Top Electrolyte Dupes for MLM Brands

You know that moment when someone from high school slides into your DMs, suddenly a self-proclaimed wellness expert, trying to get you hooked on their “life-changing” electrolyte drink mix? They swear their magical MLM stuff (I'm talking to you Plexus, Herbalife, and Prüvit) will replenish key electrolytes and make you feel like the main character in a Super Bowl Gatorade ad.

Bold move, considering half of these electrolyte powders are overpriced sugar bombs or worse: science fiction in a shiny package.

If you’re sitting there, charged with suspicion that all these MLM electrolyte supplements are a whole lotta hype, your instincts are correct.

Let’s talk about the bullshit going on with electrolyte supplement marketing, break down what hydration and electrolyte replenishment is actually about, and point you toward the best electrolyte powders that won’t recruit you into a “business opportunity.” (Barf.)

Table of Contents

What Are Electrolytes, Anyway? (And Why You Don’t Need a Pink Pyramid Powder)

Ever wonder why electrolytes are such a big deal for staying hydrated? Well, they're super important for your body to actually use the water you drink.

Electrolytes include five key nutrients: sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and chloride. These are the nutrients that help keep your fluids balanced, make your muscles move, send electrical signals through your nerves (hence the name), and even get water into your cells where it's needed most. If these electrolytes get out of balance, your body can't work its best!

You lose essential electrolytes through sweat (hello, intense exercise, summer runs, or trying your damn best to keep up in that Orange Theory class), vomiting (shoutout to norovirus…), and other bodily fluids.

While most people get all the electrolytes they need from their regular diet, some people need to supplement. Without replacing those nutrients, you're left to face an electrolyte deficiency: muscle cramps, headaches, and feeling like literal death.

Red Flags in MLM Electrolyte Supplements

There are several MLMs that make supplements, including electrolyte supplements, weirdly complicated. They're overly sweet, overpriced, and sometimes loaded with ingredients that are about as mysterious as the plot of “Tenet.” Let's talk about it.

Wild-West Ingredient Lists

A lot of MLM electrolyte drink options hide behind proprietary blends. Can you trust them with your sodium intake or that they’re delivering adequate electrolytes per serving? Nope. Good luck figuring out what key nutrients or essential minerals you’re actually buying.

Dollar Store Science

MLMs love marketing terms like “superior electrolyte replenishment” while skipping any real research or professional backing. “Our mix contains quercetin,” they say without telling you how much, if you even need quercetin, or why it is in an electrolyte supplement when it isn't an electrolyte. WTF.

The Price is NOT Right

Even the steepest MLM “discounts” can cost several dollars per serving for glorified flavor options you could get with a squeeze of lemon and a pinch of salt. That is unreal for a supplement that usually doesn't even have enough electrolytes to replenish what you need.

The Role of Sugar in Electrolyte Supplementation

Let’s talk about sugar real quick. The sugar content in electrolyte drinks (and powders, and tablets, and every watermelon salt-lemon-lime-flavored concoction out there) actually does impact how well your body absorbs water and electrolytes. Here’s the science (promise, no quiz at the end):

Sugar, usually glucose, helps pull sodium and water from your gut into your bloodstream, which is the magic behind oral rehydration solutions and why a pinch of sugar plus salt in water is a legit medical intervention for dehydration. It's also why some electrolyte drink mixes include cane sugar, glucose, or other carbohydrate sources: to boost electrolyte absorption during times your body is losing fluids fast (think food poisoning, marathon training, or forgetting to hydrate until you’re already dying in hot yoga).

But here’s the not-so-sweet side: most folks drinking electrolyte supplements after a basic workout or just trying to hydrate through the afternoon don’t need extra sugar at all, especially if you’re not actively losing a ton of electrolytes. Added sugar ramps up the calorie count with exactly zero additional benefits for hydration status or electrolyte balance if you’re not, say, running an ultra-marathon or rehydrating after the stomach flu.

So, to sugar-free or not to sugar-free? That is the question. And, it really depends on why you're using them and what your overall diet looks like. But if your main goal is just to flavor your water, save yourself the unnecessary sugar and salt, and just grab some Crystal Lite instead. Prioritize what you need, not what some MLM rep says you need to “stay properly hydrated."

The Best MLM Electrolyte Supplement Alternatives

There’s a reason actual athletes and people with “science” in their bio don’t hawk MLM powders. You have better options that are real, effective, and affordable.

