Surging consumer interest in hydration presents an opportunity for DryWater, a clean, real-fruit electrolyte and vitamin powder, as it primes to expand into 6,000 Walgreens locations just 18 months after launch.
More than 6,000 Walgreens locations will carry DryWater by the end of the year, with 2,000 already doing so as of early August. DryWater is already available at Walmart and has partnerships with more than 75 sporting and wellness events.
“The category has not been disrupted, and Walgreens wanted to get ahead of the clean, better-for-your-health [market trend], and partnered with DryWater,” says Bryan Appio, founder and CEO of DryWater.
Hydration has experienced +363.8% year-over-year search growth on TikTok, from August 2024 to July 2025, according to data provided by Spate. Searches are predicted to grow 95.1% into 2026. Related consumer search terms are all on the rise and include “water bottle,” “backpack,” “powder” and “packet.”
The top growing brands by search in this category are Liquid I.V., Taste Salud and Waterboy.
“I created DryWater to directly address the headaches and fatigue caused by dehydration – something I experienced firsthand,” says Appio.
How much water does the average consumer need?
Most people need four to six cups of water a day, per Harvard Medical School, which states that the exact number varies per person. Factors such as health conditions, medications, physical activity level and the temperature all affect a person’s water intake requirements.
Harvard states that many people, especially older adults, do not drink as much water as they need. Non-Hispanic Black adults, adults with lower income and education and adults with obesity also do not drink as much water as they need, according to the Center for Disease Control.
The American Heart Association states that while electrolytes are necessary, consumers should “not overdo it.” While AHA points out that many people do not get enough potassium, they might be over-consuming sodium, which is added to many processed foods.
Shaken, not stirred
Each DryWater stick contains six key electrolytes and minerals (1000mg potassium, calcium, chloride, magnesium, sodium and zinc) as well as five essential vitamins (vitamins C, B3, B5, B6 and B12), plus one vital amino acid (Glycine).
The products are made from real fruits, such as organic bananas and organic coconut water, and are vegan, gluten-free and non-GMO. Flavors include mixed berry, lemon lime, peach mango and raspberry lemon. DryWater also sells a glass shaker and a leak-proof water bottle.
“We start with non-GMO fruits and gently dehydrate them into a soluble dry powder that keeps those benefits intact,” says Appio. “It’s how we deliver real nutrition your body can recognize and use – and it’s core to our promise: absolutely nothing artificial, ever.”
Appio says he believes that transparency and ingredient integrity drive customer loyalty. By focusing on taste and natural clean ingredients, he says founders should only put out products that they would drink themselves, in response to the target audience’s real needs.
One five-star review of the DryWater lemon lime stick on the Walmart site reads: “Best hydration stick on the market. Tastes the best and actually works. Not salty. Real fruit that you can actually see.”
“The future of food and beverage is clean, transparent and functional,” says Appio. “Consumers want products that actually support their health and wellness.”
