The 10 Best Electrolyte Drink Supplements Reviewed
There is such a huge array of brightly colored drinks promising to rehydrate and revitalize your health. Do you really need electrolyte drinks? The short answer is YES. The three biggest ones are potassium, sodium, and magnesium. Having these in your body plays a huge part in keeping your blood pressure in check, controlling muscle spasms, and helping your system function properly. Not having enough can make you feel lousy. We want you to get your electrolytes so you stay healthy and optimize your workout performance so we have put together our choices for the ten best products to get the job done.
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Has extra Vitamin C
Comes in over 20 different flavors
Recipes available on the website
10 Best Electrolyte Drink Supplements
1. Emergen-C Dietary Supplement
Has extra Vitamin C
Comes in over 20 different flavors
Recipes available on the website
Has synthetic folic acid
The Emergen-C supplement comes in a variety of fizzy flavors. This is a powder that dissolves easily in water to give you a refreshing drink which contains a great amount of Vitamin C with flavors from natural sources and no sweeteners that are artificial. This drink supports your immunities with extra Vitamin C, antioxidants, and B Vitamins. It also contains plenty of electrolytes. It is fizzy and caffeine-free, great for rehydrating after an intense workout or even after a bout with the flu.
Read moreEmergen-C is a very popular way to support your immune system with extra workout vitamins like Vitamin C and can be an important addition to your wellness routine every day. It contains more Vitamin C than 10 oranges. You will also get a healthy amount of B Vitamins along with plenty of other antioxidants. There are also electrolytes to help you replace those you lose during an intense workout. It is made of natural fruit flavors with no sweeteners which are artificial or caffeine.
It is also easy to use by just adding the powder to around 5 ounces of water. It comes in over 20 different flavors for a healthy boost. Make them in hot drinks or cold drinks, slushies, smoothies, or frozen pops. There are recipes available on the website. There are also many different fortified formulas. Emergen-C supplements make it a pleasure to enhance your good health.
2. LyteShow: Ionic Electrolyte Concentrate
No calories or artificial ingredients
Emphasizes magnesium
Easy to use liquid
Contains zinc which may cause sensitivities
LyteShow is specifically designed to rebuild your electrolytes. The electrolyte drinks are made for people who are focused on their health and do not want a bunch of additives that are not needed in the product. To make yourself a healthy isotonic drink add about 3 mL of LyteShow to 32 ounces of water. It will replenish your fluids and electrolytes you lose while exercising and sweating. It is gluten-free, non-GMO, and vegan. It includes lots of balanced ions and no extra ingredients.
Read moreLyteShow has a new logo but it is still the same quality product. It is a liquid concentrate that will replenish your electrolytes without any sweeteners, additives, or calories. It has an American mineral base and has gone through clinical tests showing it is more efficient at hydrating your body than drinking water alone. The 4-ounce bottle has 40 servings of concentrate. There are no carbohydrates, preservatives, artificial colors, or flavors. It is non-GMO, vegetarian, vegan, and is gluten-free. Mind you, this product is not designed for its taste. You will get a tart, slightly salty flavor. If it is not to your liking, you might try squeezing in a little lemon or juice.
LyteShow is a step up from typical sports drinks. The sports drinks have sweeteners, calories, and artificial additives. They usually include sodium and potassium for electrolytes. LyteShow uses less sodium since that is easy to get in your diet. They focus more on magnesium. This formula for giving your body back what it loses as well as preventing cramps in your muscles. It is perfect to help in any type of dehydration.
3. Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier
Works in 16 ounces of water
Hydrates your body faster than water
Tastes good
They replaced the low glycemic beet sugar with pure cane sugar
The electrolyte drink mix from Liquid I.V. uses CTT to get hydration into your bloodstream more quickly than just drinking water. CTT is Cellular Transport Technology and is a scientific breakthrough. This drink is non-GMO and tastes great. One serving of this will hydrate you as much as two or three bottles of water. Liquid I.V. has three times as many electrolytes as traditional sports drinks. They also contain five vitamins which are essential, but no GMO or artificial ingredients. You have a choice of three different flavors. They also come in convenient, travel-friendly packets.
Read moreLiquid I.V. is an electrolyte mix you put into 16 ounces of water to get rehydrated quickly. It has been reported that 75 percent of Americans are dehydrated chronically. They use CTT which is a special ratio of sodium, potassium, and glucose to get water and other key nutrients right into your bloodstream, which hydrates you even faster than drinking water. One of these packets will give you as much hydration as if you drank up to three bottles of water.
