Liquid I.V.
The biggest name in powdered hydration in the US. The original formula pairs a moderate 500 mg sodium dose with 11 g of sugar, which helps sodium absorption but adds up fast if you drink it daily. The Sugar-Free version keeps a similar dose (~510 mg sodium, ~380 mg potassium).
| Field | Liquid I.V. |
|---|---|
| Format | Stick packs |
| Sugar | 11 g (original) |
| Sweetener | Cane sugar / dextrose (original); allulose + stevia (Sugar-Free) |
| Best for | Everyday hydration and the easiest brand to find in stores; Sugar-Free swaps the 11 g sugar for allulose + stevia. |
| Not for | Anyone counting magnesium — the hero formulas list 0 mg — or anyone who finds it too sweet. |
Label figures, checked Oct 2026 — see How we compare for what that means. Doses are for the hero formulation named in our study; many brands sell several formulas — check the pack in your hand.
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Similar jobs, other brands
LMNT
1,000 mg Na · 200 mg K · 60 mg (malate) Mg
High-sodium, zero-sugar hydration for heavy sweaters, heat work and low-carb eating; the Raw Unflavoured version is a true no-sweetener option.
Gatorade / Gatorlyte / Propel
~160 mg (classic RTD, per bottle serving) Na · 45 mg K · Not a feature Mg
Cheap, everywhere sports hydration; Gatorlyte and the powder lines run materially higher in electrolytes than classic ready-to-drink.
DripDrop
330 mg (small stick) — larger sticks 670–780 mg Na · 185 mg K · 39 mg Mg
Oral-rehydration-style formulas used by firefighters, medical teams and outdoor crews; sugar and sugar-free lines.