Over-the-Counter Powders, Tablets, and Drink Mixes

• Liquid I.V.: A more classic, recognizable electrolyte drink mix, well-loved for hydration and electrolyte replenishment. Flavors range from lemon lime and strawberry lemonade (hor a hit of nostalgia) to golden cherry and pear (for the “daring”). Be wary: the sugar and salt content are legit, so save for when you actually need to replenish electrolytes lost, not for Tuesday Zoom meetings.

• DripDrop: Think “medical-grade” oral rehydration solution but widely available. Salty edge, decent electrolyte absorption, actual research behind it. Berry flavor, lemon, and more. Not for casual sipping—meant for real dehydration.

• Thorne Catalyte: NSF Certified, no nonsense, and created for athletes (or anyone who can’t with artificial sweeteners). Includes b vitamins and no cartoon mascot on the label.

• Other Electrolyte Powders: Shop smart by avoiding ones with a laundry list of random ingredients. Look for clear per serving breakdowns of key electrolytes and sugar.

• Electrolyte Tablets & Drops: If you hate powder mess, electrolyte tablets (like Nuun) or electrolyte drops (like Hi-Lyte) are just as easy to stash in your gym bag.

Flavor matters, let’s be honest: There’s a flavor for every palate. Grapefruit salt, pink lemonade, fruit punch, orange salt, raspberry flavor, berry flavor, even chocolate salt (for real). And if you’re feeling wild, try a new flavor option each week. I personally just steer clear if anything tastes, ahem, suspiciously like Flintstones chewables.

Coach Brittany Morgon Pick
High-Quality Supplements

Not all supplements are created equal—and I don’t recommend many. These are evidence-based for their intended use and come from companies that prioritize third-party testing, transparency, and quality. If it didn’t pass my nerdy deep dive and personal use test, it’s not on this list.

Shop the List

This post contains affiliate links. I may earn from qualifying purchases.

Whole-Food Sources and the Case for Real Food

Hate powders? You can get primary electrolyte intake from food.

Potassium/Key electrolytes: Bananas, potatoes, tomato juice, and avocado

Magnesium: Spinach, pumpkin seeds, dark chocolate (it counts)

Sodium/Chloride: Salted nuts, pickles, olives, “citrus salt” on roast veggies

Don’t sleep on milk or coconut water. Both are naturally rich in essential minerals, making them excellent for hydration status. And a quality meal with a sprinkle of salt works wonders for fluid balance and electrolyte intake (sometimes better than plain water which is controversial, but true).

DIY: Your Own Electrolyte Drink Mix That (Gasp) Works

Wanna feel like a hydration scientist and keep your money? Here’s a basic mix with no MLM upcharge:

DIY Basic Recipe:

• 1 cup water (hot, cold, or even sparkling, if you’re feeling fancy)

• 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut water

• 1/3 teaspoon of salt

• The juice from 1/2 a lemon or lime (or about 1 Tbsp)

• 2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey (optional, but sugar does help electrolyte absorption)

This recipe gives you a drink with a similar nutrition profile to Liquid IV but it costs pennies per serving.

Choosing the Best Electrolyte Powder (Without the MLM Vibe)

1. Read the Label, Always: Look for detailed breakdowns of essential electrolytes per serving. If a brand hides behind vague ingredients, move on.

2. Check Sugar Content: Some “hydration drinks” are sneakily loaded with sugar. A little added sugar is sometimes okay (faster absorption during endurance events), but you don’t want Kool-Aid vibes at your 9am staff meeting.

3. Skip Artificial BS: Say no to artificial sweeteners, artificial flavors, and powders that taste like they’re covering up a crime scene (overly sweet is not the goal).

4. Match Your Needs: If you’re managing high blood pressure, keep tabs on sodium content and sodium intake. For daily sipping, try lower-sodium or electrolyte tablets.

Here’s how a few stack up:

Note how the MLM options are twice the price, half the impact, and a bucket of marketing drama. No thank you.

No More MLM Kool-Aid

You are not missing out on some miraculous powder sold through DM pitches and awkward Facebook groups. Proper hydration and electrolyte replenishment are about having a hydration strategy, not subscriptions based in FOMO. Consider this your permission slip to ditch the electrolyte powders filled with "proprietary" fairy dust.Consider whether this supplement truly meets a need and opt for electrolyte mixes formulated with science in mind.

Stay salty, my friends (the sodium kind), and go drink a glass of water before clicking "Add to Cart" on these supplements. Your body will thank you.