If you’re exploring the idea of adding electrolyte drinks to your workout routine, the vast selection available can be overwhelming. Everywhere you look, there’s a new product claiming to be the best. Don’t know which direction to go in? You’re not alone. Many people struggle with the question, “what are the best electrolyte powders for athletes?”
The good news is that we have identified four flavorful, healthy, and hydration-rich electrolyte drinks for athletes that will help balance blood pH levels and fluid pressure in your body no matter what level of athlete you are.
Key Takeaways:
Here are our top four electrolyte powders for athletes
- Dr. Berg’s Electrolyte Powder
- Liquid I.V.
- Nuun Sport Drink Tablets
- LMNT Electrolyte Powder
Keep reading for more information on electrolyte powder ingredients and a comparison of some popular brands.
1. Dr. Berg’s Electrolyte Powder
Athletes are required to consume large amounts of potassium to maintain optimal health, and with 1000mg of potassium, Dr. Berg’s Electrolyte powder doesn’t disappoint.
Potassium is essential in electrolyte drinks, as it (along with sodium) is crucial to the contracting and relaxation of your muscles during endurance training or workout. Many people get plenty of sodium in their foods, but potassium can be a little trickier to get enough of. Having a product that contains a higher quantity of potassium per serving can be a great boost to your athletic performance.
This product also uses stevia as a natural sweetener, which is great for those wanting to avoid any unnecessary artificial sweeteners. Stevia is a great sweetener to use as it contributes 0g of sugar to a product. It also comes with malic acid, which is important when taken with magnesium to help with muscle fatigue.
Another great thing is that Dr. Berg’s Electrolyte Powder contains 0 calories, so you don’t have to worry about adding unnecessary calories to your caloric count.
Dr. Berg’s Electrolyte Powder comes in 8 flavors, with its most popular flavor seeming to be raspberry and lemon. It is also marketed as a way to supplement your child’s potassium when they refuse to eat their veggies.
While the information available on the product is unclear on whether the flavors or artificial or natural, Dr.Berg’s Electrolyte Powder is a great product for athletes of all levels. Whether you are an upcoming athlete, a professional, or someone who just likes to play ball on the weekends, Dr. Berg’s Electrolyte Powder is definitely a recommendation worth exploring.
2. Liquid IV
Boosting cellular transport technology for rapid absorption Liquid IV is non-GMO and made with premium ingredients. It is also gluten, soy, and dairy free.
This electrolyte drink mix packs 10 flavors and comes in a few different forms, including a powdered electrolyte supplement called a “hydration multiplier.”
What about essential minerals like sodium and potassium, without which you could potentially have muscle cramps during your training or exercises? Well, Liquid IV contains 500mg of sodium and 369.9mg of potassium, which is not ideal but still adequate.
It does have five essential B vitamins, including vitamins B6, B12, B3, and B5. It claims to use natural flavors, which is always a plus, as well as contains only 45 calories per serving.
Unfortunately, Liquid IV does not contain magnesium or calcium, which is something most athletes typically prefer to see in their electrolyte powders.
It also uses dextrose as a sweetener, containing 11g of sugar in total per serving, which is a regular refined sugar packed with calories that can affect insulin levels.
While this is something that may turn a few away from it, Liquid IV is a great electrolyte powder choice for upcoming or professional athletes. It is packed full of healthy minerals that need to be replenished as you sweat.
3. Nuun Sport Drink Tablets
Nuun Sport Drink Tablet is one of the most convenient electrolyte drink options for serious athletes. They come in portable, compact tubes that fit easily into any pocket, gym bag, or backpack. The tablets can be easily dissolved into water, giving your water a slightly fruity taste but without the sugar rush.
Besides a decent amount of sodium and potassium, these tablets also contain 20mg of magnesium and 15mg of calcium, enough to replace essential minerals lost in sweat.
