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Liquid IV, a California-based wellness company founded in 2012 by Brandin Cohen, focuses on enhancing hydration with products readily available at retailers like Costco, Walmart, Target, and Amazon. At the core of Liquid IV’s offerings are their renowned hydration packets, designed to effectively replenish electrolytes in the body.
As explained by the Cleveland Clinic, electrolytes are crucial minerals needed to maintain fluid balance within the body, playing vital roles in processes like fluid regulation, energy management, and supporting mental function, muscle contractions, and heartbeat. While the body can replenish electrolytes through food, imbalances can occur easily due to factors like excessive sweating, fever, diarrhea, or vomiting, resulting in dehydration and symptoms such as muscle cramps and headaches.
Hydration packets offer a solution by quickly restoring lost electrolytes and maintaining the body’s balance. Liquid IV’s mixes provide not only functionality but also great taste. But is it safe to consume Liquid IV daily? Continue reading to discover what happens to your body with daily use.
You’ll easily replenish electrolyte losses
When you’re sick or exercise heavily, you lose water and vital electrolytes through sweat. To effectively counteract these losses and prevent imbalances, it’s essential to remain vigilant and replace lost fluids, as highlighted by Healthline. This makes electrolyte-enriched beverages crucial, and Liquid IV offers a rehydration solution that emphasizes electrolytes’ role in maintaining bodily functions.
Liquid IV’s products utilize smart hydration technology, offering superior hydration compared to water alone through their innovative Cellular Transport Technology (CTT). CTT enhances the absorption of water and nutrients into the body through the digestive tract’s sodium-glucose transport mechanism, leading to a faster and more efficient rehydration process. This technology features in products like Hydration Multiplier, Energy Multiplier, and others.
You’ll have an easier time staying hydrated
Liquid IV is celebrated for its advanced hydration technology and the encouragement it provides for maintaining hydration. The brand helps users keep up with water intake throughout the day, promoting a healthier lifestyle.
Reviews from satisfied customers highlight the product’s effectiveness in improving hydration habits. For those who struggle with daily water intake, Liquid IV turns hydration into a more enjoyable experience. One user expresses gratitude, noting they are “forever indebted to Liquid IV” for combating dehydration.
The variety of delightful flavors offered by Liquid IV is frequently mentioned as a motivation for increased water consumption. Customers appreciate the flavors as they transform drinking water into a pleasurable activity, creating anticipation for their daily hydration routine and helping maintain fluid balance. Liquid IV has cultivated a dedicated following who value the product for making hydration enjoyable and manageable.
You’ll give your immune system a boost
Aside from Liquid IV’s Sleep Multiplier, vitamin C is a common ingredient in the brand’s hydration packets, aimed at boosting the immune system, as noted by Liquid IV. A 2017 study in Nutrients highlights vitamin C’s immune-boosting benefits, essential for health. Since the body can’t synthesize vitamin C, obtaining it through diet or supplements is crucial.
The study indicates vitamin C enhances skin health, boosts wound healing, and improves the body’s defense against microbes. Internally, vitamin C protects immune cells from oxidative stress, ensuring they function optimally. It also aids white blood cells’ ability to combat infections and is known for reducing cold severity and duration.
Despite its importance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes vitamin C deficiency is common, ranking as the fifth leading nutrient deficiency in the U.S. Liquid IV’s inclusion of vitamin C enhances its hydration packets.
You’ll also replenish some much-needed carbs
Liquid IV’s hydration packets contain 11 grams of carbs from added sugars per serving, except for the sugar-free Hydration Multiplier. The carbohydrate content serves two purposes. First, sugar supports the CTT used by Liquid IV, promoting efficient water absorption, as explained by Liquid IV.
A study in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences shows sugar’s role in sodium and water absorption, essential for CTT’s effectiveness. Thus, carbohydrates, specifically sugar, ensure swift hydration.
