Buying guide for best flavored waters
Water makes up the majority of the human body; it’s what makes everything work. Throughout the day, however, nearly everything we do — from sweating to breathing — diminishes our precious water reserve. To keep functioning, we need to keep replenishing. But it can be an effort to stay hydrated. That’s where flavored water comes in.
Flavored water gives us the variety we crave, making it easier to drink all those required ounces every single day. The best brands may even offer something more, such as vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes. However, what you don't want is an excess of chemicals and sugars. That is why it is so important to know every ingredient that is in your flavored water.
Key considerations
If you're putting nearly a gallon of anything in your body every day, you want to be certain it's a gallon of something good for you. Knowing exactly what is in your flavored water should be your primary focus when deciding what to buy. Following are some of the most common additives you will find in flavored water. Only you can decide which ones you want to be consuming.
Flavor (intensity)
Some people prefer their flavored water to taste mostly like water; any flavoring should be limited to a hint or a trace at the most. Others may feel cheated if they take a sip and their mouth is not awash with a full, robust taste. The degree of intensity that you prefer has a heavy bearing on the brand of flavored water you will like best.
Artificial colors
Colors trigger expectations. If you see a bottle of red fluid and a bottle of blue fluid, the one that's cherry flavored will likely be red. Because certain dyes have been proven to have a negative effect on behavior, you may want to check for them in the ingredients list. Flavored waters can be clear and still taste great.
Calories
In most instances, people choose flavored water over soda or some other beverage because they want to increase their fluid intake and cut back on calories. If you check the label and find out that there are as many calories in your bottle of flavored water as there are in your glass of morning juice, you might want to consider another brand.
Most flavored water comes from a city water source. If you are interested in flavored spring water, you will have to carefully research the product you are considering to make sure that is what it is.
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Artificial sweeteners
Some individuals have conditions that require them to avoid artificial sweeteners, but for the majority of people, artificial sweeteners have few health risks associated with them. Additionally, they can offer a number of benefits when it comes to concerns such as weight loss, blood sugar control, and dental health. Still, many people are wary about consuming foods that include artificial sweeteners. If you do not want your food to contain artificial substances, it is best to avoid flavored waters with artificial sweeteners in the ingredient list.
Alkaline water
Following artificial sweeteners, alkalinity is the second-most controversial aspect regarding drinking water. Proponents of alkaline water say water with a higher pH offers numerous health benefits, but studies have yet to confirm this. There is evidence that alkaline water is beneficial to specific conditions (blood viscosity, acid reflux, diabetes). However, these are typically not the benefits noted in the advertising (weight loss, immunity bolstering, anti-aging). Additionally, there is some evidence that suggests an excess of alkaline water may produce undesirable side effects such as hand tremors, nausea, and confusion.
Organic
When it pertains to food or farming methods, "organic" means that there were no chemicals, pesticides, or other artificial agents used in the food processing methods. Flavored water may contain ingredients, such as fruit, which can be certified as organic. Consequently, because of the diligence involved in its preparation, organic flavored water is typically only found at the highest end of the price scale.
Carbonation
Products such as club soda, seltzer, and sparkling water all have flavored options, as well. If you prefer your flavored water to have a bit of fizz, those are the products you should seek.
We consider whether flavored waters offer additional benefits or nutrients. For example, some contain electrolytes and vitamins, making them ideal for sports.
In addition to still water, we look at a wide variety of sparkling waters to assess flavor, ingredients, and more.
We research the concentration of added flavor in these products. Some people prefer a subtle hint of flavor; others prefer a stronger taste.
Some consumers prefer products free of artificial flavors and sweeteners. We consider whether artificial ingredients are added to each water we recommend.
Added sugar is an important consideration. Some flavored waters contain no sugar. Others are formulated to be sweet and juice-like.
Packaging affects portability, convenience, and sustainability. We consider whether flavored waters are sold in cans, glass or plastic bottles, or cartons.
Some brands offer a huge selection of flavors. Others offer limited choices. We consider how many flavors each brand offers.
Many consumers look for organic ingredients when buying flavored water. We find out whether waters are flavored with real fruit and/or organic ingredients.
Some people love to drink flavored water on its own, while others like to use it to make mocktails and cocktails. We think about which flavored options would be best for mixing beverages.
We want to know each product’s volume and price point. We also note whether the water comes in packs or cases.
