I've been adding the stuff to my water for the past 12-18 months & really enjoy it. I drink tons more water as a result.

Are the vitamins added just snake oil? Should I just go back & get gatorade powder or something comparable?

I'm not a tighta$$ but I am frugal & paying $1.50 for a shot glass of powder has me wondering if there is something comparable price. I'm going through $75 bucks worth of the stuff probably a month.

I used it for a while this summer when outside working and found that it did not work any better than regular drink mixes with a pinch of kosher sea salt added.

If you look at the contents, they are the same as a packet of Propel powder, except there is twice as much in Liquid IV. I get the store brand Liquid IV from Walgreens and only use half a packet. Less sugar and helps recovery. Still, I only use them after sweating (or drinking) a ton. For what it is worth...

You could buy the MIO type flavored squirt bottles and combine with a little table salt and potassium salt replacement (Nu Salt). Doesn't taste bad at all (at least to me). I do that when I think I'm pretty electrolyte depleted from diet or exercise.

Most vitamin supplements are excessive, especially the water soluble vitamins, since you just pee those out. And the fat soluble you typically build up stores over time by just eating healthy. May be some benefits to short term overdosing on certain vitamins, but for the most part you're just having a well nourished toilet.

They help with hangovers

I used to drink Liquid IV but tried LMNT and never looked back. Liquid IV does have vitamins but it also has 11g sugar. LMNT does not have vitamins but has twice the sodium plus magnesium. I am most concerned with hydration, I don't want the sugar, and I don't need the vitamins so LMNT fits the bill nicely. Plus, I really like the taste. Buy the big box and they're $1.125ea.

My wife has been trying NuuN you can find them at Academy. Liquid IV has a higher sugar content per her research.

Unless your exercising or working hard outside, you don't need the levels of sodium found in those products.

Recently switched to LMNT. I thinks it's the best out there for actually replacing what is lost in sweat.

The American diet is so high in sodium, extra sodium is not needed. If you feel like you need it, put two of the small packets of salt you get with you meals and add a little Mio.

TexDill15 said:

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My wife has been trying NuuN you can find them at Academy. Liquid IV has a higher sugar content per her research.

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I use Nuun as well, it's cheaper and has less sugar.

Yes, just adding a pinch of salt will work just as well. But these taste better and are honestly just good to get people to drink more water.

I typically work out/exercise an hour a day, most of that outside. I drink a nuun immunity in the morning and typically one nuun sport later in the day. I used quite a bit more when I was Ironman training, but agree with the above posers that most people don't need it. One or so won't hurt, but more than that is just throwing money away.

I drink LMNT during the week, but drink Liquid IV during my weekend long runs because of the sugar.

Hoosegow said:

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The American diet is so high in sodium, extra sodium is not needed. If you feel like you need it, put two of the small packets of salt you get with you meals and add a little Mio.

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That's kinda the point.

If you sweat excessively (work out, cycle, work outdoors, etc.) you need to replenish what you lose, and Liquid IV helps expedite that.

Now, if all you do is snarf down junk food all day, this won't really do anything for you.

FYI, Costco has the sugar free liquid IV on sale.

Jocko has his own brand out now that is supposed to have more "stuff" than Liquid IV but I haven't seen the add lately and I'm not sure what all is in there.

We've been drinking Hydrant for several years at our house, my wife loves it and helps her drink water. I also have been using Seeking Health electrolyte mixes as well which are higher quality than the usually brands being talked about.

Most sports drinks don't have all of the electrolytes for hydration with one of the main ones being magnesium. Jocko's stuff looks to have it, other brands like Nuun, First Endurance, Skratch, all have the full profile and I would recommend over stuff like Liquid IV and Gatorade.

Most people don't realize but there is an OTC hydration mix that almost has the perfect electrolyte profile and cost pennies compared to all the mass marketed stuff...Emergen-C. On top of that it is easy to transport, easy to use (I have poured a packet in my mouth and then drank water when I didn't have a water bottle I didn't want to get the flavor in), and can be found almost anywhere.

I did some research on Jocko's drink mix. The main ingredient appears to be Discipline.....

I struggle with drinking water. I just don't get enough, and will choose coffee, tea, or just about anything else over water (or just not drink anything at all). This causes all sorts of uncomfortable side effects in the summer, especially when it's excessively hot like it has been this summer.

I've been using the LMNT packets and it's really helped me because I like the taste and the mouth sensation from the salt. I can drink 40 oz of water with no hesitation.

The watermelon salt is the best flavor, IMO, but the citrus and orange are good, too. The mango chili makes a fantastic vodka soda with flavored sparkling water and a twist of fresh lime.

For those that drink LNMT or want to try it, don't sleep on the chocolate salt in hot water. It's obviously best in cold weather but I'll also drink it as a coffee or tea replacement.

texasaggie2015 said:

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They help with hangovers

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BlueSmoke said:

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texasaggie2015 said:

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They help with hangovers

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Can verify.

K Bo said:

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I used to drink Liquid IV but tried LMNT and never looked back. Liquid IV does have vitamins but it also has 11g sugar. LMNT does not have vitamins but has twice the sodium plus magnesium. I am most concerned with hydration, I don't want the sugar, and I don't need the vitamins so LMNT fits the bill nicely. Plus, I really like the taste. Buy the big box and they're $1.125ea.

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I am on the LMNT train too! on my second order of four boxes. love them.

My wife has been drinking LMNT for a year or two now but I never tried it until I read this thread. They're so good!

I bought NUUN just to try it and they're terrible tasting compared to LMNT.

bam02 said:

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My wife has been drinking LMNT for a year or two now but I never tried it until I read this thread. They're so good!

I bought NUUN just to try it and they're terrible tasting compared to LMNT.

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That's interesting. I've been using NUUN for a while and really like the flavor.

I need to find some LMNT to try and see how I like it. I always read that it can be "salty" which i'm not sure what that means.

it means its got a lot of salt in it and tastes salty as hell lol

its only online FYI

Yeah the LMNT is very salty. It's kind of odd that it tastes so good, but I love it.

I think the NUUN tastes like flavored Alkaseltzer

I mean if you like it because it's salty just add salt to water. Same benefits and a fraction of the cost.

for people looking to try things, you can go to thefeed.com and purchase singles of most things.

Straight salt water would be disgusting, but you're probably right that I could concoct something with salt and some sugar-free koolaid or something like that.

htxag09 said:

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I mean if you like it because it's salty just add salt to water. Same benefits and a fraction of the cost.

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A little bit of sugar helps your body rehydrate. Plus the sweetness tricks the mind and can increase your energy for a short period of time.

aggiespartan said:

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for people looking to try things, you can go to thefeed.com and purchase singles of most things.

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Downside is thefeed is expensive.

I'm "sponsored" by them so I get $20/quarter and shop the deals. Also get a lot of store credit so it works for me.