Staying hydrated is crucial for our health and wellbeing. Dehydration can cause headaches, fatigue, muscle cramps, dizziness and more. For athletes and people who sweat a lot, hydration is even more important.
Adequate hydration helps transport nutrients, remove waste, lubricate joints, and regulate body temperature.
Electrolyte drinks are a popular way to restore fluids and electrolytes lost through sweat.
When we sweat, we lose critical electrolytes like sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium. Drinking plain water simply doesn’t replenish these important minerals and electrolytes.
In this article, we’ll compare two popular electrolyte drink mixes – Ultima and Liquid I.V.
We’ll look at the ingredients, taste, convenience, and effectiveness of both products.
Read on to find out which electrolyte drink may work best for your hydration needs.
Ingredient Profile Comparison of Ultima And Liquid I.V. Electrolyte Drinks
The key to an effective electrolyte drink is the blend of minerals, electrolytes and other ingredients used. Let’s break down and compare the unique formulations of Ultima and Liquid I.V:
Main Ingredients
- Ultima’s key ingredients: sodium citrate, potassium citrate, calcium citrate, magnesium citrate and potassium phosphate. It also contains Stevia leaf extract as the sole sweetener.
- Liquid I.V. contains four main electrolytes: sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride and magnesium chloride. It’s sweetened with a blend of cane sugar and Stevia.
- Right away we notice Ultima utilizes a citrate form for its main electrolytes while Liquid I.V. uses a chloride form.
Electrolyte Content
- Ultima provides 6 key electrolytes: sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and chloride.
- Liquid I.V. also provides 4 of these same electrolytes: sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium. It does not contain phosphorus or chloride.
- Both provide ample sodium and potassium – which are the two most critical electrolytes for hydration and fluid balance.
- Ultima provides a broader spectrum with 6 total electrolytes versus 4 in Liquid I.V.
Vitamins & Minerals
- An added benefit of Liquid I.V. is that it includes zinc and Vitamin C in its blend – two immunity boosting micronutrients.
- Ultima does not contain any added vitamins or minerals beyond electrolytes. It focuses solely on hydration.
- If you want an extra kick of vitamins with electrolyte replenishment, Liquid I.V. has the advantage here.
Sweeteners
- As mentioned, Ultima is sweetened 100% with Stevia leaf extract for zero calories or glycemic impact.
- Liquid I.V. uses a blend of cane sugar and Stevia. The 3 grams of sugar adds some calories and carbs.
- For low-carb diets or diabetes concerns, Ultima’s stevia-only approach may be preferable.
Other Ingredients
- In addition to sweeteners, Ultima includes some natural flavors and fruit/vegetable juice powder for taste.
- Liquid I.V. also utilizes natural flavors along with malic acid.
- Overall both products have clean, simple ingredients ideal for quick hydration.
Nutrient Value of Ultima And Liquid I.V. Electrolyte Drinks
Looking beyond just ingredients, here is the full nutritional breakdown per serving of Ultima versus Liquid I.V:
| Nutrient | Ultima | Liquid I.V. |
| Calories | 0 | 15 |
| Total Carbohydrates | 0g | 3g |
| Sugars | 0g | 3g |
| Sodium | 350mg | 330mg |
| Potassium | 100mg | 100mg |
| Calcium | 60mg | 60mg |
| Magnesium | 25mg | 25mg |
| Phosphorus | 5mg | – |
| Chloride | 25mg | – |
| Zinc | – | 8mg |
| Vitamin C | – | 200mg |
- With zero calories and carbs, Ultima is better for low-carb, Keto and diabetic diets. Liquid I.V.’s sugar adds some calories.
- Both contain ample sodium and potassium – the primary electrolytes needed for hydration.
- Ultima provides more electrolytes overall, while Liquid I.V. offers the benefit of immune-supporting Zinc and Vitamin C.
- For pure hydration, Ultima may have a slight edge. But Liquid I.V. offers more well-rounded vitamin replenishment.
Flavor and Taste Comparison
Taste is always subjective, but here is some key information on how Ultima and Liquid I.V. typically rate in reviews:
Ultima Flavors
- Offered in 16 delicious flavors like Grape, Fruit Punch, Lemonade, Orange, and more.
- Limited Edition flavors like Black Cherry are introduced occasionally.
- Most report flavors taste light, crisp, and refreshing – not artificial. Sweetened subtly with Stevia.
- Some reviewers say certain flavors taste overly sweet or slightly bitter. But overall reviews are very positive.
Liquid I.V. Flavors
- Comes in 8 lightly sweetened flavors like Lemon Lime, Watermelon, and Grape.
- Seasonal flavors like Candy Cane are offered during holidays.
- The subtle flavors mix invisibly into water with a delicately sweet taste.
- Some do report a unpleasant chemical-like aftertaste. Most enjoy the light clean flavors.
- With fewer flavor choices, Liquid I.V. varieties are more limited.
Convenience and Usage Comparison
In addition to ingredients and taste, an effective electrolyte drink needs to mix and drink easily. Here is how Ultima and Liquid I.V. compare in terms of convenience:
Mixability
- Both drinks dissolve rapidly in plain water with just quick shaking or stirring. No blender required.
- Ultima generally dissolves a bit faster (5-10 seconds) according to reviews.
- But both mixes are reported to dissolve thoroughly with no clumping or residue.
Packaging
- Ultima comes in foil-wrapped 20 count boxes or larger canisters for value.
- Liquid I.V. sells 16 count boxes or canisters. Individual single-serve packets also available.
- The stick packets are similarly convenient for dropping in a bag or bottle on the go. Slight edge to Ultima for 4 more sticks per box.
