How healthy is Vitamin Water? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

high_jinx · 08-08-2007, 10:01 AM

It's almost as popular as soda now in my area and it tastes really good... much lighter in syrup than something like a snapple.

but i wondered how vitamin water really stacked up health-wise compared to diet soda, snapple/sobe, and all the other drinks out there.

i'm on a diet now so don't want to much sugar, and i know plain water trumps all... but i like some variety. can someone who knows about this stuff chime in and compare?

maleficent · 08-08-2007, 10:20 AM

One of the ingredients in vitamin water is crystalline fructose and it's a little tough to find what exactly it is.. and what it's harmful effects are.
What is Crystalline Fructose?

Quote:

Crystalline fructose is produced by allowing the fructose to crystallize from a fructose-enriched corn syrup. The term “crystalline fructose” is listed in the ingredient statements of foods and beverages using this corn sweetener. It is important to understand that the “crystalline fructose” listed as an ingredient comes from cornstarch, not fruit.

Crystalline fructose can be used in the same foods as the high fructose corn syrups, or in any food that contains sugar.

HFCS is something that really should be avoided... and I'm not sure that crystalline fructose is really any better...

Willravel · 08-08-2007, 10:20 AM

http://www.bevnet.com/reviews/glaceauvitamin/facts.asp

It's like drinking jell-o with vitamins in it. As I understand it, they're definitely better than soda, but so is drinking a vat of acid.

Plan9 · 08-08-2007, 10:35 AM

... OR SHOOTING A FLARE GUN INTO YOUR NAVEL!

Anybody remember that issue of MAD magazine?

Anyways... side track:

A major issue with artificial sweeteners is something in the chemical world known as an excitotoxin. It kills your braincells by injecting them with too much calcium.

Nobody studies the stuff... so nobody really knows whats up with stuff like Propel and Diet Soda, etc.

Who knows? Maybe I've purposefully killed 20 IQ points since I was 16!

ngdawg · 08-08-2007, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by high_jinx

It's almost as popular as soda now in my area and it tastes really good... much lighter in syrup than something like a snapple.

but i wondered how vitamin water really stacked up health-wise compared to diet soda, snapple/sobe, and all the other drinks out there.

i'm on a diet now so don't want to much sugar, and i know plain water trumps all... but i like some variety. can someone who knows about this stuff chime in and compare?

"Diet soda" is one of the biggest oxymorons ever. Being sugar-free, but full of sodium and all that other junk doesn't make sense to me.
Try either the flavored waters or use Crystal Light and get your vitamins elsewhere. Drinking something that has vitamins in it but is also loaded with sugars is a wash.

Plan9 · 08-08-2007, 12:24 PM

See?

God wants us to drink beer!

la petite moi · 08-08-2007, 12:32 PM

Vitamin Water is just as healthy as say, Diet Coke Plus. It's not low-calorie (for the most part- something like 50-75 calories I believe?) and you'd be better off drinking plain water.

Willravel · 08-08-2007, 12:37 PM

Drink a glass of water, then eat an apple.

Jinn · 08-08-2007, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crompsin

A major issue with artificial sweeteners is something in the chemical world known as an excitotoxin. It kills your braincells by injecting them with too much calcium.

Source? So far as I know, current research demonstrates that the hematoencephalic barrier is effective at impeding transportation of aspartate to extracelluar areas, despite increased levels in the blood.

I hate artificial sweeteners because I'm a PTC taster (phenylthiocarbamide), so aspartame is extremely bitter to me; but I don't think there is yet any convincing research demonstrating a correlation between an increased blood plasma presence of aspartate and a prevalence of the same in extracellular areas within the brain.

ngdawg · 08-08-2007, 01:05 PM

huh???

thingstodo · 08-08-2007, 02:28 PM

It also effects the health of your wallet.

Jinn · 08-08-2007, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ngdawg

huh???

research shows that artificial sweeteners dont explode your brain cells with calcium

snowy · 08-08-2007, 03:15 PM

I drink Vitamin Water. It's a lot less sugary than most drinks. I also drink diet soda, coffee, and tea because, well, I don't much care for the taste of plain water. Never have. I do have a Nalgene that I carry around for when I work out and need to drink plain water.

That said, I drink the stuff and still manage to lose weight and body fat. But I only drink 1 a day or so--so that's 150 calories versus 250 calories that's in the same amount of regular soda, and it doesn't have that artificial taste like Propel has. All things are fine in moderation.

albania · 08-08-2007, 03:43 PM

This much:

Holds thumb and index finger one inch apart, and brings hand close to monitor so everyone can see.

