You've just ordered a box of Liquid I.V. Before mixing the first packet, turn over the packaging. Read the list of ingredients.

• Potassium citrate
• Sodium citrate
• Dipotassium phosphate
• Silicon dioxide
• Five added synthetic vitamins

Fifteen ingredients in total for one electrolyte packet.

A search for a natural alternative to Liquid I.V. in Canada mostly brings up American rankings that recycle the same supplement brands. No Quebec options, no unique and recognizable ingredients.

Maple MC2 is the natural alternative to Liquid I.V. made in Quebec.

What Liquid I.V. really contains

Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier comes in 16g packets to be diluted in 500 mL of water, exactly the same format as MC2.

Per packet:

• 45 kcal
• 11 g carbohydrates, including 11 g sugars (cane sugar and dextrose)
• 500 mg sodium
• 370 mg potassium
• 5 added synthetic vitamins: C, B3, B5, B6, B12

The rest of the list is used to stabilize the powder and transport the electrolytes: citric acid, potassium citrate, sodium citrate, dipotassium phosphate, silicon dioxide as an anti-caking agent, and stevia extract for sweetness.

Unlike Gatorade Zero or Powerade Zero, Liquid I.V. does not use artificial sweeteners. That deserves recognition.

What each ingredient actually does

Potassium citrate and sodium citrate are the two forms that provide the majority of the product's electrolytes. They are alkaline salts commonly used in the food industry to transport sodium and potassium in a stable form.

Dipotassium phosphate acts as an additional electrolyte and buffering agent. It is generally recognized as safe (GRAS status) by American authorities.

Some nutritional sources note that high cumulative consumption of added phosphates, from all dietary sources, can hinder calcium and iron absorption, a relevant factor especially for heavy consumers of processed foods.

Silicon dioxide serves solely as an anti-caking agent, in minuscule quantities. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded in 2024 that this ingredient does not raise safety concerns at reported use levels.

The five added vitamins (C, B3, B5, B6, B12) do not come from a whole food. They are synthesized separately and then dosed to reach precise targets: up to 280% of the daily value for B12 and 230% for B5.

These are water-soluble vitamins: the excess is normally eliminated in urine, and Liquid I.V. remains far from the thresholds associated with adverse effects in scientific literature, which concern prolonged mega-doses of supplements over several months, not an occasional packet.

It's still a dietary supplement approach. Not that of a whole food.

Liquid I.V. also comes in a sugar-free version (White Peach, Mango Pineapple, Popsicle Firecracker). These variants replace cane sugar with other sweeteners, with a different nutritional profile. This article compares the regular version, the best-selling one in Canada.

(Sources: liquid-iv.ca, efsa.europa.eu)

Why Liquid I.V.'s sodium is so high

500 mg of sodium per packet is almost double that of MC2.

This is no coincidence. Liquid I.V. is formulated to approach the World Health Organization's standards for oral rehydration solutions, designed for rapid rehydration in cases of illness, jet lag, or hangovers.

It's a good tool for these specific situations. But it's not the same as a drink designed for training or moderate daily use.

(Source: healthline.com/nutrition/liquid-iv-reviews)

"Natural" alternatives found online and their limitations

Search "natural alternative to Liquid I.V." and you'll find the same rankings, again and again.

• LMNT, Nuun, Vega Sport: American brands, rarely cheaper
• Dissolvable tablets rather than mixable packets
• No mention of a brand made in Canada

Some of these brands rely on salt alone, without carbohydrates. Others add their own list of synthetic minerals to compensate. The problem remains the same: several ingredients added separately to replicate what a single source could provide.

These options may be valid. But none come from here, and none rely on a single recognizable ingredient to provide both energy and electrolytes.

Maple MC2, the natural alternative made in Quebec

Maple MC2 is an electrolyte packet based on organic maple syrup, produced in Saint-Ours, Montérégie.

Four ingredients: maple syrup, salt, freeze-dried fruits, natural flavors.

Per packet:

• 110 kcal
• 28 g carbohydrates, from maple syrup
• 273 mg sodium
• 94 mg potassium
• 47 mg calcium
• No added vitamins, no coloring

One packet dissolves in 500 mL of water, like Liquid I.V. Three flavors exist: Maple, Maple-Blueberry, and Maple-Peach.

Maple syrup does the job that Liquid I.V. distributes among about fifteen different ingredients: providing carbohydrates AND electrolytes, from a single source.

It's not a chemical accident. Raw maple sap is 98% water. Syrup is that same water concentrated by evaporation, with its natural minerals preserved in the process.

The packets are made at Ferme St-Ours, in Montérégie. A family sugar bush, not a factory belonging to a multinational corporation.

Comparison table: Liquid I.V. vs Maple MC2

Liquid I.V. data: liquid-iv.ca and healthline.com. Liquid I.V. price also verified on well.ca. 

How Liquid I.V. compares to other electrolyte drinks

Liquid I.V. is not the only option on the Canadian market. Here's how it compares to other well-known brands.

Two observations stand out. First, Liquid I.V. has the highest sodium in the group, consistent with its rapid rehydration formulation. Second, none of the four competing brands are made in Canada, and none rely on a single ingredient to provide both carbohydrates and electrolytes. Nuun comes close with moderate sodium, but its 4g of carbohydrates remain far from the energy needs of sustained effort.

(Sources: gatorade.ca, coca-cola.com/ca/fr, nuunlife.ca)

Who should choose what between Liquid I.V. and Maple MC2

Liquid I.V. remains relevant in certain cases.

• You're returning from a trip or have jet lag
• You're recovering from a stomach bug or a hangover
• You want a boost of vitamins in addition to electrolytes

Maple MC2 is a better fit if:

• You train regularly and are looking for a real carbohydrate intake
• You prefer a short, recognizable ingredient list
• You want a product made in Quebec, without unnecessarily added vitamins
• You drink an electrolyte drink several times a week, not just in emergencies

Liquid I.V.'s higher sodium is not a flaw in itself. It's a formulation choice for occasional, intense use. For regular use, more moderate sodium like that of MC2 makes more sense.

Both hydrate. Only one does so with a single sweetening ingredient: maple syrup.

Frequently Asked Questions

In summary

On one side: Liquid I.V., a brand owned by Unilever, with fifteen ingredients and five added synthetic vitamins. Gatorade, Powerade, and Nuun follow the same logic: several international brands, none made in Canada.

On the other side: Maple MC2, a natural alternative to Liquid I.V. made in Quebec, with four ingredients and a single source of carbohydrates and electrolytes, organic maple syrup.

Try the Maple flavor, the Maple-Peach, or discover all three with the Discovery Box.