Nuun Tablets come in 14 flavors to please any palette, including Strawberry Lemonade, Citrus Fruit, Grape, and Tropical. Nuun Sport Drink Tablets have caffeinated as well as non-caffeinated options for when you need an extra boost on the go.
They’re vegan, gluten-free, kosher, and non-GMO, fitting easily into a variety of lifestyles. They also use avocado oil which is well-known to keep your heart healthy and is a natural electrolyte source.
Containing just 1g of sugar and 60 calories per tablet, Nuun tablets are a healthy, electrolyte-rich option for those with an active lifestyle, athletes, and those seeking to recover after basic workouts.
4. LMNT Electrolyte Powder
LMNT Electrolyte Powder is a superior product for those who want the best in electrolyte refueling. It comes in convenient individual packets of 30 per package and in a variety of unique flavors, including Chocolate Medley, Citrus Salt, Lemon Habanero, and Unflavored Raw.
LMNT Electrolyte Powder is specially formulated to help the body recover after a game and is ideal for those pursuing a keto, low-carb, or paleo diet and lifestyle.
Containing 1,000 mg of sodium and no sugar per serving, LMNT will help re-calibrate your body after intense exercise while keeping your system free of refined sugars and carbs.
It uses stevia as a natural sweetener and no sugar. The total calorie count per serving is 0.
Unfortunately, LMNT Electrolyte Powder does not contain calcium, but that may not be necessary for your individual needs.
Lauded by neuroscientists, dieticians, athletes, and authors, LMNT Electrolyte Powder is a step ahead of the competition in composition, efficiency, taste, and quality.
Overall, LMNT Electrolyte Powder is a great product to choose from for any athlete. It is a great mix of high minerals and zero amounts of both sugar and calories. You can choose LMNT Electrolyte Powder and drink it with confidence, knowing you’ve made a great choice, no matter what level of athlete you are!
Comparing the Most Popular Electrolyte Powder Products
Quality electrolyte powders for athletes should include essential minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. They should contain low levels of artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and food dyes. Look for natural sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit extract, which provide a healthier alternative to processed sugar.
Now that we’ve looked at the most popular brands out there, let’s compare them in terms of the essential minerals they contain.
| (Per serving) | Liquid IV | Nuun | Dr. Berg | LMNT |
| Calcium | 0mg | 15mg | 75mg | 0mg |
| Magnesium | 0g | 20mg | 120mg | 60mg |
| Potassium | 369.9mg | 200mg | 1000mg (1g) | 200mg |
| Sodium | 500mg | 380mg | 40mg | 1000mg (1g) |
| Sugar | 11g | 15g | 0g | 0g |
| Calories | 45cal | 60cal | 0cal | 0cal |
Important factors to remember when choosing an electrolyte powder :
- Calcium and potassium are essential for the flexing and relaxation of your muscles
- Unnecessary additives or preservatives can sometimes be a red flag
- It may be a good idea to go with allergen-free products to avoid possible irritation
- Vitamins and minerals are essential to a healthy body
- More does not always equal better
When considering purchasing an electrolyte powder and before taking one home, be sure to examine the ingredients listing for the following items:
| Electrolyte Powder Should Contain: | Electrolyte Powders Should Not Contain: |
| Important minerals, such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sodiumNatural sweeteners | Unnecessary food dyesA high level of artificial sweetenersExcessive preservatives |
Why Essential Minerals are Important in Electrolyte Powders
Rehydrating with essential minerals is a key step in maintaining healthy bodily functions. When the body becomes dehydrated, it loses these minerals through sweat and urine. Replenishing these lost minerals helps to regulate body temperature, balance electrolyte levels, and support many other metabolic processes.
- Sodium
- Sodium helps maintain proper fluid balance by delivering water to cells.
- Potassium
- Assists in muscle contraction and nerve signal transmission.
- Calcium
- Similar to potassium, calcium supports healthy muscle function.
