Hydration is incredibly important whether you are an athlete, a stay-at-home mom, or under the weather. Many electrolyte drinks on the market, like Liquid IV and LMNT, are marketed toward keeping you hydrated, but determining the differences between these products can be difficult. So what are the differences between Liquid IV and LMNT? Which is the healthier option?
Key Takeaways:
Liquid IV and LMNT products claim to hydrate you and restore electrolytes. The main difference is that Liquid IV contains sugar (11 grams), no magnesium, and vitamins such as vitamins B6, B12, and C, and LMNT contains twice as much sodium (1 gram) as well as magnesium (60mg), 0g of sugar, and no vitamins.
Everyone is different. What works for one person might not work for another. Keep reading to learn more about these two products’ ingredients and key differences.
Liquid IV vs. LMNT
When talking about hydration drinks, we tend to be more familiar with drinks like Gatorade, Biosteel, Powerade, and the new kid on the block Prime Hydration. Liquid IV and LMNT are electrolyte drinks that claim to hydrate you while working out. The main difference between them can be found in their ingredients.
Related Read: LMNT vs. BioSteel: Analysis of Benefits & More
Seeing as they both have a watermelon flavor, we will be comparing those in the following table.
| Liquid IV (Watermelon Flavor) | LMNT (Watermelon Flavor) | |
| Serving Size | 1 stick (16g) | 1 stick (6g) |
| Calories* | 45 | 10 |
| Carbohydrates* | 12g | 1g |
| Sugar* | 11g | 0g |
| Sodium* | 510mg | 1000mg (1g) |
| Potassium* | 380mg | 200mg |
| Magnesium* | 0mg | 60mg |
| Vitamin B6* | 2.4mg | 0mg |
| Vitamin B12* | 7mcg | 0mcg |
| Vitamin C* | 76mg | 0mg |
| Niacin* (Nicotinic Acid) | 23.5mg | 0mg |
| Pantothenic Acid* | 11.7mg | 0mg |
*per serving size of each product
Liquid IV Ingredients:
Based on the Watermelon flavor, Liquid IV’s ingredients are:
Pure Cane Sugar, Citric Acid, Dextrose, Sodium Citrate, Salt, Potassium Citrate, Silicon Dioxide, Rebaudioside-a (Stevia Leaf Extract), Dipotassium Phosphate, Vitamin C , Natural Flavors, Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride), Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide), Vitamin B5 (D-Calcium Pantothenate), Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin).
LMNT Ingredients:
Based on the Watermelon flavor, LMNT’s ingredients are:
Malate Acid, Salt (Sodium Chloride), Magnesium Malate, Natural Flavors, Stevia Leaf Extract
Liquid IV: Pros and Cons
When choosing a product that is best for you, weighing its pros and cons can be a good idea. This allows you to compare the benefits of a product with things you potentially wish to avoid. Like with any product on the market, Liquid IV has both pros and cons.
The Pros of Liquid IV
- Can limit feelings of fatigue
- Can keep you energized
- Allergen-free
- Vegan-friendly
- Gluten-free
- Hydrating
- No artificial sweeteners
- Contains vitamins, such as B6, B12, and C
- Contains minerals, such as sodium and potassium
- Contains Niacin, which is a form of Vitamin B3
- Contains Pantothenic Acid, also known as Vitamin B5
The Cons of Liquid IV
- It can be expensive
- It contains a high salt (sodium) content
- It contains a high sugar content
LMNT: Pros and Cons
When thinking of buying a product for the first time, weighing the pros and cons can give you more of an idea if this product is right for you. You can weigh the benefits against things you perhaps wish to avoid. Like with any product, LMNT has both pros and cons.
The Pros of LMNT
- It can limit the feelings of fatigue
- It can keep you energized
- It is vegan-friendly
- It is gluten-free
- It is hydrating
- It contains 0 grams of sugar
- It contains minerals such as Potassium and Magnesium
The Cons of LMNT
- It can be expensive
- Contains a very high salt (sodium) content
- Does not contain vitamins, such as B6, B12, or C
- Some flavors contain additives
Who Should Consider Liquid IV
Electrolyte drinks are a great way to replenish vitamins and minerals lost through the process of sweating.
For people who wish to replenish not only minerals but vitamins as well, Liquid IV may be worth considering. It contains vitamins B3 (in the form of Nicotinic Acid, also known as Niacin), B5 (also known as Pantothenic Acid), B6, B12, and C.
Related Read: Liquid IV vs. Gatorade: Detailed Analysis with Charts
It might also be worth considering for someone who has food allergies, is vegan, or is gluten intolerant, as Liquid IV is entirely gluten-free, allergen-free, and vegan-friendly.
This product might not be optimal for people on a salt-restricted diet, as it contains a high amount of salt (510mg).
For people who wish to avoid additional additives, this product may be more favorable for you and worth considering, as it contains no artificial sweeteners and no preservatives.
Who Should Consider LMNT
For people who are vegan or have a gluten intolerance, LMNT may be worth considering. Some Athelete are inclined to grab a bottle of Gatorade but It may be worth considering LMNT if you are looking for an electrolyte drink with 0 grams of sugar. Keep in mind that while LMNT has 0 grams of sugar, it does use stevia extract as a sweetener.
For people who are on a salt-restricted diet, this product is not likely to be worth considering, as it contains a very high salt content for a drink (1000mg). This product also does not contain vitamins, such as B6, B12, or C, and may not be optimal for people who wish to replenish their vitamins as well as minerals.
For people who are concerned about additional additives, LMNT has a non-flavored version called “Raw Unflavored.” This may be worth considering for people who wish to avoid any unnecessary additives marked “natural flavors.”
Final Thoughts
When choosing an electrolyte drink for the first time, it can become confusing. There are so many products out there that determining which product might best suit you can be very difficult. The best way to determine if a product is right for you is to compare it not only with other products but to your needs and requirements as well. We are all unique, and that means what works for one person might not work for another.
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