Water, the natural drink, right?

Water – the natural drink, right?
Many people have grown dependent on bottled water over the past decade.  In the past few years, environmentalists started to get media coverage to describe how this habit is impacting our planet, which resulted in people limiting their purchase of these products.  Manufacturers countered by designing new products to regain some of that market.  Does your tap water have vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants or slenderizing properties? No, probably not, but some manufacturers claim that their beverages do.  The following information is designed to help separate fact from fiction.
Vitamin-infused water The majority of these beverages claim to boost your energy, relax you or improve your immunity.  No clinical studies exist to show benefits to any degree of certainty in regard to vitamin intake and immunity, unless a person is severely malnourished.  Likewise, no solid evidence is available that shows any vitamins help to either increase your energy or calm you down when you are feeling frazzled. The water products that claim to increase energy often contain high levels of caffeine, with some products actually supplying more of the stimulant than the most popular soft drinks. Some manufacturers of fortified waters include Guarana, an Amazon plant that contains a good amount of caffeine, in their formulations. Still other waters boast a whole array of added vitamins. Some vitamins are good, but more are even better, right? No. Any water-soluble vitamins are passed into your urine, if your intake is more than what you need.  That is a waste of money, but not particularly dangerous to you.  However, fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E, and K) are stored in your body, and you can possibly have an “overdose” with some negative health effects, if you consume more than you need.  Luckily, vitamins break down over time; so, you are probably not getting as much as the label states that you are. Water with added fiber The kind of fiber found in this water product is not the insoluble form that keeps you regular.  It is a soluble form, which may or may not help to keep you feeling full longer. Water for expectant mothers Does mixing extra calcium and folic acid into bottled water protect expectant mothers and their babies?  All nutritional professionals agree that whole food is always the best choice.  What about advertisements that state how important hydration is for expectant mothers?  Well, it is important, but most pregnant women do not require much or any more fluid than a non-pregnant woman.  The standard prenatal vitamin and a healthy, balanced diet provide all the nutrition one needs. Water for athletes These products usually contain sodium, potassium, amino acids, and / or some herbs.  Unless you are sweating excessively for long periods of time, you are unlikely to need extra sodium and potassium from a beverage.  In fact, the excess sodium could possibly add to your risk of high blood pressure.  Individuals with certain cardiac conditions or on certain medications need to avoid a high-potassium diet.  Taurine, an amino acid long touted for improving physical performance and strength, is not proven to actually work.  Ginseng, an herb that is touted as improving athletic agility, has also gone unproven. The bottom line Many fortified or “enhanced” waters contain sugar, sometimes as much as a soft drink, and the extra calories that go with it.  In many cases, you could get the same amount of vitamins or other added nutrients, with less sugar and fewer calories, in the form of a whole food.  Even in the case of low-calorie enhanced waters flavored with artificial sweeteners, whole food would provide more fiber and other phytochemicals and antioxidants that are important to your health.  Save money, the environment and your health by choosing fruits, vegetables, and foods containing whole grains and lean protein over a bottle of clear liquid with a handful of questionable add-ins.