If you become dehydrated you are going to risk dizziness, headache, confusion, muscle cramping or fatigue, fuzzy thinking, or even fainting. This drink had more electrolytes than most sports drinks you see with not even half of the calories or sugar. It has eleven essential vitamins and minerals. You will get more Vitamin C than eating orange and more potassium than eating a banana, as well as over 100 percent of your daily requirements in Vitamin B3, B5, B6, and B12. Your exercise performance is going to lack if you are even slightly dehydrated. Lean muscle is made up of mostly water so it needs good hydration to work right.
4. Hi-Lyte Electrolyte Supplement
Does not contain sugar or calories
Designed to help with the Keto Diet
Made of ionic sea minerals
Has a salty mineral taste
Hi-Lyte has this supplement which is all-natural with trace minerals. It has just the right balance of electrolytes which work fast to help the performance athlete. It does not contain any sugar, calories, or banned substances. You can replace electrolytes you lose sweating during an intense workout with most potassium than you get eating a banana. When you use Hi-Lyte it goes right into your bloodstream and builds electrolytes without add ingredients you do not need.
Read moreHi-Lyte has this concentrate which has the highest potassium, magnesium, and zinc available. This can recover the electrolytes you lose from sweating during exercise or any dehydrating circumstances. It is also specially formulated for people on the Keto Diet. It will help with Keto Flu and leg cramps as well as fatigue or nausea. You will have better endurance, muscle recovery, and energy. It also helps keep your immune system healthy.
This supplement has all-natural ingredients with ionic sea minerals, meaning they absorb easily into water. They are smaller than the pathways in cells. There is no maltodextrin included. Hi-Lyte takes care of the hydration needs of athletes like cyclists, swimmers, triathletes, and other athletes. It is not designed to take well and has a salty and mineral taste. If you are sensitive to it, you can add a bit of lemon or juice.
5. Nuun Sport Electrolyte
Comes in a convenient, portable tube
Sweetened with stevia
Is Keto friendly
Tablets take too long to dissolve
Nuun Sport is a drink designed by athletes so they know what is needed. This is the flagship drink which is packed with electrolytes and clean ingredients that help you get back what is lost in sweat during your workout. You will finish strong and replenished. All you do is fill your water bottle with around 16 ounces of water, drop in whatever flavor of a tablet that is your favorite, wait about 3 minutes for it to dissolve, and you are ready to go.
Read moreThe Nuun “electrolytes” is a new and improved product now called Nuun “Sport”. It now tastes even better and is made with cleaner ingredients. It is non-GMO and inspires a healthy, active lifestyle. These tablets come in a tube that has 10 tablets in each one. They have low calorie, natural fruit flavor. You just mix them with water inside your fruit infuser and you have a healthy drink which will help you power through your workout.
Nuun will help you make your workout even better or help you get through your workday feeling better through hydration. You can keep the tube in the car, your purse, gym bag, hiking pack, or wherever it is the most convenient. Do not worry about article flavors. The sweetening is done with stevia only and the mixture is keto-friendly.
It is common to lose electrolytes when you are sweating during an intense workout. This is an excellent drink to give back what you lost. The tablets are packed with the needed electrolytes as well as a fresh flavor. It is portable enough to take with you so you can drink it before, during, or after the workout. It is also easy to get dehydrated when you are traveling. Nuun will help you be refreshed when you reach your destination. Being dehydrated can make you feel sluggish but hydrating yourself can get you back to having an energized day.
6. Genius Electrolyte Powder
Contains no artificial colors or flavors
Supplement for potassium, magnesium, zinc, sodium
Tested for purity and potency
Does not taste real good
Genius powder redefines hydration powder. This powder is better than the leading sports drinks. It contains no artificial colors, flavors, or sugars. It is a healthy alternative that will give you excellent hydration. It gives you a supplement for your potassium, magnesium, zinc, and sodium. All of these ingredients are vital parts of staying hydrated and taking care of your health and well being. Being even 2 percent dehydrated can affect your concentration, alertness, focus, and energy.
Read moreGenius Brand is a smart choice. Most sports drinks are loaded with sugar, but this one has no sugar, artificial sweeteners, flavoring, dyes or fillers. It does have potassium, chelated magnesium, zinc, citric acid, and other minerals. They focus on just ingredients that are good for your body and will get you hydrated quickly. It will be effective against dehydration from any source or muscle cramps. This supplement has potassium bicarbonate instead of potassium citrate so they are the best at replenishing your body. Use it before, after, or during your workout.