Serving Size
- Directions say to mix one Ultima stick with about 16-20oz of water.
- Liquid I.V. recommends one packet per 16oz of water.
- Nearly identical here – one full stick packet per 16-20oz water bottle is the easy standard serving size for both.
Hydration Benefits of Ultima And Liquid I.V. Electrolyte Drinks
The most important consideration is how well these electrolyte drink mixes actually hydrate. Here is a look at their hydration benefits:
Hydration Testing
- Ultima claims their blend hydrates up to 2-3x faster than water, but they don’t cite any specific clinical testing.
- Liquid I.V. funded an actual clinical trial validating their formula hydrates 2-3x more efficiently than water alone.
- While Ultima is likely highly effective too, Liquid I.V. provides stronger evidence with verified clinical testing.
Absorption Rate
- Anecdotally, many report both drinks provide hydration benefits within 5-10 minutes of drinking them.
- This rapid absorption can likely be attributed to the electrolytes enhancing fluid intake compared to plain water.
- However, without scientific testing from Ultima, it’s unclear if their absorption rates rival Liquid I.V.
Electrolyte Replenishment
- Both drinks contain adequate sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium to effectively replenish electrolytes.
- With the addition of phosphorus and chloride, Ultima could potentially replace a broader spectrum of electrolytes lost from heavy sweating.
- Overall, both seem capable of restoring depleted electrolytes, with Ultima possibly having a slight edge. More clinical research is needed.
Exercise & Hangover Recovery
- Both Ultima and Liquid I.V. are commonly used for sports recovery after intense training or matches to rehydrate safely and efficiently.
- Users also report both drinks help rehydrate and alleviate hangovers quickly thanks to rapid fluid and electrolyte replenishment.
- For recovery use cases, they seem comparable based on anecdotal reviews.
Cost Breakdown
Let’s look at the typical cost for Ultima versus Liquid I.V.:
- Ultima 20-count box: $25 ($1.25 per stick packet)
- Liquid I.V. 16-count box: $25 ($1.56 per stick packet)
- Ultima large canister (30 servings): $35 ($1.17 per serving)
- Liquid I.V. large tub (30 servings): $45 ($1.50 per serving)
- When purchased in bulk powder form instead of individual sticks, the per-serving cost ends up very similar.
- Subscribing can reduce the per packet cost for both brands.
- Overall the pricing is competitive. Ultima packs 4 more sticks per box.
Pros and Cons of Ultima And Liquid I.V. Electrolyte Drinks
Let’s summarize the key upsides and downsides of each electrolyte drink:
Ultima Pros
- Broader spectrum with 6 key electrolytes
- Zero sugar and calories
- 16 flavor choices
- Rapidly dissolving
- Very affordable cost per serving
Ultima Cons
- No clinical testing published
- Some report artificial or overly sweet flavors
- Does not contain immune-boosting vitamins
Liquid I.V. Pros:
- Clinically tested absorption
- Added Zinc and Vitamin C
- Sugar adds mellow sweetness
- More subtle, clean flavors
- Trusted by many pro athletes
Liquid I.V. Cons
- Only contains 4 key electrolytes
- Has 3g of sugar per serving
- Limited flavor selections
- Some note unpleasant aftertaste
- More expensive
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, Ultima is generally considered a very healthy electrolyte drink option. It has zero sugar and calories along with 6 key electrolytes, making it ideal for low-carb diets and diabetes. The stevia sweetener has no glycemic impact. It provides fast hydration without any “junk” ingredients. The only drawback is Ultima provides no clinical studies to verify their hydration claims, unlike Liquid I.V.
For severe dehydration, Pedialyte may be superior to Liquid I.V. because it has more sodium and sugar to rapidly restore lost fluids and electrolytes. However, for milder everyday hydration needs, Liquid I.V. offers a lighter, easier drinking option with added vitamins. Liquid I.V. also comes in more appealing flavors versus Pedialyte. So while Pedialyte wins for serious dehydration and illness, Liquid I.V. works better for exercise recovery or moderate hydration needs.
While both contain similar electrolytes, a few key differences stand out. Nuun has less sodium (200mg vs 350mg in Ultima) and only 4 electrolytes compared to Ultima’s 6. It also has 1g of sugar from sucralose. The most noticeable difference is taste – Nuun flavors tend to be very bold, sweet and effervescent, while Ultima aims for lighter, crisper, more subtle flavors. If you want a strong flavor, Nuun may suit you better. But Ultima offers more electrolytes and less sweetness.
Ultima contains 6 total electrolytes: sodium (350mg per serving), potassium (100mg), magnesium (25mg), calcium (60mg), phosphorus (5mg), and chloride (25mg). So you get ample amounts of the top 4 electrolytes needed – sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium. The additional phosphorus and chloride provide a broader spectrum. Compared to drinks with just 4 electrolytes, the extra two in Ultima give it an edge.
Final Takeaway
Replenishing fluids and electrolytes is a crucial part of staying hydrated, especially for athletes and active individuals who sweat heavily. Both Ultima and Liquid I.V. offer convenient, portable ways to hydrate quickly and deeply.
With its stevia-only sweetening, 6 electrolytes, and lighter flavors, we recommend Ultima as the best choice for low-carb diets and pure hydration benefits. But Liquid I.V. also has unique upsides like added vitamins and clinical absorption testing.
While Ultima takes the slight lead, both drinks have proven hydration properties. The optimal choice depends largely on your taste preferences and hydration needs. But no matter which you choose, proper hydration throughout the day is key for feeling and performing at your best.