Do hydration multipliers really work? Oklahoma nurse breaks down the science

As triple-digit heat and outdoor activity increase across Oklahoma, so do sales of hydration multipliers like Liquid I.V., Noon, and Nectar Hydration. But are these popular packets worth the hype, and the price?

Nurse Madie Brown with the Oklahoma Heart Institute's Weight Loss and Wellness Center joined News On 6 at 4 p.m. to explain how they work and when you should use them.

How Do Hydration Multipliers Work?

The colorful packets might seem trendy, but there’s science behind them. Brown said the products help replenish important electrolytes lost through sweat.

“They’re going to be adding magnesium, sodium, chloride, and potassium in,” she said. “These are all minerals that you're going to lose when you're sweating excessively. These are minerals that are very important for the body. Helps maintain homeostasis.”

When Should You Use Them?

Brown said timing depends on your activity level.

“Technically you could use them before or after,” she said. “Most of the time you may get some benefits from doing them more so afterwards, but if you're doing long endurance races, exercises that are lasting more than an hour, you're out in the heat all day, you may want to use them while you're working out or doing these activities.”

Why Are These Minerals So Important?

It’s not just about staying hydrated; it’s about staying alive.

“Potassium is required to make sure that your heart is pumping correctly,” Brown said. “All of these minerals are going to be found in the cells of your body. And so if they're not at appropriate levels, we may run into issues like confusion. You may see patients having lethal arrhythmias. You may see somebody having comas.”

Can You Take Them Every Day?

While the drinks may taste good, Brown advised moderation.

“Sometimes too much of a good thing is not always a good thing,” she said. “With these hydration multipliers or you can call them electrolytes, you do want to make sure that you're aware of what chronic illnesses that you have or even acute illnesses.”

Brown recommended checking with your doctor if you're unsure.

“Typically, I suggest reading the back of the label and following the label for how much they say you can do a day,” she said. “But for the most part, if you're sweating extensively, if you're spending long amounts of time out in the sunshine, performing lots of strenuous activity, it will be okay if you use them.”