When you have this supplement backing you, you can push the limits. Just add it to water and you are ready to go. These electrolytes are keto-friendly, 100 percent pure and contain trace minerals. Genius does not skimp on quality. This product is GMP and FDA compliant and is tested for purity and potency. This is a healthy way to keep you some good quality health.
7. Vitalyte Electrolyte Powder
80 servings per container
No artificial flavors or colors
Comes in a stand-up pouch
Is very granular
Vitalyte is fast, effective, and it tastes better than most of the drinks on the market. It is made with gluten-free, non-GMO, and natural ingredients. You do not have to worry about artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners. There is low carbs, low sugar, and no empty calories. This is an isotonic formula with a balance of glucose, electrolytes, and buffers which are absorbed into your system effectively and fast. It is a great rehydrator for athletes or for everyday use.
Read moreYou can benefit from Vitalyte whether you are a professional athlete, weekend warrior, or a full-time mom. After you put in all that activity, you are in need of electrolyte replacement. This product is free of artificial flavors, colors, and sweeteners. It has the stuff it does need. You will enjoy the balance of essential glucose and electrolytes. It is a true isotonic sports beverage. This supplement can help during hot temperatures, intense exercise, alcohol or caffeine, competition, outdoor work, or even health issues.
This formula has passed the test of time in a crazy market place. They have been providing quality for over 40 years. It has a glucose-based formula that is absorbed quickly. It has perfect potassium to sodium ratio and great taste. There are five different flavors to choose from and will even work for kids without any stomach upset.
The Vitalyte drink is tasty and has 80 servings per container. It will give you a natural electrolyte replacement to give you hydration and energy. It is natural with non-GMO ingredients. They take pride in keeping the amount of sugar and carbs low as well.
It has a natural citrus flavor which is in a stand-up pouch and is formulated to give you an edge with good endurance so you can do your best in workouts or competition. It is good for any sport whether you are competing or just challenging yourself. They are made just for athletes who need the energy to perform to the very best potential. The fast absorption makes them very effective.
8. Dr. Berg's Original Powder
1000 mg of potassium
Contains no sugar or GMOs
Gluten-free
Does not have a very good taste
Dr. Berg brings you a complex which has potassium, magnesium, calcium, chloride, sodium, and trace minerals. This combination is designed to enhance your energy and endurance so you are prepared for your next workout. It will help with nerve and muscle function as well as getting rid of muscle cramps. They have not added any sugar, GMO’s, artificial ingredients or gluten.
Read moreDr. Eric Berg is a chiropractor specializing in losing weight with nutritional and natural methods. He designed this supplement with complete mineral and trace minerals. It is 100 percent soluble and does not contain any additives. There is no sugar, no GMO’s, artificial ingredients or gluten. Electrolytes give you needed cell energy for good muscle and nerve functioning. There is 1,000 mg of potassium in every serving. Your body needs about 4,700 mg of potassium citrate every day but most people do not get near that in their diet.
This is a healthy complex with no sugar or maltodextrin. It is electrolytes in a tasty flavor with a taste of stevia. Maltodextrin is made from rice, corn, wheat, or potato starch but its glycemic index is greater than regular sugar. Because of this, it can raise your level of blood sugar quickly. Just one scoop contains 1000 mg of potassium as well as calcium, magnesium, chloride, sodium, and trace minerals.
9. Keto K1000
Comes in 3 flavors
Supports the Keto Diet
1000 kg of potassium
It tastes a little too sweet for some people
The Keto K1000 gives you energy with their electrolyte powder. This is a supplement for weight loss with minerals and 1,000 mg of potassium. It does not have sugar, maltodextrin, calories, GMO’s, or gluten. It is designed to keep you hydrated by replenishing and rejuvenating the energy in your cells. This supplement will give you all of the key electrolytes you need to be in balance, including the good amount of potassium.
Read moreThe Keto K1000 has the maximum amount of potassium which gives you powerful hydration. It supports the Keto Diet and also will promote endurance and avoid muscle cramping. It features a combination of calcium, chloride, potassium, magnesium, sodium, and trace minerals. All of this will bring you the hydration you need to be ready for your next workout or competition. It will help you power through.
This mix does not have any maltodextrin or sugar. It is just electrolytes, flavor, and a little stevia. It comes in a choice of three different flavors including raspberry-lemon, orange or watermelon, and tastes great, which definitely cannot be said for a lot of the electrolyte supplements. The maltodextrin is made from rice, corn, wheat, or corn starch. It is actually at a higher glycemic index than table sugar so it raises your blood sugar way too fast. That is why they do not use it. With this powder, you can be confident you are getting everything you need.
