Nuun vs Liquid I.V.: sodium, sugar and cost compared
Label data checked . Amounts are per 12 fl oz of finished drink unless a table says otherwise.
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier has 67% more sodium than Nuun Sport per 12 fl oz (375 mg vs 225 mg). Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier has 11 times the sugar of Nuun Sport per 12 fl oz (8.3 g vs 0.8 g). Nuun Sport costs less per liter as mixed ($1.58 vs $3.30 for Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier).
Nuun Sport vs Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier, side by side
| Nutrient | Nuun Sport | Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Format | tablet | powder stick |
| Drink volume | 12 fl oz (355 mL) | 12 fl oz (355 mL) |
| Calories | 11 kcal | 38 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 3 g | 8.3 g |
| Sugars | 0.8 g | 8.3 g |
| Added sugars | 0.8 g | 8.3 g |
| Sodium | 225 mg | 375 mg |
| Potassium | 113 mg | 278 mg |
| Magnesium | 19 mg | not on label |
| Calcium | 9.8 mg | not on label |
| Chloride | 30 mg | not on label |
| Caffeine | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Nutrient | Nuun Sport | Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Format | tablet | powder stick |
| Drink volume | 1 liter (33.8 fl oz) | 1 liter (33.8 fl oz) |
| Calories | 32 kcal | 106 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 8.5 g | 23 g |
| Sugars | 2.1 g | 23 g |
| Added sugars | 2.1 g | 23 g |
| Sodium | 634 mg | 1,057 mg |
| Potassium | 317 mg | 782 mg |
| Magnesium | 53 mg | not on label |
| Calcium | 27 mg | not on label |
| Chloride | 85 mg | not on label |
| Caffeine | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Nutrient | Nuun Sport | Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Format | tablet | powder stick |
| Drink volume | 16 fl oz (473 mL) | 16 fl oz (473 mL) |
| Calories | 15 kcal | 50 kcal |
| Carbohydrate | 4 g | 11 g |
| Sugars | 1 g | 11 g |
| Added sugars | 1 g | 11 g |
| Sodium | 300 mg | 500 mg |
| Potassium | 150 mg | 370 mg |
| Magnesium | 25 mg | not on label |
| Calcium | 13 mg | not on label |
| Chloride | 40 mg | not on label |
| Caffeine | 0 mg | 0 mg |
Shaded cells mark more electrolytes, or less sugar and fewer calories. Carbohydrate and caffeine are not marked, since more or less depends on your use.
Nuun Sport label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Nuun is owned by Nestlé Health Science.
Sodium per liter
Sweat carries about 230 to 1,610 mg of sodium per liter[1]. Both gauges use the same scale, so the markers line up.
Cost per serving and per 1,000 mg sodium
| Measure | Nuun Sport | Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Price checked | $7.49 for 1 tube, 10 tablets | $24.99 for 16 sticks (1 pouch) |
| Cost per serving | $0.75 | $1.56 |
| Cost per liter | $1.58 | $3.30 |
| Cost per 1,000 mg sodium | $2.50 | $3.12 |
Nuun Sport price checked at Nuun . Source (opens in a new tab)
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier price checked at Liquid I.V. (brand store) . Source (opens in a new tab)
Sugar, sweeteners and caffeine
- Sugar from dextrose. Sweetened with stevia.
- Some Nuun Sport flavors have caffeine (up to 40 mg per serving); the others have none.
- 0.8% carbohydrate as mixed, which we estimate as hypotonic.
Ingredients
Citric Acid, Dextrose, Sodium Bicarbonate, Potassium Bicarbonate, Sodium Carbonate, And Less Than 2% Of Natural Flavor, Potassium Chloride, Magnesium Oxide, Calcium Carbonate, Stevia Leaf Extract, Avocado Oil, Beet Juice (For Color)
- Sugar from cane sugar and dextrose. Sweetened with stevia.
- Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier has no caffeine.
- 2.3% carbohydrate as mixed, which we estimate as hypotonic.
Ingredients
Cane Sugar, Dextrose, Citric Acid, Salt, Potassium Citrate, Sodium Citrate, Dipotassium Phosphate, Silicon Dioxide, Stevia Leaf Extract (Rebaudioside A), Natural Flavors, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide), Vitamin B5 (Calcium D-Pantothenate), Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride), Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin).
Which to pick
Each reason below is a measured difference in the label data.