Baraka_Guru · 08-08-2007, 03:52 PM

I'm alway skeptical of new beverages that claim to be a healthy alternatives to anything. Most new products are mainly marketing (i.e. they don't pay off when it comes to your health).

As far as the Glacéau brand of vitamin water is concerned:

While marketed as an enhanced, health-promoting water, nutrition experts question whether vitaminwater beverages are indeed healthful. Depending on the variety, each 20 fl. oz. bottle contains 100 to 125 calories and from 20 to 32.5 grams of sugar, nearly the equivalent of a 12 fl oz. can of Coca-Cola. Instead of "1 serving" on the nutrition label, Vitamin Water's 20 oz bottles say "2.5 servings", which enables the label to state the sugar content as "13 grams" when it is really 32.5 grams.

A derivative of corn syrup isn't likely healthier than corn syrup itself. And corn syrup itself should be consumed in moderation (i.e. as a treat). How much vitamin water do you drink? Do you consume the whole 2.5 servings in the container at a time?

And just because it has vitamins, it doesn't mean it's healthful. Fruit Loops and Pop Tarts have vitamins too. I wouldn't call this a health drink; I would call it an "energy drink" as it is marketed. Calories are energy. I would probably drink it if I were an athlete.

If you are on a diet and you want a health drink, the choices are pretty obvious. Try plain water and green tea for starters. Another thing to try is cutting your 100% pure fruit juice 50/50 with sparkling water such as Perrier or San Pellegrino.

Heck, even skim milk would be better. A single 8 oz. serving would have nearly the same amount of sugar as 2.5 servings of vitamin water, but at least it has the protein, calcium, and other vitamins and minerals. Much better balance for your diet.

Impetuous1 · 08-08-2007, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JinnKai

I hate artificial sweeteners because I'm a PTC taster (phenylthiocarbamide), so aspartame is extremely bitter to me

Heh, I just learned something new. I've never been able to stand the taste of any fake sugars like aspertame. They've always tasted horrible to me even though other people seemed to gulp them down.

On topic, I drink Vitamin Water at work. Not because I believe it actually has any real health benefits but because I like the taste. I try to avoid caffeine as much as possible and I'm lactose intolerant so my choices are limited other than fruit juice and water. I drink lots of water but it gets a little old after a while so that's when I switch up with an orange vitamin water. I like that they're not as sugary as a fruit juice.

stevie667 · 08-09-2007, 04:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Impetuous1

I try to avoid caffeine as much as possible and I'm lactose intolerant so my choices are limited other than fruit juice and water.

See if you can find lactose-free milk. I've just discovered it and it is the absoloute RoXXoRz!111!

I studied PTC tasting in chemistry a while back, very interesting stuff, i feel sorry for you all.

Plan9 · 08-09-2007, 06:28 AM

Lame attempt at a joke. But I'll throw in the science babble before my punchline:

Quote:

There are a growing number of clinicians and basic scientists who are convinced that a group of compounds called excitotoxins play a critical role in the development of several neurological disorders including migraines, seizures, infections, abnormal neural development, certain endocrine disorders, neuropsychiatric disorders, learning disorders in children, AIDS dementia, episodic violence, lyme borreliosis, hepatic encephalopathy, specific types of obesity, and especially the neurodegenerative diseases, such as ALS, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, and olivopontocerebellar degeneration.

Excitotoxins are amino acids such as glutamate and monosodium glutamate, also known as MSG. Glutamate is an endogenous chemical that is essential in forming short term memories in the hippocampus and relaying information from the cortex to the basal ganglia. However an excess of glutamate can overstimulate the receiving neuron, causing the cell to die. Since neurogenesis slows to insignificance in older adults, dead neurons are not replaced and eventually the brain's circuitry starts to decay.

Many foodstuffs contain additives that contain exitotoxins. A representative (but not definitive) list:
hydrolyzed vegetable protein
textured protein
hydrolyzed plant protein
soy protein extract
caseinate
yeast extract
aspartame

It is believed that Vitamin C and Vitamin E both reduce the risk of excitotoxicity by reducing the action of free radicals. However studies of Alzheimer's Disease indicate these vitamins are only beneficial if obtained from natural sources, such as fruits and vegetables. Vitamin pills, multivitamins and dietary supplements seem to have little effect on the accumulation of excitotoxins.

Excitotoxins are real (and fun to say). Braincells exploding is not real (but still fun to say).

