Which 'Water' Is Healthiest?
As the temperature outside starts rising -- well, hopefully soon -- many of us start increasing our water intake. But truthfully, we should be drinking water all year round -- even long before we are officially thirsty. It's funny, though, that many people I meet don't like the taste of water. My father was one such person. He always said it had no flavor -- a remark I found rather odd being the water lover I am.
If my father was alive today, I wonder if he would try any of the fancy waters that exist. I also wonder, though, if he would be convinced, like many others, that these new waters have nutritional properties that way surpass plain old H20.
Here's a look at some of the water varieties increasingly on grocery store shelves (calorie and nutrient contents may vary widely by brand):
1. Coconut Water
8-ounce serving: 46 calories, 6 grams of sugar
I remember when coconut water was the only kid on the block, touting its health benefits including weight loss, anti-aging properties and decreased blood pressure. "Coconut water packs a potassium punch in addition to sodium, but there's nothing magical about the drink. A healthy diet -- especially bananas, potatoes, kidney beans, lentils, spinach and papaya -- provides plenty of potassium," Andrea Giancoli, a dietitian and past spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, told NPR. I agree. Lots of people swear by it as a post-workout recovery drink; however, if you are engaging in strenuous activity for more than an hour, a sports drink is still probably a better choice.
2. Cactus Water
8-ounce serving: 35 calories, 9 grams of sugar
A relative newcomer to the water game, cactus water claims to be rich in antioxidants that may help reduce certain cancers, strengthen your immune system, revive your skin, act as an anti-inflammatory and prevent hangovers. I can't speak on the validity of any of these claims since I wasn't able to substantiate them with conclusive science; however, I would be curious if it helps with one too many martinis and makes me look ten years younger.
3. Maple Water
8-ounce serving: 15 calories, 3 grams of sugar
I first addressed maple water exactly one year ago today, when I blogged about if for Shape.com. At the time, I couldn't really find any wild claims on its health benefits; however, Vertical Water's CEO told me that research on the functionality of maple water (also called maple sap) was ongoing. With more than one brand available today, there are some claims circulating. One, for example, is that maple water contains abscisic acid, which supposedly helps control blood sugars. Another claim has to do with the high percentage of manganese (30 percent), which may help with thyroid and bone health. I think the jury is still out so, hopefully, research is still ongoing.
4. Artichoke Water
8-ounce serving: 30 calories, 8 grams of sugar
Artichoke water may be the newest version of fancy water to hit grocery shelves, or at least it is to me. It also appears, at least compared to the three above, to have the most added ingredients to achieve the final product, though nothing artificial. As for health claims, it simply touts the artichoke as a superfood containing vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and electrolytes that may detox the liver, lower cholesterol, help with weight management, improve skin texture and more. I can't argue against the fact that an artichoke is a good-for-you vegetable, but I'm not sure nutritionally how a glass of the water compares to an actual whole artichoke, and if it really lives up to any of the claims.
Bottom line: The one certainty is that we need to hydrate our bodies, so if you like the taste of any of these waters, definitely drink up -- but don't drink them because of the health claims. On second thought, I don't think my father would have jumped on this bandwagon -- especially once he saw the prices.
Keri Gans, MS, RDN, CDN, is a registered dietitian/nutritionist, media personality, spokesperson, and author of The Small Change Diet. Gans's expert nutrition advice has been featured in Glamour, Fitness, Health, Self and Shape, and on national television and radio, including The Dr. Oz Show, Good Morning America, ABC News, Primetime, and Sirius/XM Dr. Radio.