10. Dr Price's Electrolyte Powder Mix
100 percent natural supplement
Sweetened with stevia leaf extract
Keto and paleo-friendly
Most customer complaints were about the taste
Dr. Price’s Mix has a blend of over 72 trace minerals and electrolytes. Trace minerals help rebalance the body. This is a formula created to benefit everyone from an elite athlete to a mom needing a little hydration. It is a great-tasting way to hydrate properly, conveniently and naturally. It is a 100 percent natural supplement with no added sugar. It is non-GMO, gluten-free, keto, and paleo-friendly. It is like motivation in a glass.
Read moreDr. Price’s is a high-quality electrolyte formula with a blend of 72 trace minerals electrolytes. It works great for athletes or everyday users to keep you hydrated and healthy. This supplement is non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free, keto-friendly, and has no sugar. It is made naturally sweetened with stevia leaf extract. You receive it in easy to use, convenient packets you can take with you anywhere.
This is a powdered formula dissolves in water or any liquid quickly and easily. It will balance and restore your electrolyte levels to keep you healthy and hydrated. It contains minerals like sodium, magnesium, and potassium. There are also trace elements and over 72 trace minerals.
In order for your supplements to be beneficial, they need to be easily absorbed. Dr. Price’s powder does not have magnesium stearate or other unneeded additives so your body does not have to work as hard to digest them and benefit from them. This mix is made from ingredients of the highest quality and is formulated to be water-soluble. The bioavailability is much more superior when they are mixed with water which makes digestion much easier.
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Features
Electrolyte supplements come in a few different types of additives. There are powders and liquid drops as well as tablets that come in a tube. They can all be conveniently added to water or other liquids. They come in different packaging from tubs of powder to individual packets you can take with you, to a small container of the liquid mixture to a tube of tablets you can easily drop into your water bottle.
You want a supplement that will conveniently go with your lifestyle. It should mix well with what you enjoy drinking. You want a mixture that has all-natural ingredients and also the electrolytes needed to keep you hydrated. It is nice if your drink can come in different flavors but it is also important that it taste good or be able to be masked in a drink that tastes good.
Ease of Use
You need an electrolyte which you can use easily. You should be able to add it to your water bottle so you can mix it quickly and drink it before, during, and after your workout. It is handy if it comes in individual packets, tablets, or a small container so you can take it and mix it anywhere.
Most of the packets come with each serving in a packet so you can just tear it open and add it to your bottle of water. The liquid drops are mixed by adding so many drips or milliliters. The tablets are probably the easiest, coming in a little tube. You just take it out and drop it in your water. It is nice if the supplements taste okay when you add them. If not, you can add a little lemon or add it to juice. You could drink it hot or cold, freeze it, or make a smoothie.
Effectiveness
You need a supplement that is going to quickly and conveniently rehydrate your body after an intense workout. If you are even slightly dehydrated it can cause problems with focus, muscle cramping, and so many other issues. You want only natural ingredients which will be easy for your body to digest. It should non-GMO and gluten-free with no artificial colors or flavors.
The best time to use a hydrating formula is when you are exercising so you can replace the electrolytes you lose in sweat. It helps you to recover after your workout and help prevent muscle cramps. You just add it to water to make an isotonic drink that replaces the fluids you lost.
Materials
A good hydration formula has a balanced amount of magnesium, potassium, sodium, and chloride. They also contain zinc and other trace elements. Some of these supplements also have Vitamin C and an assortment of B Vitamins. Some of them also have antioxidants and natural flavors.
An electrolyte conducts electricity when you dissolve it in water. They are essential for a lot of our body’s functions. In fact, we need them to survive. The electrolytes work with each other and cells in your nerves, tissues, and muscles. Making sure these are balanced with each other is important for your body to function well. This means these supplements need to contain things like potassium, sodium, and magnesium. Bicarbonate, calcium, chloride, and phosphate are also good sources.
Product Purity
When the goal is to keep your body healthy, you want to pay good attention to exactly what goes into it. In your electrolyte drinks, you want all-natural ingredients. You want to avoid artificial colors or flavors. You do not want artificial sweeteners or sugar. Some of these products use stevia leaf. There should not be any carbs or caffeine.
You want your supplement to be non-GMO for sure so you can keep your goal of good health. GMO stands for a genetically modified organism which means it has been modified in a lab. This creates plant, bacterial, animal, and virus genes that do not happen in nature. They have been proven to cause a number of health issues including cancer.
