Introduction
Electrolyte supplements are sold as **powders** (stick packs or scoop tubs) and **tablets** dissolved in water. This
guide explains practical and label differences between formats at a high level for label literacy. It does not
guarantee workout performance, hydration outcomes, or medical suitability.
Powder stick packs and tubs
**Stick packs** are pre-portioned powder sachets mixed into water. Phase 14C shortlist examples:
- **LMNT Citrus Salt** — 1 stick (~6 g) in 16–32 fl oz water; 1,000 mg sodium, 0 g sugar
- **Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier** — 1 stick (16 g) in ~16 fl oz water; 500 mg sodium, 11 g sugar
- **Ultima Replenisher** — 1 stick in water; 55 mg sodium, 0 g sugar
**Scoop tubs** require measuring powder per serving. **Thorne Catalyte** uses 1 scoop (10.4 g) in at least 12 fl oz
water — 485 mg sodium, <1 g sugar, with NSF Certified for Sport verification in Phase 14C research.
Stick packs are typically more portable than tubs but may produce more packaging waste. Tubs can offer lower per-serving
cost at bulk sizes but require scoop accuracy.
Dissolving tablets
**Nuun Sport Lemon Lime** (Phase 14C tablet example) uses **1 tablet (5 g)** dissolved in 16 fl oz water per serving.
Cited Nutrition Facts list 300 mg sodium, 150 mg potassium, 25 mg magnesium, 13 mg calcium, 40 mg chloride, and 1 g
sugar per tablet.
Tablets add a dissolve step and tube portability — useful for some travel contexts — but serving friction is higher
than tearing open a stick pack.
Electrolyte dose differences by format
Format does not determine mineral amounts — the label does. Among Phase 14C shortlist products:
| Product | Format | Sodium mg | Potassium mg | Magnesium mg |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| LMNT | Stick | 1,000 | 200 | 60 |
| Liquid I.V. | Stick | 500 | 370 | not disclosed |
| Ultima | Stick | 55 | 250 | 100 |
| Thorne Catalyte | Scoop tub | 485 | 96 | 40 |
| Nuun Sport | Tablet | 300 | 150 | 25 |
Compare mg per serving for the specific SKU — not the format category alone.
Sugar and sweetener differences
Powders and tablets can be sugar-free or sugar-containing:
- **Sugar-free examples:** LMNT and Ultima sticks (0 g sugars on cited panels)
- **Sugar-containing examples:** Liquid I.V. (11 g sugars), Nuun Sport (1 g sugar with dextrose)
- **Low-sugar scoop:** Thorne Catalyte (<1 g sugars)
Sweeteners include stevia on several sugar-free formulas and dextrose or cane sugar on sugar-containing products.
Price per serving
Format affects packaging economics. Phase 14C observed price per serving (2026-07-15):
- Nuun Sport tablet: **$0.75** (lowest in shortlist)
- Ultima stick: **$1.05**
- Thorne scoop: **$1.13**
- LMNT stick: **$1.50**
- Liquid I.V. stick: **$1.56**
Tablets are not automatically cheaper — but Nuun Sport was the lowest $/serving at the cited check. Verify current
retailer prices.
Water volume and practicality
Check each product's recommended water volume:
- Nuun Sport: 16 fl oz per tablet
- Liquid I.V.: ~16 fl oz per stick
- LMNT: 16–32 fl oz per stick (brand range)
- Thorne Catalyte: at least 12 fl oz per scoop
Dissolving tablets fully before drinking matters for even distribution. Powder sticks may clump if not stirred
adequately — follow package directions.
Label clarity
Nuun Sport discloses five electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, chloride) on cited Nutrition Facts —
strong transparency for a tablet format. Some stick products omit magnesium (Liquid I.V. US panel) or chloride as a
separate mg line.
Thorne Catalyte adds taurine, B vitamins, and other nutrients beyond core electrolytes — more complex formula
disclosure.
No performance guarantees
Nuun brand copy references workouts and rehydration themes. Thorne and Ultima reference daily hydration or recovery
positioning. SuppCheckr cites label facts only — not performance, cramp prevention, or dehydration treatment outcomes.
How SuppCheckr scores formats
The electrolytes scoring profile includes serving format practicality (`formulaQuality` weight) alongside dose
transparency and sugar/sweetener disclosure. Format alone does not determine SuppCheckr score — see the draft
comparison table.
Frequently asked questions
**Are tablets as strong as powder sticks?**
Mineral amounts depend on the specific product label, not the format. Compare mg per serving on Nutrition Facts.
**Is Nuun Sport a good tablet example?**
Nuun Sport is the Phase 14C tablet-format shortlist product with five-electrolyte disclosure on cited Nutrition Facts.
SuppCheckr does not rank it as best for any use case.
**Are scoop tubs less portable than sticks?**
Generally yes — tubs require carrying the container and a scoop. Single sticks and tablets are easier for travel.
**Do tablets contain more sugar than powders?**
Not necessarily. Nuun lists 1 g sugar; Liquid I.V. powder stick lists 11 g sugar. Read each label.