Is LMNT Just Table Salt? The Electrolyte Truth Revealed

November 21, 2025 •

3 min read

LMNT has a bold 'More Salt, Not Less' mantra, leading many to wonder: is LMNT just table salt? While both contain sodium chloride, the key differences lie in LMNT's specific electrolyte ratio and additional clean ingredients.

Quick Summary

Explore the distinct differences between LMNT and table salt, including their sourcing, mineral content, and purpose for hydration. LMNT provides a specific ratio of sodium, potassium, and magnesium, unlike simple table salt. It's a sugar-free, specialty electrolyte mix.

Key Points

Sourcing and Purity: LMNT uses high-purity salt from deep underground deposits, extracted via a refined evaporated process, unlike the heavily processed nature of standard table salt.
Balanced Electrolyte Mix: LMNT provides a specific ratio of 1000mg sodium, 200mg potassium, and 60mg magnesium per serving, while table salt contains only sodium chloride.
Strategic Ratio: The 5:1 sodium-to-potassium ratio in LMNT is designed to replenish electrolytes lost by active people and those on low-carb diets, not simply for general seasoning.
Clean Ingredients: Unlike traditional sports drinks, LMNT is sugar-free and avoids artificial ingredients, relying on natural flavors and stevia leaf extract.
Purpose-Driven Hydration: LMNT is formulated for targeted hydration, addressing specific electrolyte needs often neglected when relying on regular dietary salt or sugary sports drinks.
Not a Direct Substitute: Adding table salt to water does not replicate the precise electrolyte balance and other ingredients found in LMNT for optimal hydration and performance.

LMNT vs. Table Salt: Sourcing and Composition

At first glance, the two may seem similar, but a deeper look at their composition and sourcing reveals important distinctions. Table salt is heavily processed and refined, often containing anti-caking agents and sometimes fortified with iodine. LMNT, on the other hand, sources its sodium chloride from deep underground salt deposits in Kansas, which are considered particularly pure. This salt is extracted via an evaporated manufacturing process to ensure a high-purity product. This contrasts with standard table salt, which undergoes a refining process that can strip it of trace minerals.

The Electrolyte Balance

Beyond sodium, the most significant difference lies in LMNT's formulation, which includes potassium and magnesium. Table salt is simply sodium chloride. These additional electrolytes play critical roles in bodily functions, especially for those with high activity levels, following a low-carb diet, or in hot climates. A single stick of LMNT contains 1000 mg sodium, 200 mg potassium, and 60 mg magnesium, a carefully formulated ratio designed to replace electrolytes lost through sweat.

Why the Ratio Matters

The specific 5:1 sodium-to-potassium ratio in LMNT is intentional. According to the company, active individuals and those on low-carb or fasting diets lose more sodium, making this higher ratio beneficial for replenishing lost electrolytes and supporting the body's sodium-potassium pump. This pump is vital for everything from muscle contractions to nerve signaling. Inactive people on standard diets may not need this level of sodium, so the high amount is a key differentiator.

The Additives: More Than Just Salt

LMNT also includes clean, supplementary ingredients for flavor and other benefits, which table salt lacks. Depending on the flavor, ingredients like citric acid, magnesium malate, natural flavors, and stevia leaf extract are added. Many traditional sports drinks are loaded with sugar and artificial ingredients, but LMNT provides these flavors without the added sugar, making it a popular choice for those on keto or paleo diets. Its ingredient transparency, or "no dodgy ingredients" policy, is a selling point for many health-conscious consumers.

LMNT vs. Table Salt: Comparison Table


Feature	LMNT Electrolyte Mix	Table Salt (Standard)
Sourcing	High-purity salt deposits in Kansas, extracted via evaporated process.	Widely sourced, typically heavily processed, and refined.
Electrolyte Content	Balanced ratio of 1000 mg Sodium, 200 mg Potassium, and 60 mg Magnesium.	Primarily Sodium Chloride (approx. 2300 mg sodium per teaspoon).
Additional Minerals	Contains magnesium malate and potassium chloride.	Lacks additional essential electrolytes. May contain added iodine.
Additives	Natural flavors, stevia leaf extract, citric acid.	Anti-caking agents, iodine (in iodized salt).
Sugar	Zero sugar.	Zero sugar.
Intended Use	Optimal hydration for athletes, low-carb diets, and high sweaters.	General cooking, seasoning food.

LMNT's Purpose for Hydration

LMNT was developed to address a gap in the market for a high-sodium, sugar-free electrolyte option. The founders, including Robb Wolf, observed that many individuals on low-carb diets or engaging in intense exercise experienced electrolyte deficiencies. These diets can cause the kidneys to excrete sodium at an increased rate, necessitating higher intake. LMNT provides a convenient and effective way to replenish these specific mineral losses, helping to prevent symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and muscle cramps. Unlike relying solely on table salt, LMNT ensures the correct balance of key electrolytes, which is difficult to achieve by simply adding more salt to food.

Conclusion

To conclude, LMNT is not simply table salt. While sodium chloride is a core component, LMNT is a formulated, high-purity electrolyte drink mix that strategically balances sodium with potassium and magnesium to support optimal hydration for active individuals, low-carb dieters, and heavy sweaters. It avoids the sugars and artificial ingredients found in many sports drinks and is sourced with a focus on purity. Table salt, while essential for seasoning, lacks the specific electrolyte ratio and clean formulation of LMNT, making it an inadequate substitute for targeted hydration. The distinction is about purpose and comprehensive mineral replenishment versus simple flavor enhancement.

For more information on the specific science behind LMNT's formulation, you can explore the Science section on the LMNT website.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main difference is LMNT's specific formulation, which includes sodium, potassium, and magnesium in a balanced ratio, along with natural flavors and sweeteners. Table salt is just sodium chloride, with none of the other essential electrolytes found in LMNT.

Yes, LMNT's salt is sourced from high-purity, ancient salt deposits in Kansas and is produced using an evaporation process. This contrasts with the typical refining methods used for common table salt, which can strip it of trace minerals.

Adding table salt provides sodium, but it will not give you the specific balance of potassium and magnesium found in LMNT. The overall hydration and physiological benefits of LMNT's electrolyte ratio cannot be replicated by using only table salt.

LMNT's high sodium content (1000mg per packet) is designed for individuals who lose a lot of sodium through sweat, such as athletes, or those on low-carb diets, which increase sodium excretion. The high dose is intended to help replenish these losses effectively.

Yes, LMNT is sugar-free. It uses stevia leaf extract for sweetness and does not contain the added sugars, artificial flavors, or artificial colors common in many other sports drinks.

Individuals who are not very active, eat a diet high in processed foods, have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, or are sodium-sensitive should speak to their doctor before using LMNT due to its high sodium content.

Yes, each packet of LMNT contains 200mg of potassium and 60mg of magnesium, in addition to the 1000mg of sodium. These minerals are vital for nerve function, muscle contractions, and fluid balance.