Find the serving size
A bottle may contain 100 capsules but define a serving as two. A tub may show a scoop while a stick is pre-portioned. All later numbers depend on this line.
Read sodium first
Sodium is often the largest electrolyte value in sweat-oriented products. Compare milligrams per serving and account for the number of servings you would actually use.
Check the supporting minerals
Record potassium, magnesium, calcium, and chloride separately. Their presence does not make products equivalent when their amounts differ substantially.
Separate sugar from format
Capsules are generally not a carbohydrate source. Powders vary: some list no sugar, some a small amount, and some deliberately include carbohydrates for fueling.
Normalize the comparison
Compare like with like: per capsule, per prepared bottle, or per litre. Never compare one product per capsule with another product per two-capsule serving without doing the arithmetic.
Read directions and warnings
The mixing volume, maximum suggested use, allergens, caffeine, and special warnings may matter more than the marketing copy on the front.
Example · manufacturer facts
Same category, different labels
Nuun's current US page lists one Sport tablet as a serving with 300 mg sodium, 150 mg potassium, 25 mg magnesium, 13 mg calcium, 40 mg chloride, and 1 g sugar. LMNT's current product page lists 1,000 mg sodium, 200 mg potassium, 60 mg magnesium, and no sugar per stick. We are not declaring either profile “better.” The numbers simply show why the intended use and full label matter.
Calculate the real cost
Price per container is weak shorthand. Use: container price ÷ total servings = cost per labelled serving. Then adjust for your actual use. Shipping, subscriptions, multipacks, and currency can change the result, so record the date when publishing a price comparison.
Claims we do not infer from a label
“Better recovery”
A mineral quantity alone does not prove a recovery outcome.
“Stops cramps”
Cramps have multiple possible contributors; packaging is not individual diagnosis.
“More is best”
A larger number is not automatically appropriate for every person or session.
Formulas and regional labels can change; use the package in your hand as the final product reference. This guide is educational and not medical advice. Seek qualified guidance for health conditions, medications, or prescribed dietary limits.