Is Vitaminwater as Good for You as the Name Implies? Let's Discuss

Among the colorful diet sodas and sweet teas on the market, in the year 2000, one stood above them all: Vitaminwater. Now a household name, Vitaminwater conjures up an image of a healthy beverage full of vitamins and minerals. Unfortunately, clever names and colorful beverages are not often indicators of a nutritious product, especially not when that product is made by the Coca-Cola Company.

Unlike other Coca-Cola products, Vitaminwater is touted as a great way to get electrolytes and hydrate. So, is Vitaminwater actually good for you? Here's what you need to know about its nutritional value, explained.

The simple answer is: no, Vitaminwater isn't really good for you. Sadly, although the drink is delicious and sweet, it might be too sweet for its own good. Vitaminwater is thoroughly enriched with vitamins and minerals, but it actually happens to contain too many of said beneficial vitamins, as well as a boatload of added sugars.

Considering Vitaminwater is made by a prominent soda company, it should be no surprise that regular Vitaminwater contains approximately 32 grams of sugar.

Healthline says this is about 50 percent less than a regular Coke. It also contains about 120 calories per serving.

According to Healthline, most of the sugar found in Vitaminwater comes from crystalline fructose, a purified form of fructose that can cause a host of health issues if consumed in excess, but this is only in the U.S. Most other countries flavor their Vitaminwater with sucrose or cane sugar.

According to EcoWatch, Vitaminwater contains many vitamins and micronutrients that most people already get. Vitaminwater comes in many flavors, all containing vitamins B and C. Some contain smaller amounts of vitamins A and E and potassium, magnesium, manganese, chromium, and zinc.

The average person's diet rarely lacks vitamins B and C. Vitaminwater contains 50 to 120 percent of a person's daily value of vitamin B and 50 to 150 percent of a person's recommended daily value of vitamin C. Thankfully, these aren't harmful amounts as those vitamins are water-soluble, so any excess vitamins are usually washed out of the body with a person's urine.

According to Healthline, increased supplemental use of vitamins A and E has been associated with an increased risk of premature death. A single Vitaminwater doesn’t contain any excess percentage of these vitamins, but if you start drinking daily, you could begin to reach those excessive levels.

Add to that the increased sugar and caloric intake that a Vitaminwater provides, and you might find your weight or blood sugar levels also beginning to reach unsafe levels. A little Vitaminwater can be a refreshing, sweet treat on a hot day. It might even provide a caloric boost of vitamin-infused energy, but it should most definitely be used in moderation.

Next time you're searching for a way to add a vitamin boost to your diet, it might be better to steer clear of Vitaminwater (unless you're only having one glass!) A better plan might be to reach for foods high in vitamins, like fruits and vegetables.

This article, originally published on Feb. 24, 2021, has been updated.