Overall Score
- Effectiveness 90%
- Flavor 80%
- Ingredients 100%
Key Takeaways
On-Demand Rapid Hydration
Workout and Recovery Enhancer
Give your body the hydration it needs to achieve peak results at the gym or workout studio
Hangover Helper
Shake off the weekday happy hour and stay productive the morning after a night out
Interested in Buying?
Overview
Liquid IV set out to create a highly effective and great tasting hydration product based on the globally recognized rehydration formula, Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS). ORS was developed in the 1960’s after the discovery that adding glucose to electrolyte rehydration mixes dramatically improves water absorption1 making it an effective treatment for cholera, severe dehydration and other conditions that stem from fluid loss. Even though nothing about the Liquid “IV” product is intravenous, we imagine they included “IV” in the name to help demonstrate it’s quick effects.
Headed out for a beach day? Pack a Liquid IV to help you stay hydrated while you enjoy the time out under the sun. You won’t regret it!
A product with this history and current-day use might be assumed to taste like medicine, but that is definitely not the case. We found Liquid IV to have an appealing flavor that was enjoyed by our entire (and sometimes picky) team. The praise for this product doesn’t stop at the taste though. We found it to be highly effective in restoring hydration levels in a variety of situations spanning from post workout to post night out. Adding the powder to your water is a breeze; the packaging tears open in a controlled way and can be easily poured into a wide or narrow-mouth bottle. Within 15 to 20 minutes of consumption you’ll notice the results and feel an improved sense of wellbeing. The brand claims the product can provide hydration 2-3x faster than water on its own.2 We completely agree with these claims and encourage readers to try it out themselves to appreciate the effects.
Keeping with the history of the formula, Liquid IV meets World Health Organization standards and donates millions of servings per year to people in need across the globe. We love their mission to serve those in needs and see this as another compelling reason to regularly use this product.
Effectiveness
Liquid IV is truly hydration on demand and can deliver a boost whenever it’s needed most. Our team tested it at various hours of the day, before and after a number of activities and found it to be particularly effective post workout as well as for hangover prevention and recovery. One reviewer put this product to the test over the course of a few days while cross country skiing in Jackson Hole, WY. For several days straight he used Liquid IV during his daytime ski sessions and before going out to bars at night. The results were very positive:
“Liquid IV kept me hydrated and feeling good throughout the trip. We put up some serious workouts during the day and it kept me feeling physically ready for more. At night, it helped me avoid hangovers which is always a plus… With 2 servings of Liquid IV each day I was able to hang with the group which, by the way, mostly consisted of guys younger than me. The effects were real and I will continue to recommend this to my friends.”
Other reviewers had positive things to say when it came to hangover relief. One reviewer who was struggling through a morning-after hangover recounted she had no interest in food or plain water, but the sweet and mildly salty taste of Liquid IV was “soothing” and helped her feel good enough to fall back to sleep. After waking up she reported feeling “noticeably less hungover.”
We liked how Liquid IV could be effective on an empty stomach as a pre-workout drink or as a hangover cure. This probably has a lot to do with the glucose content that is absent in other electrolytes we’ve reviewed. If you’re concerned about the sugar, consider reserving this for special occasions: maybe it’s traveling abroad where you run the risk of diarrhea or after a rare late-night of drinking when the thought of food and water is as unappealing as those last few whiskeys. Whatever the situation might be, we highly recommend being prepared by keeping a few sticks in your travel bag or purse.
It’s always a smart idea to pack a few sticks of Liquid IV before heading out on a business trip. It’ll help you stay on your A-game despite the fatigue from travel, full days of meetings and happy hours.
Flavor
Liquid IV comes in six core flavors: lemon lime, passionfruit, watermelon, strawberry, acai berry and guava, and throughout the year offers seasonal flavors such as piña colada and golden cherry. So with all these available flavors you’re probably wondering which one to try first.
Which is the best Liquid IV flavor?
After many test trials of the core flavors, our team agreed on the following rankings:
- Lemon Lime
- Passionfruit
- Strawberry
- Guava
- Watermelon
- Acai Berry
Lemon Lime (the original flavor) is the favorite by a wide margin. We find it has the perfect amount of sweetness and balances it well with a bit of tang and salt. This flavor is supremely satisfyingly after a hard workout and we urge you to give it a try after a sweat. Strawberry and Passionfruit were closely debated as #2 and #3 with reviewers appreciating the subtlety of the edgy flavors. Guava and Watermelon are nothing special and we recommend you avoid Acai Berry. Regardless of your flavor choice, be sure to throw a few ice cubes in your cup and drink it cold!
Passionfruit (pictured here) and Strawberry are the recommended flavors for non-workout activities. You’ll enjoy a boost of hydration with a flavor that doesn’t remind you of a sports drink.
One final (and important) note about the flavor: the sugar in Liquid IV gives it a natural sweetness that isn’t present in sugar-free electrolyte products. The sweetness isn’t overpowering though and is still more subtle than a conventional sugar-filled sports drink. With 500mg of salt (22% of the recommended daily value), there’s also a clear element of saltiness. Don’t worry though; the salty flavor is more soothing than anything.
Ingredients
Liquid IV doesn’t contain any artificial ingredients giving it a perfect Ingredients score in our rubric. It does contain sugar which will discourage some consumers, but even on their packaging the company states “This leading science depends on Non-GMO sugar + mined salt for function, not taste.” We were also appreciative of the ingredient transparency on the website where each ingredient’s purpose is explained and a note is included about the source. Beyond the basic electrolytes and glucose, Liquid IV also contains Vitamin C and a complex of B vitamins for immune support and healthy cellular function.
References
1Bhattacharya, S K. “History of development of oral rehydration therapy.” Indian journal of public health vol. 38,2 (1994): 39-43
2“Science of Liquid I.V. – Cellular Transport Technology.” Liquid I.V.TM’s Healthy Hydration – Fueling Life’s Adventures – Liquid I.V., www.liquid-iv.com/pages/science. Accessed 6 Mar. 2021
Interested in Buying?
Go Deeper
Related Reviews
Acli-Mate Mountain Sport Drink Review
A specialized electrolyte mix that is a great companion for any high elevation exertion.
UCAN Electrolyte Review
Electrolytes formulated for athletic training by a team of scientists and professional athletes.
Nectar Electrolyte Review
An all-natural electrolyte best suited for low activity days.
Stay Updated (and Hydrated)