Sodium-Free Water Flavoring To Boost Your Water

Brands that offer sodium-free water flavorings also often have flavors that contain sodium, so check the nutritional label carefully. A zero-sodium water flavoring should say 0% DV sodium on its label.

While critical for health, too much sodium comes with many health risks. What’s more, Americans eat more than 3,400 milligrams (mg) of sodium each day  – which is well beyond the recommended sodium amount you’ll quickly see.

Ahead, find out the function and recommendations of sodium and how you can lower its intake as a conscious consumer. Plus, some of the best brands of water flavoring with no (or low in) sodium to quench your thirst! 

Sodium Intake Recommendations

Sodium is an important electrolyte and mineral that the body needs for normal muscle and nerve function.

Almost all water and some foods, like shellfish and dairy products, contain sodium naturally.

But we know salt is often added to food and drink products to improve their flavor or as a preservative. 

Sodium is often listed on packaging instead of salt, but salt is actually about 40% sodium and 60% chloride.

Even though we need this mineral in our diet, too much sodium can negatively impact our heart and overall health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests sodium intake from ultra-processed foods leads to

• High blood pressure
• Heart attack
• Stroke.

And because nearly 500,000 deaths each year are related to high blood pressure, reducing sodium intake could prevent thousands of deaths annually.

To lower the risks of too much sodium in the diet, the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends consuming no more than 2,300 mg a day. They also encourage an ideal limit of no more than 1,500 mg per day for most adults.

Sodium recommendations can also depend on other factors. For example:

• People who exercise a lot lose electrolytes through sweat and will often need more dietary sodium.

• People with congestive heart failure and kidney disease are often told to lower their sodium intake more than the general recommendation. 

Sodium reduction tips

We naturally take in sodium from good, wholesome foods and water, so the main concern is consuming excess sodium from processed foods.

• One simple way to reduce dietary sodium is by reducing your intake of processed foods.

• Another sure way to lower sodium intake is to avoid or reduce the amount of salt used in home cooking.

• A good trick is to swap salt with herbs, spices, and seasonings to boost the flavor while lowering sodium content. 

• Take advantage of food labels when grocery shopping too. On the Ingredients label, look for words like sodium nitrate, sodium citrate, monosodium glutamate (MSG), or sodium benzoate. Also on the Nutrition Facts label, go for low-sodium products with a %DV of 5 or less.

Be aware of sodium-related terms on food packages as well, including:

• Salt/Sodium-Free – Less than 5 mg of sodium per serving

• Very Low Sodium – 35 mg or less per serving

• Low Sodium – 140 mg or less per serving

• Reduced Sodium – At least 25% less sodium per serving than the usual sodium level

• Light in Sodium or Lightly Salted – At least 50% less sodium than the regular product

You can also apply these food labeling tips when searching for water flavorings. Avoid sports drinks and water enhancers with added electrolytes and sip on these brands of flavored water with no (or low in) sodium, too!

Water Flavoring With No (Or Low) Sodium

With the help of Amazon, we’ve rounded up some of the best brands of water flavoring that are sodium-free (or low in sodium). So quench your tastebuds, without increasing your sodium intake, with these satisfying water enhancers! 

1. Stur Liquid Water Enhancer

Stur liquid water enhancers are a sodium-free water enhancer option.

They are also naturally flavored, colored, and sweetened with fruit and vegetable juices and Stevia extracts.

Stur is famous for being started by a dad wanting his family to enjoy drinking more water. He made sure this product has as few additives in it as possible, to make it as healthy as could be.

Flavors: Blue and blackberry • Fruit punch • Lemonade • Pomegranate cranberry • Strawberry watermelon • Coconut pineapple

Pros:

• Naturally sweetened, colored, and flavored
• Makes 100, 8-oz flavored water drinks
• Can be used in many ways, including in sparkling water, smoothies, and yogurt
• Refund available if you aren’t satisfied with the product

Cons:

• Some complaints of a weak flavor and undesirable aftertaste 

2. H2wOw Water Enhancer Drops

H2wOw water enhancer drops do not contain sodium.

The uniquely invigorating flavors, including watermelon honeydew and lime ginger, are flavored and colored with fruit extracts and botanical essences—so fret not about artificial ingredients! 

Flavors: Lime ginger • Cucumber lemongrass • Lemon spearmint • Watermelon honeydew

Pros:

• 100% all-natural ingredients 
• Added mineral electrolytes to optimize hydration

Cons:

• While marginal, H2wOw contains calories and a touch of sugar from agave 

3. Jelly Belly Drink Mix

While a traditional calorie and sugar-laden favorite, Jelly Belly drink mixes change the hydration game without sodium.

Sip on your favorite Jelly Belly flavors without any unwanted calories. 

Flavors: Berry blue • Green apple • Very cherry • Tutti Frutti

Pros:

• No sugar unlike the traditional chewy candies
• Each flavor is naturally flavored with real fruit juice (usually grape)

Cons:

• Only comes in 4-pack, which might not be ideal for those solely wanting to try before committing 
• Sweetened with sucralose

4. ICEE Water Drops 

ICEE’s water drops are a “cool” way to stay hydrated with low to no sodium. Each flavor is also free of added calories and sugar.

Icee’s are more known for their slushies, but their water flavorings are just as full of flavor and make drinking water a little fun.

The Cherry flavor is the only one that is sodium-free. The Blue raspberry, Mango and Orange flavors have around 35mg of sodium per serve, or 2% daily value (DV).

Flavors: Blue raspberry • Cherry • Mango • Orange

Pros:

• Options either contain low to no sodium
• Available in four sugar-free flavors
• Provides ICEE experience at home or on the go

Cons: 

• Some flavor options do contain some sodium

5. SweetLeaf Liquid Stevia Flavoring

SweetLeaf’s liquid stevia is free of sodium. The many flavor drop options are also sweetened with natural ingredients, including organic stevia leaf extract. 

