Is Vitaminwater® Good for You?

Smarter water. Skinnier water. Water that "fills the gap" between colas and water. Water offerings today can include electrolytes and vitamins and minerals like potassium and Vitamins A, B6, B12 and C. And they come in any flavor and color we like.

But are these pretty waters good for our bodies?

A drink with added vitamins may sound like a healthy choice, but most Americans are getting plenty of vitamins already. More in fact, than the U.S. Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, B6 and B12, and three-quarters worth of the RDA of vitamins C, B9 and A. Since fruits, vegetables and other whole foods are the best sources of vitamins and minerals, if you're eating a balanced diet or taking a multivitamin, you won't likely benefit from drinking vitamin water.

Even if you are not eating your share of veggies, much of vitamins in these enriched waters are likely to be wasted. Vitamins come in two groups: water-soluble and fat-soluble. Vitamin C and the B complexes can enter the bloodstream with water. But these vitamins are fragile, and any food preparations using water can actually damage or destroy the vitamins. And Vitamins A, D, E and K can only enter the bloodstream if they are dissolved in dietary fat, like that found in a meal. So unless you drink vitamin water with a meal, these vitamins will be mostly unused by your system.

Artificial sweetners and extra calories

Along with with vitamins and other additives, some waters include sweeteners that add calories, which is not helpful for weight loss or control. Many vitamin waters contain 50 calories or more per serving!

Enriched water for exercising is not usually needed

Unless you are doing intense exercise for over an hour, plain water hydrates best.

In fact, water hydrates your cells better than any other liquid, both before and during exercise. Drinking four to six ounces of water for every 15-20 minutes of exercise is recommended.

If you are exercising at high intensity for 60 minutes or more sports drinks can be helpful You're not likely to deplete your body's sodium, potassium and other electrolytes during normal training. Only if you are exercising in extreme hot or cold conditions over three or five hours (like a marathon or ultramarathon) will you need a sports drink with electrolytes.

The answer is plain. Plain water!

Plain water is a natural, healthy, no-calorie drink. If you don't like the taste, try sparkling water or add a packet of True Lemon, True Lime or True Orange in your water to keep it a no-calorie, natural source of hydration. Water, and enough of it, is what the body needs to get and stay hydrated. Extra color, sweeteners or vitamins need not apply.

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