Are Flavored Waters Really Better?

There are a number of new, flavored waters on the market. They claim to be calorie free and offer a sweet alternative to plain water. But how good are these new, improved liquids?

Not all flavored waters are equal. Some add just a touch of natural, fruity flavor to the water, while others include sugar or artificial sweeteners. You can find water that not only has a special taste, but is also carbonated. Yet other water products are vitamin enhanced, making them more of a liquid supplement. Which one you choose depends on how healthy you want to be and whether you are sensitive to artificial sweeteners or not.

If you are replacing regular pure water with one of these flavored waters, you really need to be careful how much is being added to the bottle. Sugar adds calories, so you will want to avoid that. It is the same as drinking sodas, if you choose flavored water with sugar in it. Instead, opt for an artificial sweetener, or better yet, skip sweet altogether!

Water is useful for hydrating your body and flushing toxins out. You especially need it if you are working out or perspiring a lot. However, if you add too much to water, it will be processed as food, not as water and you won't get the full health benefit. So take a look at the ingredient list on the side of your water bottle. If it looks like there are too many added ingredients, this is probably not the liquid for you!

Waters that are mildly flavored or have added vitamins tend to react with the body the same as regular water. As long as you steer clear of the more heavily flavored beverages, which tend to use flavored, sugary syrups mixed with water, you should be fine.

While carbonated beverages have a bad rap, carbonated water will hydrate you just as well as regular water. So go ahead and indulge yourself. Drinking a carbonated water is a good way to avoid sodas, which are definitely not good for you!

Another alternative, if you don't want to shell out a lot of dough, is to make your own flavored water by adding a dash of fresh fruit juice. Citrus is particularly refreshing. And this method is a whole lot cheaper and very healthy!

If you select the right flavored water, it can provide both hydration and vitamins. These waters can be an excellent way to boost your water intake without taking in more calories, so they are ideal for dieters.