Okay, so, hydration, right? It’s a big deal. I’ve been trying to get better about drinking enough fluids, especially when I’m working out or it’s hot outside. I kept seeing these electrolyte drinks pop up everywhere – LMNT, Liquid IV, and Nuun – and I got curious. Could they really be better than just plain old water? I decided to put them to the test and see for myself.
Round 1: LMNT
First up was LMNT. I heard a lot of hype about this one. People said it’s great for low-carb diets and has a ton of sodium, which is supposed to be good for hydration, right? So, I ordered a variety pack and started with the citrus salt flavor. I mixed it with water like it said on the packet. The first sip… whoa. It was salty. Like, really salty. I love salt, but this was almost too much. I persevered and drank the whole thing. I did feel pretty good after, but I wasn’t sure if it was the drink or just the fact that I had chugged a bunch of water. I tried a few other flavors like watermelon and raspberry and found those were more to my liking.
Round 2: Liquid IV
Next, I tried Liquid IV. This one seemed a bit more mainstream. The packaging was colorful, and it promised “faster hydration.” I mixed up a packet of the lemon-lime flavor, took a sip, and… it was okay. It was definitely sweeter than LMNT, which some people might prefer. I did feel hydrated after drinking it, and it was easier to get down than LMNT because it wasn’t as salty. I also noticed it had some B vitamins and other stuff, which I guess is a plus.
Round 3: Nuun
Finally, I gave Nuun a shot. This one comes in little tablets that you drop into your water bottle. I liked that it was portable and seemed less messy than the powders. I tried the citrus fruit flavor. It fizzed up, which was kind of fun. The taste was pretty mild, not too sweet, not too salty. It was just… refreshing. I drank this after a long run, and it did the trick. I felt rehydrated and didn’t have that weird salty aftertaste that I got with LMNT.
The Verdict
So, after trying all three, here’s my take. If you’re really into salty things, like, seawater-level salty, then maybe LMNT is for you. I know some people swear by it, especially if they’re on a specific diet. Personally, it was a bit too much for me. Liquid IV is a good middle-ground. It’s sweeter and has some added vitamins, but it’s not my favorite in terms of taste.
- For me, Nuun was the winner. The taste was the most pleasant, it was easy to use, and it did a great job of hydrating me.
But hey, everyone’s different! What works for me might not work for you. It might be worth trying out a few different ones to see which you like best. Just remember, even with these electrolyte drinks, regular water is still super important, so don’t forget to drink that, too!
