Dr. Sunil - Is It Bad For You? Approved by Dr. Sunil

Is Vitaminwater Bad For You?


Grade

D-


Short answer

Vitaminwater is nothing more than a combination of sugar, water, and synthetic vitamins. Don't be fooled by the name; Vitaminwater is not good for you.

Grade

D-

Recommended Alternative


Long answer

"No reasonable person could be misled into thinking Vitaminwater was a healthy drink," argued Coca-cola (the parent company of Glacéau Vitaminwater) after being sued for providing false information. With a quote such as that coming from the makers of the product, I shouldn't need to continue saying that Vitaminwater is bad for you - so I won't. Instead, let's turn to why Vitaminwater is bad for you.

First, what is it made of? According to its own label, over 99% of the product is sugar and water, with about 0.5% being made up by a myriad of additives, artificial colors and flavors - and of course, synthetic vitamins. Synthetic vitamins, by the way, have not been shown to have the same benefits as naturally-occurring vitamins, as they have been chemically produced in a lab. Various studies have even proven synthetic vitamins to increase the risk of birth defects (this, of course, pertains to pregnant women), cancer, hyperglycemia, and blood clotting. They also inhibit proper absorption of nutrients from real food! Furthermore, specific synthetic vitamins all come with their own array of short-term side effects including, but not limited to, headache, nausea, fatigue, and eczema.

The real culprit in Vitaminwater, though, is sugar - more specifically the type of sugar that is added to make Vitaminwater. In the United States, the sugar used is cane sugar and crystallized fructose. Unlike glucose, fructose is only metabolized in the liver at certain amounts. Excess fructose is simply turned into fat. Problems that can arise are obesity, type 2 diabetes, tooth decay, heart disease, and cancer. With 120 calories and over 30 grams of sugar per 20 oz bottle, Vitaminwater is little more than soda dressed up with a fruity flavor and a healthy sounding name.


Possible short-term side effects

  • nausea
  • headache
  • blood sugar spike

Possible long-term side effects

  • tooth decay
  • weight gain
  • heart disease
  • cancer
  • type 2 diabetes
  • birth defects
  • hyperglycemia
  • blood clotting
  • decreased nutrient absorption

Ingredients to be aware of



Benefits

  • hydrating (contains water)

Healthier alternatives

  • water
  • fresh fruits
  • natural fruit juice

Our Wellness Pick (what is this?)

Essentia Alkaline Water

  • 99.9% purity
  • Infused with electrolytes
  • 9.5 pH or higher
  • Smooth taste
  • Ideal hydration
Learn More!



Thank you for your feedback!

Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 12-29-2015
Last updated: 12-15-2023

Thank you for your feedback!

Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 12-29-2015
Last updated: 12-15-2023




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