It is best to avoid gluten, additives, preservatives, and synthetic folic acid. You may also need to take note of how much zinc is included. It is a good ingredient to have in the supplement but it has been known to cause some nausea.
Expert Interviews & Opinions
Overhydration may not be noticeable in the early stages. You may experience things like nausea, vomiting, a bad headache, or some confusion. If it is not treated, overhydration can cause you to have a dangerously low sodium level in your blood. You could have more severe symptoms like muscle spasms or cramps, seizures, unconsciousness, or even coma.
If you do endurance athletics you can help by weighing yourself before you exercise and again after your workout so you know how much water you need to replenish. Drink an average size glass of liquid for every pound of bodyweight you have lost. A good rule of thumb when you are exercising is to drink 2-4 cups of fluid every hour. Make sure you listen to your body and drink when you are thirsty.
When you need to replace electrolytes the most is when you are exercising for more than three hours, assuming that you start in a balanced state. If you do any type of work where you sweat a lot throughout the day, especially day after day, you will definitely get depleted. This is true for labor workers, some military, athletes who compete in the heat of the day, or others similar. The weather is a big consideration.
Other Factors to Consider
Value
They say you get what you pay for, but there is a little more of a consideration. A good quality electrolyte supplement might cost a little more because it is going to be pure with the best quality ingredients available. Just make sure you are not just paying for someone’s name to be on the label. If you are getting what you pay for, make sure you are paying for quality ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions
q: Why do we need electrolyte drinks?
Our body has a combination of water and electrolyte solutions. The electrolytes help your body by assisting with water absorption and regulating the balance of fluid in your cells. It also helps with your brain function, conversion of energy, and your metabolism. If your electrolytes are out of balance or you do not have enough, you could experience brain fog, muscle, or nerve issues.
q: What are trace minerals?
Your body needs different minerals for different jobs. They help your bones, heart, muscles, and brain do their job properly. They also are used to make hormones and enzymes. There are two different kinds including macrominerals and trace minerals.
q: What are the symptoms of dehydration?
Being even slightly dehydrated can affect a lot of your body systems adversely. You will find yourself getting brain fog or losing energy and getting tired easily. Your muscles may become weaker, achy, or you might even have spasms. You will probably experience sluggishness and headaches. It can affect your digestion and even cause constipation. It can also cause dry skin and dry mouth.
q: What helps you stay hydrated?
Athletes or just people who enjoy working out, people who live in a hot and humid area, or anyone who sweats excessively for any reason needs to have good hydration and consumption of electrolytes in order to stay healthy and perform well. If you do not get enough water with electrolytes, you develop an imbalance and you will lose minerals that flow through the joints and keep away pain, inflammation, and arthritis. Just drinking water alone is not going to properly hydrate your body. You need the electrolytes as well. The cells and joints in your body need a perfect balance of minerals.
q: When should you be looking for electrolyte imbalances?
Anytime you are getting rid of bodily fluids of any kind, you are losing electrolytes. Sweating is probably the most common way but there is also vomiting, tummy issues, and even urination are ways you lose electrolytes from your body. That is why a hard workout or a case of stomach flu and leave you feeling drained. You have suddenly electrolytes from your system. You can also get electrolyte imbalances from being dehydrated for a while, having a high fever or kidney problems, a physical trauma, or from switching medications.
q: How should you be replacing electrolytes?
We have been focused on electrolyte supplements because they are a convenient way for you to rehydrate quickly, but you can also get your electrolytes through the food you eat for ongoing maintenance. If you want to make them a part of your diet, bananas are good to give you more potassium. Milk or yogurt give you calcium of course. Salty foods or table salt can give you back lost sodium, but you need to be careful not to get too much sodium since there is so much in the food we eat. If you want to get more magnesium, you can find it in nuts or dark green leafy vegetables like spinach. You can get chloride from lettuce, tomatoes, or celery.
q: Who should be the most concerned about having an electrolyte imbalance?
If you are an extreme fitness enthusiast or an athlete who loses too much sweat in a short time you might have temporary electrolyte imbalances like muscle cramps. This is usually because you have lost a lot of sodium through your sweat. Elderly people should be conscious of imbalances because kidney function tends to get worse with age. They can also be affected by certain medications, illnesses, or declining cognitive abilities. Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy can also be susceptible.
Sources
- 5 Questions You Need To Ask About Electrolytes, Article ,
- 5 Hydration Do's and Donts, Article ,
- Ask Dr. Lindsay, Article ,
- Questions About Isotonic Drinks, Article ,
- Electrolytes - What Are They?, Article ,
- Electrolytes - Understanding Replacement Options, Article ,