Liquid IV Reviews 2024: Pros, Cons & Is It Safe?

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Reviewed by Kathy Shattler, MS, RDN
liquid iv reviews

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liquid iv reviews

9.0

Ingredient Quality

8.0

Support Research

8.0

Brand’s Transparency

8.0

Value

Features

  • It uses an advanced system called Cellular Transport Technology
  • It is non-GMO and free of artificial colors and dyes
  • The product is allergen-free
  • There is free shipping within the United States

Brand Information

  • Founded by a former athlete 
  • Overseen by an orthopedic surgeon
  • Meets World Health Organization standards
  • Uses Cellular Transport Technology

Medical Benefits

  • Promotes mental clarity
  • Hydrates faster than water alone
  • Improves exercise performance
  • Reduces signs of aging

About The Brand

Liquid IV is a company founded in 2002 by former athlete Brandin Cohen. They have created functional beverages with different health-boosting benefits. Liquid IV products include powdered supplements that can enhance immune function, provide increased energy multiplier, promote better sleep, and support proper hydration. In addition, each of their products does not contain any genetically modified organisms (non-GMO), and they are gluten-free, soy-free, and dairy-free.   

Liquid IV is overseen by medical director Dr. Brad Thomas, a world-renowned orthopedic surgeon. As a humanitarian effort, the company donates one serving to a person in need for every purchase. To date, they have donated over 16 million servings globally. 

As with all health and wellness products, you should always do your own research before adding a supplement to your diet. Check out Liquid IV reviews to hear what real people are saying about their innovative Hydration Multiplier products.

What Is Liquid IV Hydration Multiplier?

Did you know the human body can digest water before it can be fully absorbed? Liquid IV Hydration Multiplier is designed to increase the absorption rate of water (and other essential ingredients) into the bloodstream before being digested. It uses a patented system called Cellular Transport Technology (CTT) that uses sodium, glucose, potassium, and other ingredients to make this process happen to deliver hydration almost immediately.

The World Health Organization has created rigorous standards for Oral Rehydration Solutions, and Liquid IV Hydration Multiplier was based on these standards. One stick contains more than twice the electrolytes of other hydration beverages. From developing countries to disaster-stricken areas, people worldwide have benefitted from solutions like this.

Sounds good so far, right? So, you might be wondering where to buy Liquid IV. You can order directly from their website, Amazon, and other retailers such as CVS, GNC, and Costco.

Feature Product & Coupon

liquid iv reviews

Liquid IV

  • Liquid IV Hydration Multiplier can improve exercise performance.
  • It has the potential to help curb travel-related issues such as jet lag, anxiety, and fatigue.
  • Liquid IV can cause you to burn calories more effectively than water alone. 
  • Each stick is high in both salt (500 milligrams) and added sugar (11 grams).  
  • It’s expensive when ordered from the company website.
  • Some customers have complained about the Liquid IV taste if the product isn’t consumed immediately.

Does Liquid IV Work?

As with any wellness product, there are benefits and disadvantages to using Liquid IV. So, does Liquid IV work? You can find many pros sprinkled around Liquid IV’s website, but it takes a little digging into more than one Liquid IV review to find a comprehensive list of cons.

Hydration Multiplier Ingredients 

liquid iv reviews
Hydration Multiplier Ingredients List

Liquid IV Hydration Multiplier has 12 ingredients. Many of them are sourced from plants, such as stevia leaf extract. All of them are non-GMO, and there are no artificial colors, sweeteners, or dyes. 

Some of the present components were included for the purpose of nutrient delivery, while others support cells in staying healthy. More than one ingredient focuses on getting water absorbed into the bloodstream. Liquid IV contains several natural sources of electrolytes, and the rest are there to enhance the flavor or create the powder’s smooth texture. The product comes in a variety of flavors, including the original Lemon Lime, Lemon Ginger flavor, Strawberry, Passion Fruit, and Apple Pie.

Here is a list of the active ingredients in Liquid I.V Hydration Multiplier:

  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamins B3, B5, B6, and B12
  • Potassium Citrate
  • Citric acid
  • Dipotassium phosphate
  • Silicon dioxide
  • Stevia leaf extract
  • Natural flavors
  • Pure cane sugar
  • Mined salt
  • Sodium citrate
  • Dextrose

It should be noted that while the product claims to be gluten-free, it hasn’t been technically certified as such. Therefore, anyone with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity may want to use the product with caution initially. Cross-contamination with other ingredients at the manufacturing facility could introduce gluten into the final product.