- Magnesium
- Positively impacts energy production and metabolism
Rehydrating with an electrolyte powder rich in essential minerals can help replenish the body’s supply of these nutrients for optimal physical performance and overall well-being.
Should You Use an Electrolyte Drink Instead of Plain Water?
Simply put, electrolytes can hydrate you faster than water alone. When consumed in high concentrations, they help to speed up the body’s absorption of fluids. This is why electrolyte-infused drinks are popular with athletes who need to quickly rehydrate after strenuous activities.
If you are simply feeling thirsty, it is best to drink plain water, as this will help keep your body properly hydrated during low-to-moderate activity days. However, if you have been exercising for an extended period of time or have been sweating heavily, then it may be beneficial for you to drink a beverage containing electrolytes. This will help replenish lost minerals and salts more quickly than plain water can do on its own.
Are Electrolyte Drinks Only Suitable for Athletes?
Rehydrating with essential minerals is not just recommended for athletes or anyone engaging in physical activity. No matter who you are, we all need minerals to keep our bodies healthy and functioning properly. There are several other reasons why you may need to drink an electrolyte drink:
Hotter Climates
Sweating from extreme heat will quickly cause you to lose minerals and get dehydrated. Electrolyte drinks can be beneficial to help restore a healthy hydration level.
Ill Health
People who are unwell may find they need to replenish their electrolytes more frequently as their body works hard to fight off their illness. Of course, this should be in consultation with a doctor or health care professional, as some medications may interact with the ingredients in electrolyte powders.
General Lightheadedness
Sometimes feeling lightheaded or dizzy can be the result of exhaustion. You should always speak to a doctor about any lightheadedness you might have, but if it is found to be caused by exhaustion, then it could be a good idea to try drinking a sports drink. Exhaustion is your body’s signal that it is running out of energy, water, and/or the minerals needed to continue doing whatever you may have been doing. Drinking an electrolyte drink may give your body the boost it needs to finish whatever you may have been doing.
Is it Okay to Drink Electrolyte Drinks Every Day?
You may be wondering if drinking a drink packed with vitamins and minerals is healthy to drink every day. The answer is yes! However, like with all things in life, the amount you should consume each day depends on your own individual needs, as well as the intensity and duration of your training sessions.
As a general rule, consuming 1 to 2 glasses of an electrolyte drink daily is considered safe, with most experts recommending a maximum intake of up to four glasses per day. There are two major reasons why there is a limit as to how much of these drinks you should drink.
The first reason, and most important reasoning, is health concerns. Some electrolyte drinks may have sugar in them or other additives or preservatives that may not be good for your body in high doses.
The second reason is that your body can only hold so many minerals and vitamins in it. You’ll notice when taking supplements that you don’t become superman when taking extra. This is because once your body has enough, you will simply pee the rest of it out. Drinking more than the recommended amount will not give you extra energy on top of what it already has; it will simply leave your body through your urine.
Like with all things in life, balance is key to a healthy body.
Which Electrolyte Powder Do We Recommend?
It is important to remember that what may work for someone may not work for everyone. We are all different, and therefore, all have different needs and preferences.
Dr. Berg’s Electrolyte Powder contains approximately 25% of your daily recommended potassium intake (1,000mg or 1g). It also contains the least amount of sodium, which may be ideal for people who are on a salt-restricted diet, like those with heart disease and similar chronic illnesses.
Another reason is it contains 0g of sugar, which may be ideal for those who wish to limit their sugar intake.
Remember to always speak with a healthcare professional when making your decision.
Conclusion
Adding an electrolyte powder to your training regimen can bring many benefits no matter what level you are at.
Replacing bodily fluids is essential for staying healthy during intense workouts or competitions and will help ensure you are performing at your best when it counts. So what is the best electrolyte powder for athletes?
It depends on your individual needs and health. There are a lot of great choices out there! As you make your decision, remember to look for potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sodium in the ingredient list and watch out for artificial sweeteners and other additives.