God, nobody finds over-the-top stuff funny anymore.

I like how finite sciences contradict themselves for decades.

(thinks of the '50s when cigarettes were recommended by doctors to cure things)

Ya know... (sigh)

(hangs up his chemistry comedy jock)

I'll go back to telling, "A set of jumper cables walks into a bar..."

MSD · 08-10-2007, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JinnKai

I hate artificial sweeteners because I'm a PTC taster (phenylthiocarbamide), so aspartame is extremely bitter to me;

That's interesting, I can't taste PTC and I still find aspartame extremely bitter (although rum and diet coke tastes pretty good.)

Jinn · 08-10-2007, 09:51 AM

How do you know you can't taste PTC?

ROOTS_LRG · 08-14-2007, 01:37 PM

Vitamin Water XXX is soooo yummy. Triple antioxidants! Love the Acai berry +)

Adri · 08-14-2007, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROOTS_LRG

Vitamin Water XXX is soooo yummy. Triple antioxidants! Love the Acai berry +)

Triple the antioxidants of what?

Regular water, which has none? Regular VitaminWater, which doesn't have enough to counteract the sugar?

kutulu · 08-24-2007, 12:49 PM

I really hate that it is called water at all. It's water with sweetener and some shit thrown in that is supposed to be good for you . Why don't they just call it a sports drink like Gatorade? That's what it really is.

Vitamin Water: Vapor distilled, deionized water and/or reverse osmosis water, crystalline fructose, citric acid, monopotassium phosphate (electrolyte), ascorbic acid (vitamin C), natural flavor, dipotassium phosphate (electrolyte), magnesium lactate (electrolyte), gum acacia, calcium lactate (electrolyte), niacin (B3), ester gum, pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine hydrochloride (B6), b-carotene (color) cyanocobalamin (B12)

Gatorade: Water, sucrose syrup, high fructose corn syrup (glucose-fructose syrup), citric acid, natural orange flavors and other natural flavors, salt, sodium citrate, monopotassium phosphate, yellow 6, glycerol ester of wood rosin, brominated vegetable oil

If you are worried so much about calories, drink Gatorade. It has only 50 calories. Neither are truly 'healthy' but both are probably less unhealthy than a soda or snapple, but not by much.

08-08-2007, 10:01 AM	#1 (permalink)
high_jinx Psycho Location: venice beach, ca	How healthy is Vitamin Water? It's almost as popular as soda now in my area and it tastes really good... much lighter in syrup than something like a snapple. but i wondered how vitamin water really stacked up health-wise compared to diet soda, snapple/sobe, and all the other drinks out there. i'm on a diet now so don't want to much sugar, and i know plain water trumps all... but i like some variety. can someone who knows about this stuff chime in and compare? __________________ -my phobia drowned while i was gettin down.

08-08-2007, 10:35 AM	#4 (permalink)
Plan9 I Confess a Shiver	... OR SHOOTING A FLARE GUN INTO YOUR NAVEL! Anybody remember that issue of MAD magazine? Anyways... side track: A major issue with artificial sweeteners is something in the chemical world known as an excitotoxin. It kills your braincells by injecting them with too much calcium. Nobody studies the stuff... so nobody really knows whats up with stuff like Propel and Diet Soda, etc. Who knows? Maybe I've purposefully killed 20 IQ points since I was 16! __________________ *Whatever you can carry.* "You should not drink... and bake."

08-08-2007, 12:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
Plan9 I Confess a Shiver	See? God wants us to drink beer! __________________ *Whatever you can carry.* "You should not drink... and bake."

08-08-2007, 01:05 PM	#10 (permalink)
ngdawg peekaboo Location: on the back, bitch	huh??? __________________ Don't blame me. I didn't vote for either of'em.

08-08-2007, 02:28 PM	#11 (permalink)
thingstodo A Storm Is Coming Location: The Great White North	It also effects the health of your wallet. __________________ If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves. Stangers have the best candy.

08-08-2007, 10:20 AM	#3 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	http://www.bevnet.com/reviews/glaceauvitamin/facts.asp It's like drinking jell-o with vitamins in it. As I understand it, they're definitely better than soda, but so is drinking a vat of acid.

08-08-2007, 12:32 PM	#7 (permalink)
la petite moi Filling the Void. Location: California	Vitamin Water is just as healthy as say, Diet Coke Plus. It's not low-calorie (for the most part- something like 50-75 calories I believe?) and you'd be better off drinking plain water.

08-08-2007, 12:37 PM	#8 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	Drink a glass of water, then eat an apple.