Pick Nuun if
- you want less sugar: 0.8 g vs 8.3 g per 12 fl oz
- you want magnesium: 19 mg per 12 fl oz vs not on the label
- you want the option of a caffeinated flavor: up to 40 mg per serving
- you want the lower cost per liter: $1.58 vs $3.30
- you want the cheapest sodium: $2.50 vs $3.12 per 1,000 mg
Pick Liquid I.V. if
- you want more sodium: 375 mg vs 225 mg per 12 fl oz
- you want more potassium: 278 mg vs 113 mg per 12 fl oz
Where to buy
Some links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you buy, and it never changes the data or rankings. Affiliate disclosure.
Nuun Sport
Other Nuun vs Liquid I.V. matchups
Nuun Zero Sugar vs Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free has 2.5 times the sodium of Nuun Zero Sugar per 12 fl oz (375 mg vs 150 mg). Neither has any sugar.
| Per 12 fl oz | Nuun Zero Sugar | Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free |
|---|---|---|
| Sodium | 150 mg | 375 mg |
| Potassium | 94 mg | 278 mg |
| Magnesium | 15 mg | not on label |
| Carbohydrate | 3 g | 3.8 g |
| Sugars | 0 g | 0 g |
| Calories | 11 kcal | 15 kcal |
| Cost per liter | $1.58 | $3.30 |
Nuun Zero Sugar label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Nuun Zero Sugar price checked at Nuun . Source (opens in a new tab)
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free price checked at Liquid I.V. (brand store) . Source (opens in a new tab)
Nuun Sport Powder vs Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier has 67% more sodium than Nuun Sport Powder per 12 fl oz (375 mg vs 225 mg). Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier has 11 times the sugar of Nuun Sport Powder per 12 fl oz (8.3 g vs 0.8 g).
| Per 12 fl oz | Nuun Sport Powder | Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| Sodium | 225 mg | 375 mg |
| Potassium | 113 mg | 278 mg |
| Magnesium | 19 mg | not on label |
| Carbohydrate | 1.5 g | 8.3 g |
| Sugars | 0.8 g | 8.3 g |
| Calories | 8 kcal | 38 kcal |
| Cost per liter | $3.17 | $3.30 |
Nuun Sport Powder label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier label checked . Source (opens in a new tab)
Nuun Sport Powder price checked at Nuun . Source (opens in a new tab)
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier price checked at Liquid I.V. (brand store) . Source (opens in a new tab)
What the data can't tell you
- How they taste. We compare labels, not flavor.
- What they cost near you today. We checked Nuun Sport at Nuun on Sep 24, 2026 and Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier at Liquid I.V. (brand store) on Sep 24, 2026.
- How much sodium you lose. That depends on your sweat; the sweat rate calculator gives an estimate.
- Every flavor. Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier lists different values for some flavors; this page uses the main label.
- Older records. The USDA food database has older figures for Nuun Sport that differ by more than 10%. We use the current label.
FAQ
Which has more electrolytes, Nuun or Liquid I.V.?
Per 12 fl oz, Nuun Sport has 225 mg sodium, 113 mg potassium and 19 mg magnesium. Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier has 375 mg sodium and 278 mg potassium. Per liter that is 634 mg vs 1,057 mg sodium. Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier doesn't list magnesium on the label.
Does Nuun or Liquid I.V. have more sugar?
Nuun Sport: 0.8 g sugar and 11 kcal per 12 fl oz, sweetened with stevia. Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier: 8.3 g sugar and 38 kcal per 12 fl oz, sweetened with stevia.
Which is cheaper, Nuun or Liquid I.V.?
Nuun Sport worked out at $0.75 a serving, $1.58 a liter and $2.50 per 1,000 mg sodium (1 tube, 10 tablets at Nuun, checked Sep 24, 2026). Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier worked out at $1.56 a serving, $3.30 a liter and $3.12 per 1,000 mg sodium (16 sticks (1 pouch) at Liquid I.V. (brand store), checked Sep 24, 2026). Prices change often, so treat these as a snapshot.
How does Nuun Zero Sugar compare with Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free?
Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free has 2.5 times the sodium of Nuun Zero Sugar per 12 fl oz (375 mg vs 150 mg). Neither has any sugar. Per liter as mixed, Nuun Zero Sugar costs $1.58 and Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free costs $3.30.
Does Nuun or Liquid I.V. have caffeine?
Some Nuun Sport flavors have caffeine (up to 40 mg per serving); the others have none. Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier has no caffeine.
Is Nuun or Liquid I.V. better for a hangover?
Neither label is evidence about hangovers, and we don't rate drinks on that. What the labels show: per 12 fl oz, Nuun Sport has 225 mg sodium and 0.8 g sugar, and Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier has 375 mg sodium and 8.3 g sugar.