Flavors: Cinnamon • Chocolate • Raspberry • Coconut • Lemon • Berry

Pros:

• Free of carbs, sugars, aspartame, gluten, GMOs, potassium, and caffeine
• Can be used in water, plus oatmeal, smoothies, and yogurt 

Cons:

• The glass bottle water enhancer could be easier to break, especially while traveling 

6. SweetLeaf WaterDrops

SweetLeaf’s WaterDrops are free of sodium and artificial ingredients.

These drops don’t contain carbs and calories so you don’t have to factor it in your daily totals if you are managing your weight.

Flavors: Lemon-lime • Tropical punch • Mixed Berry • Strawberry kiwi • Raspberry lemonade • Peach Mango

Pros:

• Doesn’t contain artificial ingredients 
• Doesn’t contain calories, carbs, GMOs, or gluten
• 48 servings per bottle
• BPA-free squeeze bottle

Cons:

• Reports of being too sweet and not tasting their intended flavor

7. Crush Liquid Water Enhancer

Containing 40 mg of sodium per serving, Crush water enhancers are a low-sodium option.

Crush your cravings with several fruity flavors of these sugar-free and calorie-free water enhancer drops.

Flavors: Orange • Pineapple • Grape • Strawberry • Watermelon

Pros:

• Low-sodium option
• Free of calories, sugar, aspartame, and caffeine
• Offers a satisfaction, money-back guarantee 

Cons:

• Only options to purchase in bulk, which isn’t ideal if you just want to try it
• Does contain some sodium
• Contains citric acid (for some people this is a problem)

8. SPLENDA Liquid Water Enhancer Drops

SPLENDA water drops are free of sodium, as well as added sugar, carbs, and calories. Whether you enjoy mandarin orange or strawberry watermelon, the SPLENDA water drops are also naturally-flavored. 

These water flavoring drops are essentially concentrated juice, ready to make your water taste exciting and fresh.

Flavors: Mandarin orange • Strawberry watermelon • Sweet tea

Pros:

• Leak-proof flip-top cap for easy use and portability 
• 1 bottle provides 30 servings 

Cons:

• Some flavors contain red 40 and other food dyes

9. Kool-Aid Liquid Drink Mix

Kool-Aid liquid drink mixes do not contain sodium and are a sugar-free option sure to quench those childhood cravings! This pack comes in a variety of favorite flavors that you can relish while improving your hydration.

Flavors: Grape • Cherry • Tropical punch • Strawberry • Blue Raspberry • Watermelon 

Pros:

• No calories or sugar

Cons:

• Higher price point compared to other similar products
• Contains artificial coloring, like red 40
• Contains sucralose

10. Starburst Liquid Water Enhancer

Starburst liquid water enhancer has 40mg of sodium per serving, making them a low-sodium option.

The drops offer the candy flavor you love without any added calories and sugar – all while keeping you hydrated!

Flavors: Strawberry • Orange • Cherry

Pros:

• A low-sodium option
• Zero sugar and calories unlike traditional Starburst candies
• No unwrapping necessary – simply pop the top, squeeze, and enjoy

Cons:

• Powder option available but does contain marginal calories
• Does contain some sodium (around 2% DV)

11. Klass Aguas Frescas Water Enhancers

Klass Aguas Frescas water enhancers offer flavorful hydration without added sodium.

Select from various flavors without the worry of calories and aspartame as well. 

Flavors: Pineapple tangerine • Cucumber • Hibiscus berries • Pineapple • Strawberry watermelon

Pros:

• Free of aspartame and calories
• All fruity flavors made with natural ingredients like fruit pulp 
• Made with natural ingredients, including fruit pulp

Cons:

• Complaints about damaged and leaky bottles, although powder packets are also available

12. Great Value Energy Drink Mix Packets

Great Value energy drink mix packets do not contain any sodium.

Four fruity flavors are included in a variety pack, in which all lack added sugar and contain only 5 calories. 

Flavors: Dragon fruit • Acai blueberry • Wild strawberry • Pomegranate lemonade

Pros:

• Low-calorie and sugar option
• Offers 120mg of caffeine per packet (some may consider a con)

Cons:

• Powder may not mix as easily as liquid water drops
• Does contain caffeine, so avoid or limit if lowering caffeine intake

13. MiO Water Enhancers 

MiO water enhancers offer sodium-free, quick-dissolving water flavoring in many flavors.

The liquid water drink mix is easily portable so you can enjoy sugar-free, zero-calorie hydration on the go.

Just be careful to get the original, or some of the Energy flavors are also okay, but most of the Sport and some of the Vitamin varieties may contain sodium.

Flavors: Strawberry watermelon • Energy black cherry • Blue citrus • Tropical fusion • Berry pomegranate

Pros:

• Free of sodium, sugar, and calories
• Quickly dissolves and mixes in water
• Added B vitamins
• Some caffeinated flavors

Cons:

• MiO also offers a “sport” variety, which contains sodium and other electrolytes, so consumers should purchase with caution if lowering or avoiding sodium 

14. Wyler’s Light Singles to Go Caffeinated Drink Mix

Containing 25mg of sodium per serving, Wyler’s Light water flavoring packets are a very low-sodium option.

The packets also offer caffeine and a mere 5 calories. 

Flavors: Strawberry punch • Totally tropic 

Pros:

• Very low-sodium option
• Offers 60 mg caffeine per packet (some consumers may see this as a con)
• Free of sugar and gluten
• Supplies vitamin C

Cons:

• Some reports the powder does not dissolve well
• Contains caffeine so purchase and consume with this in mind