2008 Woodie Awards
The skinny on Vitamin Water
Flavor-filled alternative or crafty gimmick?
Patrice Bendig, Staff Writer
Issue date: 3/5/08Section: Features
There is a new trend that is changing the way people drink one of the necessities of life-- water. Not only is there water that comes in all sorts of bottles and even all sorts of fruit flavors, but now there are companies claiming that their water is full of vitamins and other wholesome ingredients, which adds even more of a benefit to drinking water. These companies have capitalized on the benefits of drinking water, and have invented catchy, appealing advertisements to market their particular types of water. Yet, while people are quick to guzzle these mouth-watering drinks that they've been told are good for their health, they are unsure of what the water actually consists of, and whether or not it's doing all of the things it claims to do. In some cases, the water may be doing more harm than help.
The most popular brand of these drinks is Vitamin Water, founded by the Glaceau Company, which was bought out by Coca-Cola in May 2007. The water comes in fifteen various flavors, all claiming to help in a certain area of life. Flavors like Defense, which is raspberry apple flavored, is supposed to boost immunity. Focus, which is kiwi strawberry flavored, is not only supposed to quench thirst, but provide more mental clarity. All of these drinks are vitamin-C infused, along with other nutrients such as lutein, glucosamine and zinc. Other flavors allege to speed up metabolism and recovery time, as well as offer immediate energy, strength, relaxation, vitality, and even more morning liveliness. All of these promises do sound attractive, especially if this stuff tastes good too, but as is the case with all things that sound good to be true, there is a catch.
According to howstuffworks.com, Vitamin Water serves 2.5 people. The label on vitamin water shows how many calories and sugar are in 8 fluid ounces of the drink, yet the bottle actually contains 20 fluid ounces. In order to ingest only the amount of calories located on the nutrients label of the bottle, a person would have to drink less than half of the beverage. In 8 fluid ounces of the drink , there are fifty calories, thirteen grams of carbohydrates, thirteen grams of sugar, 10% of vitamin A, B12, and 40% of vitamin C.
The most popular brand of these drinks is Vitamin Water, founded by the Glaceau Company, which was bought out by Coca-Cola in May 2007. The water comes in fifteen various flavors, all claiming to help in a certain area of life. Flavors like Defense, which is raspberry apple flavored, is supposed to boost immunity. Focus, which is kiwi strawberry flavored, is not only supposed to quench thirst, but provide more mental clarity. All of these drinks are vitamin-C infused, along with other nutrients such as lutein, glucosamine and zinc. Other flavors allege to speed up metabolism and recovery time, as well as offer immediate energy, strength, relaxation, vitality, and even more morning liveliness. All of these promises do sound attractive, especially if this stuff tastes good too, but as is the case with all things that sound good to be true, there is a catch.
According to howstuffworks.com, Vitamin Water serves 2.5 people. The label on vitamin water shows how many calories and sugar are in 8 fluid ounces of the drink, yet the bottle actually contains 20 fluid ounces. In order to ingest only the amount of calories located on the nutrients label of the bottle, a person would have to drink less than half of the beverage. In 8 fluid ounces of the drink , there are fifty calories, thirteen grams of carbohydrates, thirteen grams of sugar, 10% of vitamin A, B12, and 40% of vitamin C.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
David
posted 3/23/08 @ 5:17 PM NA
Very interesting post on vitminwater and other enhanced waters. Specifically, you hit on one of the key issues in the beverage (and food) business - labels can be misleading. (Continued…)
Drina Eldred
posted 4/23/08 @ 3:21 PM NA
I disagree because i LOVE vitamin water!! And there is nothing bad about it... =P
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