Is Vitaminwater Zero Bad For You?

The number one ingredient in vitaminwater zero is reverse osmosis water. Reverse osmosis is a type of filtration process that removes contaminants from the water but also has the ability to remove important trace minerals that are necessary for cellular health.  Reverse osmosis has the ability to remove impurities such as salt, prescription drugs, pesticides, insecticides, bacteria, lead, arsenic, cyanide and fluoride.  In 2009 the WHO (World Health Organization) presented concern that not only is reverse osmosis removing impurities but also removes nutrients such as iron, magnesium, manganese and calcium.  Because we ingest most of our vitamins and minerals from our diet or supplements this should not be a problem unless you are ingesting very large quantities of “demineralized” water.  The flip side to this is because of inadequate farming practices our fruits and vegetables have significantly declined in their mineral and vitamin content over the years. So if we are not receiving adequate nutrients from our food then stripping our water of minerals could compound the issue.  The other thing to consider is that if you cook whole foods in reverse osmosis water it can actually strip these foods of their mineral and vitamin content.

Vitaminwater zero does add in vitamins B3, B5, B6, B12 and vitamin C.  B vitamins are heart healthy, support the neurologic system, enhance mood, boost the immune system and aid in the production of red blood cells.  The benefits of vitamin C are vast.  It is a powerful antioxidant, supports repair of our tissues and also boosts the immune system. Vitamin C is vital in the formation of collagen and the maintenance of cartilage, bones and teeth.

One of the sweeteners used in vitaminwater is erythritol.  This is a sugar alcohol that is found in small amounts in some fruits and fermented foods. Most of the erythritol used today is produced by fermenting wheat or corn.  Since most of the corn produced today is genetically modified (GMO) there is the concern of pesticide and insecticide residue in its production.  The other caution is if erythritol is made from wheat then gluten sensitive individuals should avoid this. Erythritol can cause general gastrointestinal upset in people with irritable bowel and can also cause allergic reactions.  On the plus side, erythritol is very low in calories and sugar and does not produce an insulin response; therefore diabetics tend to tolerate this better than artificial sweeteners or sugar.  Erythritol is often combined with additional sweeteners.

Additional sweeteners in vitaminwater zero include stevia leaf extract and sorbitol. Stevia contains no calories and is plant derived.  In 2017 the Journal of Medicinal Food released an article that supported stevia in the treatment of obesity, Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Stevia can interact with pharmaceuticals and may lower blood pressure more significantly in individuals on high blood pressure meds. Stevia may also cause gastrointestinal upset in the form of nausea, vomiting, reflux, bloating and cramping. Sorbitol is also a sugar alcohol commonly made from corn syrup which brings up the issue of being genetically modified (GMO).  Sorbitol has been associated with abdominal cramps, bloating, abdominal pain, flatulence and diarrhea.

Overall, vitaminwater zero has no calories, is void of fat, sodium, protein, iron, vitamin D and delivers 4 grams of carbohydrates per bottle.  It is not a source of fiber has minimal potassium, magnesium and calcium.  The sweeteners may cause gastrointestinal upset and most likely come from a genetically modified source.  It is a decent source of vitamin B and C.  An organic fresh fruit beverage would be a much better choice-or drinking a fresh glass of water along with eating some organic fruits and/or vegetables.