Key findings
- 1The sugar in Liquid IV is functionally required: the sodium-glucose co-transport mechanism the WHO oral rehydration formula is built on calls for both
- 2WHO oral rehydration solution uses 4 ingredients: glucose, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, trisodium citrate. Liquid IV adds natural flavors, stevia, silicon dioxide, and vitamins
- 3"Cellular Transport Technology" is a branded name for oral rehydration science developed by the WHO in the 1960s-70s
What goes into Liquid IV products?
Liquid IV is an oral rehydration solution (ORS), built on the sodium, potassium and glucose ratio the World Health Organization published for treating dehydration. The formulation includes two sugar sources (cane sugar and dextrose) at precise concentrations to activate sodium-glucose co-transporters in the gut, electrolyte salts (sodium citrate, potassium citrate, dipotassium phosphate) in calculated ratios, silicon dioxide (anti-caking agent), stevia leaf extract (supplementary sweetener), natural flavors, and added vitamins (B3, B5, B6, B12, C). While the underlying ORS science is well-established, the commercial product adds flavoring, sweetening, and vitamin fortification beyond what medical ORS formulas contain.
How 26 liquid iv products break down
Share of products at each processing level, in our analysis.
Liquid IV brand comparison
From least to most processed in our database.
How to read a Liquid IV label
- 1
Liquid IV contains 11g of sugar per serving; the sugar is functionally necessary for the ORS mechanism
- 2
Silicon dioxide is an anti-caking agent that prevents the powder from clumping
- 3
"Cellular Transport Technology" is a branded name for standard oral rehydration science
- 4
Compare to WHO oral rehydration salts: glucose, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, trisodium citrate, simpler
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Frequently asked questions
Is Liquid IV actually effective for hydration?
Liquid IV follows the oral rehydration formula the WHO established for treating dehydration, and its sugar-to-sodium ratio is what that formula specifies. The added vitamins and flavors sit outside it. Whether the product works for a given person is a medical question; this page is about how processed it is.
Is Liquid IV better than Gatorade?
Liquid IV and Gatorade serve different purposes. Liquid IV follows the oral rehydration formula; Gatorade is formulated for use during exercise. Liquid IV lists fewer artificial ingredients but more total sodium per serving. Of the 26 Liquid IV products we score, none are Level 4 (ultra-processed) and 25 are Level 3.
Can I make my own oral rehydration solution?
Yes. The WHO formula is: 1 liter water, 6 teaspoons sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt. This three-ingredient solution uses the same co-transport mechanism without flavors, stevia, or added vitamins.