Sodium

Salt and sodium aren’t the same things because sodium is a form of salt. The sodium found in salt plays a vital role in the Hydration Multiplier’s Cellular Transport Technology. When it’s added to the right amount of sugar, sodium helps the body[1] absorb water into the bloodstream faster. This can help your body replace what it loses when you sweat. 

Potassium

Potassium[2] is the electrolyte drink mix that makes bananas popular with people who suffer from muscle cramps. The potassium found in Liquid IV Hydration Multiplier comes from potassium citrate and dipotassium phosphate, and it has a few different jobs. Potassium helps the body maintain the right balance of fluids and delivers nutrients to the bloodstream, and this electrolyte is also known to enhance bone health. 

Glucose

Our bodies naturally make glucose, often referred to as blood sugar, but it’s also found in different fruits and plants. Glucose is highly absorbable[3] and helps in the transport of sodium and water across the cell membranes, which is why it’s included in the Liquid IV Hydration Multiplier. The company uses glucose in the form of dextrose to improve the rate its products are taken into the bloodstream. Glucose is also an important fuel for muscle contraction, and it can help our brains think.

Alternatives To Liquid IV

evlution nutrition

Evlution Nutrition HYDRAMINO Complete Hydration Multiplier

See Evlution Nutrition Reviews

  • Consumers report it tastes great
  • Seen as a good value
  • Appropriate for people on a keto diet
  • It doesn’t dissolve completely
  • May cause diarrhea in some people
keppi electrolyte powder

Keppi Electrolyte Powder

See Keppi Electrolyte Powder Reviews

  • Helps curb unhealthy food cravings
  • Compact container makes traveling easy
  • More affordable than other hydration supplements
  • Doesn’t dissolve well
  • Shipping from the website is slow

Liquid IV Reviews: What Do Real Users Say?

Nothing quite helps you take the plunge like reading what previous users have to say about a product. Here are personal Athletic Greens reviews from customers:

“I am so glad my grandson introduced me to Liquid IV. I had been having problems with getting dehydrated…even had to go to the hospital for it! I showed it to my doctor, who was delighted that I was going to take it, and said she uses it herself. I have noticed a big difference in how I feel after being on it for a month. I am 91 years old and feel like I now have a new lease on life. Thank you!!!”

Artist 

“Sold for life on this product. I suffer from extreme dehydration – extreme to the point where I am hospitalized and can easily finish off two bags of IV fluids in a matter of an hour. After my 6th hospital stay for dehydration within three months, I said there has to be SOMETHING that can HELP. I researched and tested multiple products, and Liquid IV is by far the best. Since taking this steadily for five months, no more hospital stays for dehydration and let alone can exercise and play softball without suffering from cramps or the shakes. The taste is fantastic, which is a subtle lemon/lime flavor and isn’t “oily” as some of the other products that are similar. Definitely, worth the purchase – you will not be disappointed.”

Juan

“From the immediate first sip, this product made me feel weird. I pushed through two to three packets, and it continued to make me feel so weird that I stopped taking it. Not more than a couple of weeks later, I had a seizure. I’m 45 years old, and I’ve never had a seizure before in my life, and I don’t have any medical conditions that would bring on a seizure. I can’t prove that Liquid IV was the cause of it, but I strongly believe it was because I know my body very well, and I know how that product made me feel when I was taking it. The seizure that I had is called a grand mal seizure, and it occurs for many reasons, but one of the reasons that one could have caused this type of seizure is an imbalance of electrolytes. Since liquid IV adds to your electrolytes, this is another reason why I believe it was the cause. I’m just putting my warning out there for everybody to be very careful with this product, and if you have a seizure, please let me know and let your doctors know that you were taking this product.”

S. Smith

Health Benefits Of Hydration Multiplier

The ingredients sound healthy, but is drinking Liquid IV good for you? Since it includes components that improve water absorption into the bloodstream, Liquid IV Hydration Multiplier helps you stay hydrated more than water alone. In addition, it enhances exercise performance by keeping muscles from becoming dehydrated and cramping. So whether you’re working out or recovering from a marathon, this drink will help you boost energy and bounce back faster.  

