Electrolyte watchlist
8 electrolyte supplements compared by sodium, potassium, magnesium content, sugar, osmolality, price, and heavy metal contamination. Data from ingredient labels, Prop 65 filings, and independent lab testing.
Evidence-based watchlist, not COA-verified ranking
Alternative Health trust rule: any electrolyte product without a public, downloadable COA or equivalent product-level lab report is automatically docked 50 points and cannot enter the COA-verified tier. The products on this page are ordered using the best public evidence we could find -- certifications, investigative testing, regulatory filings, and independent lab summaries -- but they are not treated as full COA-backed products like the bottled water rankings.
LMNT lead contamination
LMNT had a California Prop 65 violation filed against it in April 2021 for lead exceeding the 0.5 ug/day maximum in Orange Salt and Chocolate Salt flavors. In November 2024, Lead Safe Mama independently confirmed lead in the Raw Unflavored variant. LMNT is scored at 90 by Oasis with no mention of lead. Redmond Re-Lyte uses Redmond Real Salt, which tested at 0.66 ug lead per teaspoon (ABNRF study).
Nuun Sport
$0.75/srvSodium
300mg
Potassium
150mg
Magnesium
25mg
Sugar
1g
Osmolality
Hypotonic
Lead Status
No dataLow sugar, balanced minerals, tablet format. No known heavy metal testing issues. Most affordable option.
Drip Drop ORS
$1.20/srvSodium
330mg
Potassium
185mg
Magnesium
39mg
Sugar
8g
Osmolality
Isotonic
Lead Status
No dataDeveloped by a doctor. Isotonic formula for optimal absorption. Used in medical settings. WHO-based formulation.
Pedialyte
$1.00/srvSodium
370mg
Potassium
280mg
Magnesium
0mg
Sugar
6g
Osmolality
Isotonic
Lead Status
No dataMedical-grade rehydration. Isotonic. No magnesium. Established safety record for children.
Vitalyte
$0.60/srvSodium
135mg
Potassium
193mg
Magnesium
0mg
Sugar
16g
Osmolality
Isotonic
Lead Status
No dataEndurance athlete formula since 1972. Higher sugar for energy. Isotonic absorption.
Liquid IV
$1.50/srvSodium
500mg
Potassium
370mg
Magnesium
0mg
Sugar
11g
Osmolality
Hypertonic
Lead Status
No dataHighest potassium. Uses Cellular Transport Technology. Hypertonic (slower absorption). Popular for hangovers.
Redmond Re-Lyte
$1.10/srvSodium
810mg
Potassium
400mg
Magnesium
75mg
Sugar
0g
Osmolality
Hypertonic
Lead Status
Redmond salt sourceUses Redmond Real Salt (tested positive for lead at 0.66 ug/tsp by ABNRF). High sodium. Zero sugar. Clean label.
LMNT
$2.00/srvSodium
1000mg
Potassium
200mg
Magnesium
60mg
Sugar
0g
Osmolality
Hypertonic
Lead Status
Detected (Lead Safe Mama + Prop 65)Prop 65 violation filed April 2021 for lead in Orange and Chocolate Salt flavors. Independent testing confirmed lead in Raw Unflavored (Nov 2024). Most expensive. Highest sodium.
Gatorlyte
$1.80/srvSodium
490mg
Potassium
350mg
Magnesium
0mg
Sugar
12g
Osmolality
Isotonic
Lead Status
No dataGatorade's premium rehydration line. Isotonic. No magnesium. Established brand.
Common questions
Does LMNT contain lead?
Yes. LMNT Raw Unflavored tested positive for lead in independent third-party testing by Lead Safe Mama (November 2024). In April 2021, the Environmental Research Center filed a California Prop 65 violation against LMNT for lead in their Orange Salt and Chocolate Salt flavors exceeding the 0.5 ug/day maximum. LMNT states they test every batch and comply with Prop 65 limits, but independent testing has found detectable lead.
Which electrolyte has the most sodium?
LMNT leads with 1000mg sodium per serving, roughly double the next highest (Liquid IV at 500mg). This is by design -- LMNT targets low-carb and keto dieters who lose more sodium. For most people, 300-500mg per serving is sufficient. More sodium is not inherently better and can be harmful for those with hypertension.
Are sugar-free electrolytes better?
Not necessarily. Sugar (glucose) activates the SGLT1 cotransporter in the small intestine, which pulls sodium and water across the intestinal wall faster than sodium alone. This is why the WHO oral rehydration solution contains glucose. Sugar-free electrolytes rely on passive absorption, which is slower. For medical rehydration, glucose-containing formulas are more effective. For daily supplementation, sugar-free is fine.
What is osmolality and why does it matter?
Osmolality measures the concentration of dissolved particles in a solution. Isotonic solutions (~270-300 mOsm/L) match blood plasma and absorb fastest. Hypotonic solutions (<270) absorb quickly with less GI stress. Hypertonic solutions (>300) absorb slower and can cause GI discomfort. LMNT and Liquid IV are hypertonic; Drip Drop and Pedialyte are isotonic.
Data sources
Ingredient data -- from manufacturer labels and product pages.
Lead Safe Mama -- independent lab testing of LMNT Raw Unflavored (November 2024).
California Prop 65 -- Environmental Research Center notice of violation against LMNT Elemental Labs (April 2021, case 2021-00819).
ABNRF Salt Study -- Redmond Real Salt lead data (0.66 ug/tsp), relevant to Re-Lyte which uses Redmond salt.