The LMNT Controversy

[Orweller]

LMNT is a famous brand of electrolytes that built their brand on a promise of “No Sugar” and “No Dodgy ingredients”

But recently it was exposed that LMNT actually includes maltodextrin, a high glycemic index sugar.

After one co-founder mistakenly said that the protein contains “No Maltodextrin,” is was later clarified that - despite not being listed among the ingredients - there was 4 mg of maltodextrin, which is so minuscule as to be likely physiologically irrelevant.

The reason this maltodextrin wasn’t included in the ingredients is that the small amount functioned as a “flavor carrier,” and was thus subsumed in the “Natural Flavors” item of the ingredient list.

https://staycuriousmetabolism.substack.com/p/lmnt-scandal-what-you-need-to-know

I know it's been a while since this happened but what are your thoughts? I just watched a video by Ken Berry and Nick Norwitz talking to one of the founders of LMNT. While I myself do not care about maltodextrin, I do care about the omission by the company of the controversial additive.  

[Scott F.]

The amount would not bother me as much as thinking it was 'intentional' as just the word "maltodextrin" would hurt sales. 

When I am looking for something 'sugar free' I'm expecting 'sugar free' not sugar slipped in as 'flavor carrier'. 

I would have been one of the duped customers if I thought it tasted good when I first tried it as an electrolyte boost. For me, it simply didn't taste good.

Maybe RFK Jr. will get all this corrected? LOL 

Scott

[Orweller]

42 minutes ago, Scott F. said:

The amount would not bother me as much as thinking it was 'intentional' as just the word "maltodextrin" would hurt sales. 

When I am looking for something 'sugar free' I'm expecting 'sugar free' not sugar slipped in as 'flavor carrier'. 

I would have been one of the duped customers if I thought it tasted good when I first tried it as an electrolyte boost. For me, it simply didn't taste good.

Maybe RFK Jr. will get all this corrected? LOL 

Scott

I agree. Especially when your audience is specifically looking for products that are carb or sugar free. We must again remember that food labels are a legal disclaimer. We know that whole grain bread is not really whole grain because FDA allowed it. I suspect this will be addressed by RFK Jr. but on the other side, I see it when I believe it.  

[Miranda]

That's why it's best to avoid any thing with too many ingredients.

[Orweller]

1 hour ago, Miranda said:

That's why it's best to avoid any thing with too many ingredients.

I only use these electrolyte powders when working in the yard in the sun and sweating. It's an emergency item for me. They cost way too much, and they're simply not needed most of the time. I get a sugar free one from Walmart, I am sure there is dodgy stuff in there too. But it doesn't cost me my left arm. 

If you're charging that much money for a product, and claim to be free of undesirable additives, it's imperative that you then list each ingredient that goes in said product. 

It's the main reason I just use supplements, and even then I am not zealous about them. Except for Iodine, I do take that religiously.  

[Geezy]

It’s been a touchy subject for LMNT. 
From my understanding the amount that was in their formula was very minuscule and was not going to be a factor in anyone’s diet but the company that was making it for them was putting too much in the formula. They were having their product independently tested when it was discovered and they made it known publicly that they had messed up. That speaks well to their integrity. 
When I was using LMNT I only used the plain version so it never should have affected me as it was only in their flavored versions. 

[Scott F.]

I didn't read the article but there is a sports drink called PRIME that is in a similar boat.

I have been straight water for a couple months now. The first three or four I used flavor packets that were probably similar to LMNT. The Food Lion brand Pink Lemonade hade a listing for zero sugar. I am sure the "SUGAR" was slid in with a different name and maybe the amounts were minuscule as well, but I am sure they are present.

Scott

[Orweller]

7 minutes ago, Scott F. said:

I didn't read the article but there is a sports drink called PRIME that is in a similar boat.

I have been straight water for a couple months now. The first three or four I used flavor packets that were probably similar to LMNT. The Food Lion brand Pink Lemonade hade a listing for zero sugar. I am sure the "SUGAR" was slid in with a different name and maybe the amounts were minuscule as well, but I am sure they are present.

Scott

Some flavors of Prime has been taken from the shelves in some EU countries. The difference between LMNT and Prime is, that Prime is garbage. LMNT is really not that bad of a product, but the problem is, their marketing was dishonest, and that is where Prime and LMNT and a host of other companies are very similar. 

[ol_hilly]

I watched Ken Barry's vid about that as well.... I never bought any of it. Though I did copy their recipe they have posted as well as Doc Berry and Old Guy Carnivore's to compare. Never figured I would use enough to warrant buying powders in bulk. Last summer I mixed some, crushing daily supplement doses and mixing in water for them really hot days outside. I figure that'll be good enough for me and lots cheaper. 

[Jamie Henry Brown]

For me, it's not the fact that they have a mere 4mg.

It's the fact they hid it.

I never used them but I knew they were massive in the fasting/ketogenic spaces.

I'd imagine if one was fasting that 4mg might break the fast. 

It's deceptive.

And that company has lost all trust from me and probably alot of other keto/carnivore/fasting folks.

[Orweller]

35 minutes ago, Jamie Henry Brown said:

For me, it's not the fact that they have a mere 4mg.

It's the fact they hid it.

I never used them but I knew they were massive in the fasting/ketogenic spaces.

I'd imagine if one was fasting that 4mg might break the fast. 

It's deceptive.

And that company has lost all trust from me and probably alot of other keto/carnivore/fasting folks.

Good point. Most of us got here because we were lied to, to begin with. 

[Miranda]

Any type of sweet taste in a  beverage will impact a fast because of the cephalic phase insulin response. 

[Dixiewrecked]

The best electrolyte powder that I have seen is Dr Berg's.  It has 1 gram of potassium, and 120mg of magnesium. Not much sodium but you can just add .your own himilayan. Put in a drop of lugols and you have a really good drink.

LMNT has 1 gram of sodium, 200mg Potassium, and 60mg magnesium.  That potasssium amount is bascially negligible.  The product is just not a good value as its basically just saltwater.

[Orweller]

18 hours ago, Dixiewrecked said:

The best electrolyte powder that I have seen is Dr Berg's.  It has 1 gram of potassium, and 120mg of magnesium. Not much sodium but you can just add .your own himilayan. Put in a drop of lugols and you have a really good drink.

LMNT has 1 gram of sodium, 200mg Potassium, and 60mg magnesium.  That potasssium amount is bascially negligible.  The product is just not a good value as its basically just saltwater.

It's why I just favor separate supplements, which I take as I need. 

[ketomonster]

On 11/16/2024 at 5:48 PM, Geezy said:

It’s been a touchy subject for LMNT. 
From my understanding the amount that was in their formula was very minuscule and was not going to be a factor in anyone’s diet but the company that was making it for them was putting too much in the formula. They were having their product independently tested when it was discovered and they made it known publicly that they had messed up. That speaks well to their integrity. 
When I was using LMNT I only used the plain version so it never should have affected me as it was only in their flavored versions. 

same thing happened to blue buffalo dog food,  people contracted to make it, took some short cuts