Since it contains ingredients to improve brain function, it can also help keep you focused while you work or study. Another significant aspect is that whether you travel for work or pleasure, Liquid IV can help you stay energized and decrease jet lag and anxiety. But does liquid IV help with hangovers? Yes! Some Liquid IV reviews even go so far as to call it a lifesaver since it cures dehydration so quickly after a long night of drinking alcohol. This is because the electrolytes counteract alcohol’s dehydrating effects, which helps it work faster than water alone.

If you’re looking to slim down and look younger, this product can help in both areas. Since you burn about one calorie for every fluid ounce of water your body soaks up, Liquid IV helps you burn more calories than water. Lastly, proper hydration is essential for keeping the skin looking young. Adding this to your drinking water can reduce signs of aging, including wrinkles.

Potential Side Effects

The saying “You can’t get something for nothing” applies to nutritional supplements as well as finance. It’s always advisable to check with your doctor before introducing a new supplement into your diet. Just about everything we put into our bodies, even plant products, can have adverse side effects. 

People with certain health conditions need to be especially careful when using this hydration multiplier. The high amount of sugar (11 g) in each stick may adversely affect some diabetic patients. People with high blood pressure need to be aware of the high sodium content in each stick. Research suggests ingesting large amounts of sodium can cause new kidney stones in patients who already suffer from them.

There are cautions for the general public, too. If you skim through Liquid IV Hydration Multiplier reviews, you’ll find more common side effects. One of the most commonly reported ones is diarrhea. Other people have also listed headaches, fatigue, fever, nausea, chills, and pain in the hands or feet.

Dosage

What’s the correct dosage of Liquid IV Hydration Multiplier sticks? The directions on the website advise consumers to combine one Liquid IV powder packet with 16 ounces of cold water, and then shake the container well to ensure the powder gets evenly distributed. It’s acceptable to use more or less water, depending on how strong of a flavor you prefer.
While the company doesn’t state outright that the product should be used every day, the website does say, “Many of our consumers enjoy Liquid IV Hydration Multiplier on a daily basis to rehydrate during or after tough workouts while traveling or on one of life’s adventures.”  This probably means if you sit at a desk all day, you might not need to drink liquid seven days a week. 

Final Thought

This form of oral hydration therapy is beneficial for certain groups of people, but is Liquid IV safe for everyone? It seems like an excellent choice for highly active athletes or those recovering from illnesses that cause dehydration. Liquid IV is also a healthy option for people who live in third-world countries and don’t have access to enough clean drinking water.  

However, if you’re just an average Joe with a basic to moderate activity level, is Liquid IV worth it? This may not be the best product to use on a daily basis, and it is not a healthy choice for diabetics and people with high blood pressure, either. In the end, your overall health and hydration needs depend on whether or not Liquid IV is good for you!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Liquid IV more hydrating than water?

Its Cellular Transport Technology (CTT) is designed to help your body absorb water more rapidly than water alone. There are also electrolytes not found in water that increase hydration.

Is Liquid IV better than Gatorade?

Liquid IV has three times the electrolytes and less than half the sugar and calories of Gatorade. However, it is more expensive than Gatorade, so keep that in mind when you decide whether or not to choose it over traditional sports drinks.

Is Liquid IV good for kidneys?

Since kidney problems are often caused by dehydration, Liquid IV can support healthy kidney function. It can replenish electrolytes and allow the body to absorb more water. If you have kidney stones, just be aware that the high sodium level can create more of them.

+ 3 Sources

Tnhealth has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We work mostly with peer-reviewed studies to ensure accurate information. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

  1. Rakova, N., Kitada, K., Lerchl, K., Dahlmann, A., Birukov, A., Daub, S., Kopp, C., Pedchenko, T., Zhang, Y., Beck, L., Johannes, B., Marton, A., Müller, D.N., Rauh, M., Luft, F.C. and Titze, J. (2017). Increased salt consumption induces body water conservation and decreases fluid intake. Journal of Clinical Investigation, [online] 127(5), pp.1932–1943. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28414302/
  2. Stone, M., Martyn, L. and Weaver, C. (2016). Potassium Intake, Bioavailability, Hypertension, and Glucose Control. Nutrients, [online] 8(7), p.444. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27455317/
  3. Bhattacharya SK (2021). History of development of oral rehydration therapy. Indian journal of public health, [online] 38(2). Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7530695/

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