Carbohydrates also replenish energy stores, especially for athletes after intense exercise or those with gastrointestinal issues experiencing water losses. Dietitian Emily Paonessa notes (via Forbes) the carbs in Liquid IV provide easily digestible fuel, aiding fluid restoration, glycogen replenishment, and post-exercise recovery.
You won’t need to worry about food allergies or sensitivities
Liquid IV ensures its products are inclusive and safe for a wide range of consumers. On its website, the brand states its products are free of common allergens and GMOs.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) highlights food allergies and sensitivities as significant concerns for many Americans. The FDA lists nine major allergens that can trigger reactions ranging from mild to severe. Liquid IV hydration mixes are vegan and free of gluten, dairy, nuts, and soy.
Additionally, Liquid IV products are verified non-GMO. Although GMOs are generally safe, concerns exist regarding their environmental impact and health implications, including allergies and illnesses (via Healthline). By eliminating common allergens and addressing GMO concerns, Liquid IV caters to diverse dietary needs and preferences.
You may exceed your daily sodium intake
While Liquid IV effectively hydrates and replenishes electrolytes, be cautious about excessive sodium intake with regular use, especially if electrolyte replacement isn’t needed. Each Liquid IV packet contains 500 mg of sodium, 22% of the daily value (DV) for the mineral, according to Liquid IV. Overconsumption could lead to high sodium intake.
The FDA warns that exceeding the DV may cause health issues. Sodium content of 5% DV or less is low, while 20% DV or more is high. Excessive sodium intake may increase high blood pressure risk, a contributor to stroke and heart disease, due to sodium’s water retention, raising blood volume and pressure (via the FDA).
Use oral rehydration solutions (ORS) like Liquid IV as directed; avoid excessive quantities quickly. A case report in the Indian Journal of Pediatrics notes improper ORS use can lead to salt poisoning (hypernatremia), causing symptoms from nausea to severe cases like seizures or death.
It might get expensive
While Liquid IV’s hydration and electrolyte benefits are clear, incorporating it daily can become costly. Packet costs vary by size and purchasing options. Smaller packs of 14 to 16 sticks cost around $25, according to Liquid IV, meaning a month-long supply could cost $50.
For cost savings, Liquid IV offers customized bundles, allowing tailored purchases (via Liquid IV). Options include 3-pack bundles of 48 packets for $65-$70, 4-pack bundles of 64 packets for $88-$90, and 12-pack bundles of 192 sticks for about $290.
Liquid IV provides free standard shipping in the U.S. and a LIV Membership for $5 every three months, offering discounts and perks. While bundles save per packet, consider the overall cost of daily Liquid IV consumption.
You could try a different flavor daily
A standout feature of Liquid IV is its wide range of flavors, appreciated by consumers for enhancing hydration enjoyment. With flavors like white peach, lemon-lime, green grape, passion fruit, and more (via Liquid IV), the brand offers an impressive selection that caters to diverse tastes, making drinking water more exciting.
The variety allows you to enjoy a different flavor daily, adding a refreshing twist to your hydration routine and motivating you to stay hydrated. For instance, the Lemon Lime flavor is described as a burst of sunshine, while the passion fruit flavor offers a delightful tropical essence with each sip.
It might lead to electrolyte imbalances
While Liquid IV is effective for rehydration and electrolyte replenishment, caution is advised with daily consumption. Excessive daily use can lead to electrolyte imbalances, affecting health. Imbalances occur when essential mineral levels are too low or high relative to body water, as explained by Livestrong. Excessive electrolyte intake can cause harmful mineral buildup.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, electrolyte imbalance symptoms include confusion, diarrhea, fatigue, headaches, irregular heart rate, cramps, nausea, and vomiting. Registered dietitian Julia Zumpano states electrolyte products like Liquid IV aim to replenish depleted reserves, which is why they contain high mineral concentrations. Overuse can disrupt the body’s delicate balance, leading to imbalances and health risks. While Liquid IV offers hydration benefits, use it mindfully as intended.
