We lab-tested several enhanced waters to see if they contained the compounds they claimed — and if they had any extra substances they shouldn’t.
By Jamie Beckman
Nothing is better than fruits and veggies to gain the nutrients your body needs. But vitamin-enhanced waters seem like a decent alternative: hydration and critical vitamins, such as B, C, and E, in one ready-to-drink package. The idea has certainly won over consumers: In the past year bottled waters containing vitamins or minerals had sales close to $1 billion. And yet, on closer examination, many of these drinks are high in calories, and they rarely provide more than 10 percent of your recommended daily serving of vitamins. To find out what’s really in some popular brands, we tapped Denver-based laboratory ChromaDex. The results* can help you determine what to grab for your specific nutritional needs.
Fruit20 Essentials (Peach Mango)
Tested higher than the label in: B1, B2
Tested low in: B5, E
Half the B5 it claims; no E
Best for: Aiding digestion. B1 produces hydrochloric acid, which helps break down food.
Calories per bottle: 0
Evaporation test: According to the company, the total dissolved solids (TDS) should be 2 1/2 grams, but the test found 7. “What is the other stuff?” asks tester and ChromaDex CEO Frank Jaksch. It could be anything from flavoring to dirt.
Verdict: Zero calories is good, but the low levels of nutrients make it only slightly better than tap water.
Special K20 Protein Water (Mixed Berry)
Tested higher than the label in: B1, B2, B6
Tested low in: B3
No B3; label claims 20% RDA
Best for: Warding off viruses. B6 helps produce antibodies.
Calories per bottle: 50
Evaporation test: Tested at 40 grams of solids; label claims below 30.
Verdict: More vitamins than advertised, but an extra 10 grams of unidentified solids.
Snapple Antioxidant Water (Agave Melon)
Tested higher than the label in: B1, E
Tested low in: Nothing
Best for: Heart health. E may prevent LDL (“bad”) cholesterol from narrowing arteries.
Calories per bottle: 140
Evaporation test: Hits claim
Verdict: The label checks out, but overall, few vitamins.
VitaminWater 10 (Essential)
Tested higher than the label in: B1, B2, B5, B6, C, E
Tested low in: B3
Little B3; label claims 10% RDA
Best for: Shortening a cold. C might get you better faster.
Calories per bottle: 25
Evaporation test: Hits claim
Verdict: Best overall. Contains more vitamins than the others, and the TDS matches the claim.
SoBe LifeWater (Black and Blue Berry)
Tested higher than the label in: B1, B2, B5, B6, C, E
Tested low in: B3
3% RDA of B3; label claims 10%
Best for: Preventing headaches. New research shows that B2 may prevent migraines.
Calories per bottle: 0
Evaporation test: 3 grams under what the label claims
Verdict: Failed B3 tests but tested high in six vitamins, making it a clear second place.
Propel (Blueberry Pomegranate)
Tested higher than the label in: B1, B5, B6, C
Tested low in: B3, E18% RDA of B3, but label claims 25%; half the E it claims
Best for: Staying alert. A B1 deficiency can cause fatigue.
Calories per bottle: 20
Evaporation test: Hits claim
Verdict: Decent, but contains high-fructose corn syrup.
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*test results could vary as much as 10 percent.
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This article originally appeared in the October 2009 issue of Men’s Journal.
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October 26th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
High fructose corn syrup is simply a kind of corn sugar. It has the same number of calories as sugar and is handled the same by the body.
According to the American Dietetic Association, “high fructose corn syrup…is nutritionally equivalent to sucrose. Once absorbed into the blood stream, the two sweeteners are indistinguishable.”
High fructose corn syrup, sugar and honey all contain the same number of calories (four calories per gram).
Like table sugar and honey, high fructose corn syrup contains no artificial or synthetic ingredients or color additives.
As many dietitians agree, all sugars should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced lifestyle.
Consumers can see the latest research and learn more about high fructose corn syrup at http://www.SweetSurprise.com.
Audrae Erickson
President
Corn Refiners Association
[Reply]
Dr. Josh Axe Reply:
August 12th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
The point is to get away from sugars as much as possible. If you want to lose weight, and lose it fast, avoid sugars and high fructose corn syrup, and eat more veggies and fruits. Just because there’s “healthy” marketing associated with these drinks, doesn’t make them truly healthy or beneficial to drink.
[Reply]
Cool Springs Galleria Reply:
September 27th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
I am shocked that corn lobbyists are attempting to rename high fructose corn syrup as “corn sugar”. Smart Water, Vitamin Water and now recently a drink box by the name of “Honest Kids” should all be banned for misleading advertising. The Cool Springs Galleria even has Vitamin Water vending machines now. One would think deceptively naming products as such would be prohibited.
[Reply]
Windy Daley Reply:
August 7th, 2011 at 1:04 pm
To Audrae Erickson: High fructose corn syrup is not “simple,” but quite complex. As a corn refiner you should know this. HFCS is artificially synthesized from genetically altered corn (Frankencorn), that may have destroyed part of the environment and used up subsidy tax dollars in its creation and unnatural development.
Indirectly profiting from subsidy tax dollars, the corn refiners have spent millions of dollars to convince American mothers that it is perfectly okay to give their children that artificial red drink touted in their commercials. Audrae claims that Americans who choose to feed their children healthy foods are merely “confused, misled, and as stupid as the women on the commercials.”
Audrae Erickson, please let the American public know how much of that artificial red drink you personally consume and give to your children?
Check out the sponsors of the American Dietetic Association that Audrae loves to quote:
http://www.eatright.org/corporatesponsors/
If we give up high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, and processed fast foods, then our health will improve naturally. We, as Americans, do not want lobbyists telling us how to feed our children. We can say no to that artificial red drink and all it represents.
[Reply]
October 24th, 2011 at 6:02 am
Cool ideas. Does any of you tried Mio water enhancer before?
[Reply]
October 24th, 2011 at 6:04 am
does MIO water enhancer work?
[Reply]