From time to time, I like to review products so I can make recommendations to my clientele. Today I will be comparing two products: LMNT Electrolyte Drink Mix and Vital Proteins Hydration + Collagen.
LMNT’s electrolyte powder is strictly an electrolyte supplement containing sodium, potassium, and magnesium, with no frills. It comes in multiple fruit flavors, chocolate, an unflavored option, and two flavors with heat (chili or habanero). Their product has zero sugar and is sweetened with stevia leaf extract. I have personally tried all the fruit flavors (citrus, grapefruit, orange, raspberry, watermelon) as well as the chocolate. I have not tried the unflavored one nor the ones with heat.
Vital Proteins is best known for their collagen supplements. However, they do have their Hydration + Collagen product, which contains sodium (sea salt), potassium, magnesium, calcium, collagen, some B-vitamins and vitamin C. It comes in two flavors: lemon lime and tropical blast. It is sweetened with a small amount of dextrose (sugar) and monk fruit extract. I have personally tried both flavors.
LMNT is a very good product. According to the package directions, you can adjust the amount of water you use. Obviously, the less water you use, the saltier tasting the drink will become. I mix one packet into 32 oz of water and typically only drink about 8 oz for every hour of physical exertion, adjusting as needed. Occasionally I will dissolve one packet into 24 oz of water, but never less than that so it is not intolerably salty. While I don’t much care for the chocolate flavor, I do like all five of the fruit flavors. They actually resemble the natural flavors of those fruits, without any undesirable artificial aftertaste. The order of my personal preference: citrus, grapefruit, orange, raspberry, watermelon.
As far as the Vital Proteins Hydration + Collagen product is concerned, it would be an understatement to call the product unpalatable. The powder mixed into water has a pleasant enough smell, but the taste is anything but pleasant. While the lemon lime was not particularly good, I found the tropical blast to be utterly unbearable. I am talking flat out choking and gagging disgusting. If you read the one star reviews of Hydration + Collagen on the Vital Proteins website, you will find many people echo my sentiment. Comments such as “there is just nothing on this scale of hideous”, “tastes like nasty gross medicine”, and “it felt like I was drinking gasoline” were among the contenders. I love Vital Proteins collagen gummies. But their electrolyte product is not even remotely worth it.
My verdict: I will keep my electrolytes and my collagen separated. LMNT for electrolytes and Vital Proteins gummies for collagen. Never the twain shall meet.