Vitaminwater®

Vitaminwater is a line of sports drink owned by Coca Cola Co. It was released as an alternative to water similar to the products like Gatorade and Powerade. Vitaminwater comes in a range of fifteen different flavors: defense, endurance, energy, focus, among others. Each is associated with a different health claim: to boost the immune system, build endurance and energy, to provide concentration, etc. On first thought, water seems to lose its appeal and Vitaminwater seems to be the cure-all. But, how accurate are these health claims? Is Vitaminwater a healthy alternative to water and source of vitamins?

I am going to assess the validity of the "Defense" of Vitaminwater. "Defense," according to a bottle of Vitaminwater, "is specially formulated with nutrients required for optimal functioning of the immune system and the generation and utilization of energy from food." Defense contains high amounts of vitamins B and C, and also zinc. Each of these vitamins and minerals are important in the production of cells that are involved in the immune system. This vitamin information is all provided clearly on the bottle, attracting the "health-oriented" consumers. What most consumers don't read is the fine print.

While Vitaminwater is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, it is also high in calories and sugar. A twenty-ounce drink contains nearly the same amounts as a twelve-ounce can of soda, in the respective areas. Further, stated synonymously with Michael Pollan's In Defense of Food, while diets rich in antioxidants are associated with lower rates of chronic disease, no conclusive scientific data show that antioxidants in supplemental form share the same success. This point is reiterated by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). Basically, this means that Vitaminwater is basing their claim, that the vitamins and antioxidants in their product strengthen immunity, on scientific hypotheses, not fact.

How does this affect you? According to Katherine Zeratsky of Mayo Clinic, vitamin-based waters contain sweeteners that add unneeded sugar and calories to the drink. Consequently, water and whole fruits and vegetables are the more optimal solution. If you already take a daily multi-vitamin, the vitamin drink will provide no real additional benefit. For now, stick to water, fruits, and vegetable; currently, these are the best sources of hydration, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.