Is such a thing possible?  Sure…if the water in question is “Vitamin Water.”  Despite the sophisticated-looking bottles and claims that “…each one of our grab-health-by-the-horns varieties offers a unique blend of nutrients…” the reality is that it’s just “value added” sugar water.  You get a few random vites and electrolytes for show, but that’s about it.  It’s just another “dysfunctional food” that serves more as a source of calories than nutrition.

Let’s take a look at the ingredients and nutritional info, shall we?

Vapor distilled, deionized water and/or reverse osmosis water, crystalline fructose, citric acid, monopotassium phosphate (electrolyte), ascorbic acid (vitamin C), natural flavor, dipotassium phosphate (electrolyte), magnesium lactate (electrolyte), gum acacia, calcium lactate (electrolyte), niacin (B3), ester gum, pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine hydrochloride (B6), b-carotene (color) cyanocobalamin (B12)

Nutrition Facts:
Serving size: 8 fl oz, Servings per container: 2.5; Amount per serving: Calories: 50; Total fat: 0g, Sodium: 0mg; Potassium: 60mg; Total carbohydrates: 13g; Sugar: 13g; Protein: 0g; Vitamin C: 40%; Vitamin B3: 20%; Vitamin B6: 20%; Vitamin B12: 20%; Vitamin B5: 20%; Potassium: 150mg per bottle

Now the thing to look at is the servings…there are 2.5 servings in one bottle.  But do you know anyone who who actually pours out exactly 8 oz. of the stuff?  Me neither: anyone who buys a bottle small enough to hold in their hand typically drinks the whole thing.  13 grams of sugar (fructose) doesn’t sound like so much when you’re talking about a single serving, but it’s roughly 1 tablespoon…multiply that by 2.5 and it comes to 32.5 grams…more sugar than than a bar of Hershey’s Milk Chocolate (22 g).  In return, you get modest amounts of 5 vitamins (out of a total of 13) and about as much potassium as a 1/4 cup of orange juice provides.

There’s less sugar (12 g) and more nutrients (11 vites and minerals) in a bowl of Frosted Rice Krispies.

Liquid calories can be the ones that break a diet.  Although not all studies show this effect, there’s evidence to show that liquid carbohydrate calories are not as satiating as those from solid sources.  In addition, excess fructose consumption is linked to the obesity epidemic.

People need to be eating – and drinking – less sugar, not more.  Ok, the occasional sugared drink won’t make you fat, assuming you’re not consuming too many calories in general, but the temptation to assume a drink like “Vitamin Water” is low in calories (as implied by the small serving size), and rich in essential nutrients: the very definition of something that’s “healthy.”  NOT: Vitamin Water is strictly a gimmick – the fact that the manufacturer, Glaceau, was bought out by Coca Cola should tell you something right there.  It may be slightly better than drinking Coke, but not by much.

Share