquid I.V. against other hydration mixes like Gatorade or Pedialyte, the real question becomes: how do they compare to the gold standard—the World Health Organization’s Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS)? Spoiler alert: most popular commercial brands don’t come close. But if you’re serious about effective hydration, I’ve ranked them based on how closely they match the WHO’s proven formula.

Let’s start with the top contenders. NormaLyte and TRIORAL are the clear standouts here. Both come very close to replicating the true ORS formula without needing a prescription. They even offer flavored and unflavored options. NormaLyte uses sucralose in its flavored version, while TRIORAL uses stevia. Prefer to skip sweeteners altogether? Both brands have unflavored versions that stick closely to ORS specs—but fair warning, they taste like pure electrolytes, which can be tough to get down.

Next in line are the hydration mixes that try to copy ORS but add extra sugar to improve the flavor. Pedialyte Powder and Amazon Brand Electrolyte Mix are nearly identical (they might even come from the same manufacturer). Pedialyte keeps closer to the ideal sugar level, while DripDrop swings heavily in the other direction, packing in more sweetness. Liquid I.V. lands somewhere in the middle of that range.

Here’s where it gets tricky. If a hydration mix contains too much sugar, it can actually reverse the intended effect by pulling water out of your cells instead of helping absorb it. While low sodium is a concern, high sugar is the bigger issue. That said, Liquid I.V. scores some points by using cane sugar instead of artificial sweeteners or dyes—something you won’t find in Pedialyte or DripDrop. So if clean ingredients matter to you, that’s a plus.

Then you have the low-sugar options like HydroMATE and Nuun. The problem with these is that they don’t include enough glucose, which plays a critical role in sodium absorption. Without enough glucose working alongside sodium, hydration just isn’t as effective. And this issue becomes even more pronounced in the zero-sugar crowd—brands like LMNT and Ultima Replenisher. Sure, they’re marketed as keto-friendly and low-calorie, but they miss the mark when it comes to real hydration. Without glucose, you’re essentially drinking flavored water with a few minerals thrown in.

At the bottom of the list? Skratch Labs and Gatorade. Yes, they contain electrolytes, but the sugar content is sky-high—three to five times more than what you’d find in a WHO-approved ORS. That much sugar can cancel out any hydration benefits and may even lead to dehydration in some cases.

Cost-wise, most of these drink mixes fall somewhere between $1 and $1.50 per packet. Just keep in mind that not all are intended to be mixed with the same amount of water. Most recommend at least 16 ounces, but that can vary, so always check the label.

So what’s the verdict? TRIORAL is probably your best bet if you’re looking for effectiveness and affordability. It’s not the tastiest option, but it gets the job done. Liquid I.V.? It sits in the middle—not the best, not the worst, but definitely on the expensive side. Anything ranked below DripDrop likely won’t hydrate you any better than water, and in high-sugar cases, you might actually be better off skipping them altogether.

Making Your Own ORS at Home

If you’re after real hydration without the price tag, you can easily make your own ORS at home. Just mix 1 liter of clean water with 6 level teaspoons of sugar and ½ teaspoon of salt. Stir until everything is dissolved. That’s it. While this homemade mix doesn’t include flavorings or added vitamins, it’s just as effective for serious hydration—especially in cases of illness, heat exhaustion, or major fluid loss.

Do You Even Need an Electrolyte Drink?

Here’s the truth: unless you’re running marathons, working in extreme heat, or dealing with illness, you probably don’t need an electrolyte drink at all. For most people doing regular workouts or daily activities, plain water and a balanced diet are more than enough. Your body naturally replenishes electrolytes through food, and you lose only a small amount of salt through sweat during moderate exercise.

In fact, for the average person, adding electrolyte mixes just means consuming extra sugar and sodium your body doesn’t really need. And if you have high blood pressure or diabetes, those added ingredients could actually do more harm than good. Plus, the extra vitamins many of these mixes include don’t play a meaningful role in hydration.

So unless you’re facing a serious fluid loss situation, skip the hype. Drink some water. Eat a piece of fruit. You’ll hydrate just fine—and give your body something it actually needs.

Top supplement choices

• ORS (Amazon) – 1 sachet as needed
• ORS (DripDrop) – 1 sachet as needed
• ORS (Liquid IV) – 1 sachet as needed
• ORS (NormaLyte) – 1 sachet as needed
• ORS (Pedialyte) – 1 sachet as needed
• ORS (TRIORAL) – 1 sachet as needed

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