08-08-2007, 03:15 PM	#13 (permalink)
snowy Kick Ass Kunoichi Location: Oregon	I drink Vitamin Water. It's a lot less sugary than most drinks. I also drink diet soda, coffee, and tea because, well, I don't much care for the taste of plain water. Never have. I do have a Nalgene that I carry around for when I work out and need to drink plain water. That said, I drink the stuff and still manage to lose weight and body fat. But I only drink 1 a day or so--so that's 150 calories versus 250 calories that's in the same amount of regular soda, and it doesn't have that artificial taste like Propel has. All things are fine in moderation. __________________ If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

08-08-2007, 03:43 PM	#14 (permalink)
albania Psycho	This much: Holds thumb and index finger one inch apart, and brings hand close to monitor so everyone can see.

08-08-2007, 03:52 PM	#15 (permalink)
Baraka_Guru warrior bodhisattva Super Moderator Location: East-central Canada	I'm alway skeptical of new beverages that claim to be a healthy alternatives to anything. Most new products are mainly marketing (i.e. they don't pay off when it comes to your health). As far as the Glacéau brand of vitamin water is concerned: While marketed as an enhanced, health-promoting water, nutrition experts question whether vitaminwater beverages are indeed healthful. Depending on the variety, each 20 fl. oz. bottle contains 100 to 125 calories and from 20 to 32.5 grams of sugar, nearly the equivalent of a 12 fl oz. can of Coca-Cola. Instead of "1 serving" on the nutrition label, Vitamin Water's 20 oz bottles say "2.5 servings", which enables the label to state the sugar content as "13 grams" when it is really 32.5 grams. A derivative of corn syrup isn't likely healthier than corn syrup itself. And corn syrup itself should be consumed in moderation (i.e. as a treat). How much vitamin water do you drink? Do you consume the whole 2.5 servings in the container at a time? And just because it has vitamins, it doesn't mean it's healthful. Fruit Loops and Pop Tarts have vitamins too. I wouldn't call this a health drink; I would call it an "energy drink" as it is marketed. Calories are energy. I would probably drink it if I were an athlete. If you are on a diet and you want a health drink, the choices are pretty obvious. Try plain water and green tea for starters. Another thing to try is cutting your 100% pure fruit juice 50/50 with sparkling water such as Perrier or San Pellegrino. Heck, even skim milk would be better. A single 8 oz. serving would have nearly the same amount of sugar as 2.5 servings of vitamin water, but at least it has the protein, calcium, and other vitamins and minerals. Much better balance for your diet. __________________ Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing? —Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön Humankind cannot bear very much reality. —From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot Last edited by Baraka_Guru; 08-08-2007 at 04:00 PM.. Reason: Added details for clarity.

08-10-2007, 09:51 AM	#20 (permalink)
Jinn Lover - Protector - Teacher Location: Seattle, WA	How do you know you can't taste PTC? __________________ "I'm typing on a computer of science, which is being sent by science wires to a little science server where you can access it. I'm not typing on a computer of philosophy or religion or whatever other thing you think can be used to understand the universe because they're a poor substitute in the role of understanding the universe which exists independent from ourselves." - Willravel

08-14-2007, 01:37 PM	#21 (permalink)
ROOTS_LRG Upright	Vitamin Water XXX is soooo yummy. Triple antioxidants! Love the Acai berry +)

08-24-2007, 12:49 PM	#23 (permalink)
kutulu Junkie	I really hate that it is called water at all. It's water with sweetener and some shit thrown in that is supposed to be good for you . Why don't they just call it a sports drink like Gatorade? That's what it really is. Vitamin Water: Vapor distilled, deionized water and/or reverse osmosis water, crystalline fructose, citric acid, monopotassium phosphate (electrolyte), ascorbic acid (vitamin C), natural flavor, dipotassium phosphate (electrolyte), magnesium lactate (electrolyte), gum acacia, calcium lactate (electrolyte), niacin (B3), ester gum, pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine hydrochloride (B6), b-carotene (color) cyanocobalamin (B12) Gatorade: Water, sucrose syrup, high fructose corn syrup (glucose-fructose syrup), citric acid, natural orange flavors and other natural flavors, salt, sodium citrate, monopotassium phosphate, yellow 6, glycerol ester of wood rosin, brominated vegetable oil If you are worried so much about calories, drink Gatorade. It has only 50 calories. Neither are truly 'healthy' but both are probably less unhealthy than a soda or snapple, but not by much.