Features
Although your primary focus should be knowing the ingredients that are in your flavored water, there are a few other aspects to consider to help find what's best for you.
Eco-friendly packaging
Flavored water is only available in conveniently sized bottles, so it means there will be waste. If you want to leave a smaller footprint, however, there are brands that use recycled materials for packaging.
Size
Speaking of size, not all containers are the same. If you like your servings to be smaller, you can find flavored water in six-ounce packets. However, if you prefer a more substantial hydration, look for packages with 20-ounce bottles.
Variety
If you crave variety, look for a variety pack of flavored water. The whole idea of purchasing flavored water is to encourage more drinking. If you don't get flavors that you enjoy, you will be less likely to meet your daily hydration requirements.
Beneficial additives
Pricier flavored waters are often fortified with beneficial additives such as vitamins, minerals, or electrolytes. These are not needed if all you desire is hydration, but they can allow your water to multi-task, so to speak, providing you with other items that your body needs besides fluids.
Did you know?
Although aspartame is a controversial artificial sweetener, it has the approval of a number of agencies including the FDA, the World Health Organization, the American Heart Association, and the American Dietetic Association.
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Flavored water prices
Flavored water is available in a variety of packaging options. Some can be purchased individually; others are only available in 12-packs. The following price examples are estimates for six-packs of flavored water.
Inexpensive: Flavored water that costs less than $3 for a six-pack is mostly what you would expect: water with flavoring. It's hard to go wrong with these products because at this price, there's usually not much added. However, it is always wise to check the label for undesirable ingredients.
Mid-range: From $3 to roughly $8 per six-pack, you are getting water that could contain nearly anything, from added sugars or sugar substitutes to artificial flavors and vitamins. There is a wide selection available in this price range, and it's easy to grab something with a similar content to soda, so be sure to read the label so you make a healthy choice.
High-end: The flavored waters in this category will likely have words such as "organic," "Non-GMO," "vegan," "natural," and/or "gluten-free" printed on the label. These may cost from $9 to $15, and sometimes more, for a six-pack. As with the other price ranges, be sure to read the ingredients, as words like "natural" do not necessarily mean healthy.
Did you know?
Signs that your body is not getting enough water include being thirsty, being hungry, feeling fatigued, muscle cramping, rapid heartbeat, dark urine, and headaches.
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Benefits of staying properly hydrated
Everyone knows, or at least has been told, that water is good for you. But knowing the specific benefits of staying properly hydrated can inspire individuals to make drinking the daily recommended amount more of a priority. Following are some of the main benefits of staying properly hydrated.
- A properly hydrated body functions better.
- Without water, the muscles don't work as well, and they are more prone to cramping.
- Water helps clear the kidneys of sodium and toxins, which can decrease the potential for kidney-related problems.
- When properly hydrated, you have more energy and can think more clearly.
- Staying properly hydrated bolsters the immune system.
- When you are properly hydrated, there is a greater chance of being regular.
- If you suffer from chronic headaches, staying sufficiently hydrated may decrease your symptoms.
FAQ
Q. Why is water so important?
A. More than half of the human body is water, and it’s the medium where bodily chemical reactions take place. Just a 1% drop in hydration can cause significant changes in how your body functions. Water keeps everything healthy, from skin to hair and nails. It is needed to control body temperature, heart rate, and even blood pressure.
Q. How much water should I drink?
A. The medical community used to suggest that eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day (64 ounces) was sufficient for everyone. However, the current stance is that everyone is different. Weight, level of activity, and even the climate where you live are all important factors to consider. The new recommendations are that we need one-half to a full ounce of water for every pound of body weight. If you weigh 150 pounds, then, the minimum you need to drink is 75 ounces (a little more than nine 8-ounce glasses) per day. However, if you are extremely active and/or live in a hot climate, you may need as much as 150 ounces per day (nearly nineteen 8-ounce glasses). Note: this amount of water must be gradually consumed throughout the entire day, as the kidneys can only process 32 ounces of water per hour at most.
Q. Does flavored water count as water?
A. Although many will claim it doesn't count, the truth is hydration is what is important. You can fulfill some of your daily water needs by eating fruits and vegetables or even by drinking milk or soda. The water in water is the same water that is in flavored water. What makes certain flavored water bad for you is the other ingredients it has: sugar, artificial flavoring, and other chemicals. Alternately, if what you are drinking has a diuretic effect (increases your urine production), it may not be as beneficial for hydration.
