Vitamin water has become one of the many fashionable new drinks from companies vying to capture your attention. Yet there is actually a purposeful benefit behind this new beverage. There is also a great deal of hype which does not quite live up to the healthy impression presented by Vitamin Water.
About Glacéau
Glacéau is the name of the product line sold by Energy Brands, Inc. Glacéau's slogan is hydrate responsibly. Energy Brands produces four main product lines under the Glacéau brand; Vitamin Water, Smart.Water, Vitamin Energy, and Fruit Water. Each product is designed to appeal to a health-conscious clientèle. Glacéau products are distributed throughout the United States.
Contents of Vitamin Water
- Distilled water
- Crystalline fructose--derived from corn syrup as a sweetener
- Citric acid
- Electrolytes
- Natural flavors
- Vitamins
-
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin B3
- Vitamin B4
- Vitamin B5
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin E
- Additional ingredients are added depending on the specific flavor
Intended Purpose of Flavors
- Power-C- Dragonfruit
-
- Vitamin C and Taurine
- Energy- Tropical Citrus
-
- Vitamin B and guarana
- Revive- Fruit Punch
-
- Vitamin B and potasium
- Multi-V- Lemonade
-
- "Vitamin A to Zinc"
- Focus- Kiwifruit-Strawberry
-
- Vitamin A and Lutein
- Essential- Orange-Orange
-
- Vitamin C and calcium
- Formula 50- Grape
-
- 50 percent daily dose of vitamins
- Defense- Raspberry-Apple
-
- Vitamin C and zinc
- Rescue- Green Tea
-
- Vitamin C and EGCG
- Endurance- Peach-Mango
-
- Vitamin E and Ribose
- Vital-T- Lemon Tea
-
- Vitamin C and Vitamin E
- Balance- Cran-Grapefruit
-
- Vitamin C and glucosamine
- B-Relaxed- Jackfruit-Guava
-
- Vitamin B and theanine
- Charge- Lemon-Lime
-
- Vitamin B and electrolytes
- XXX- Acai-Blueberry-Pomegranate
- Triple antioxidants
Fruit Water
Fruit Water is a version of Vitamin Water that is less sweetened. Fruit Water consists of the exact same ingredients as Vitamin Water, except has less crystalline fructose and more of a light fruity flavor. Though Fruit Water promotes a "natural flavor," it does not actually contain any natural fruit juice.
Fruit Water Flavors
- Peach
- Lime
- Grape
- Dragonfruit
- Lemonade
- Orange
- Pomegranate
- Kiwi strawberry
Vitamin Energy
Vitamin Energy is an energy drink consisting of many of the exact same ingredients as Vitamin Water. Yet Vitamin Energy also contains caffeine and ribose.
Vitamin Energy Flavors
- Fruit Punch 21
- Dragonfruit 9
- Tropical Citrus 18
Reading Beyond the Label
Vitamin Water labels can be misleading. Certainly this was an ingenious marketing campaign that misleads customers into believing that Vitamin Water is, in fact, an all natural, healthy alternative to water. However, unless you're exercising and burning off the calories, then all Vitamin Water is doing is helping you gain weight. One bottle of Vitamin Water contains 125 calories and 33 grams of sugar. This is basically the same as any other soft drink.
Problems With These Products
There is doubt as to whether the added vitamins actually stay stable after the bottles spend an extended amount of time on the shelves before customers drink them. Some believe that the added vitamins might break down under the many dramatic temperatures changes they experience being transported from warehouses to stores.
The artificial ingredients added to Vitamin Water are not healthy. Most contain artificial sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners may cause digestive problems which outweigh the benefits of the beverage.
The artificial coloring used in most flavors is not healthy if taken in large quantities. The high fructose corn syrup used in these drinks has been proven to contribute to obesity and other health problems.
Limitations with Drinking Vitamin E
The body might not be able to absorb vitamin E. This is because vitamins are divided into two categories; water-soluble and fat-soluble. Vitamin C and B complex vitamins are water-soluble and can thus easily enter the bloodstream with water. On the other hand, fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, E and K can only enter the bloodstream if they are dissolved in dietary fat.
This means they can only be absorbed if they are taken with food. Unless you drink vitamin water with your meal, you will likely not get much benefit from vitamin A or vitamin E. Just as there are numerous foods high in vitamin C and foods high in vitamin K,there are many reliable sources of vitamin E.
Putting it All in Perspective
Vitamin Water is a popular beverage that provides energy and vitamins. However, there are also many negative aspects of the drinks which are not addressed by the clever marketing campaign which promotes the product. Water is still the best thing to drink, so don't let all the hype get to your head.
