Can water do more than just hydrate?
Apparently so, there are now a range of water-based drinks with health benefits available in supermarkets and on the High Street.
So CHARLOTTE DOVEY asked the experts to judge a selection of new products, which we then rated (and tasted).
Wow cocoa
Also known as the “food of the gods,” cocoa has been used for many years to reduce inflammation and improve blood flow.
Six 500ml bottles, £21, drinkwowcacao.com
Per 100 ml: Calories, 21; sugar, 5 g; salt, 0 g
Claim: Made from water and 33 percent cocoa juice “preserved cocoa pulp,” it’s “loaded with antioxidants,” contains electrolytes, and is rich in vitamin C and potassium.
Expert verdict: “On the positive side, this drink comes from a natural source – cocoa – and is not laden with artificial chemicals, and although the sugar level is the highest of any product, it’s still low and natural,” says Hazel Clarke, nutritionist and founder of HC Dietetics .
“Additionally, any drink with electrolytes—minerals like sodium and potassium that your body needs to function—can aid fluid absorption. You get 7.5 percent of the recommended daily potassium in the bottle, which helps the body retain water in your cells and maintain blood pressure.
But this is only really useful for athletes who need more fluids after losing them through sweat, or people who are dehydrated [through diarrhoea, for instance].
“It’s not necessary for the general population.” And at £3.75 each, it’s expensive. Just drink water.”
Health assessment: 6/10
Taste: Slightly acidic with a dry aftertaste.
Vitamin Well Recover Elderflower and peach
500ml, £1.85, ocado.com
Per 100 ml: Calories, 17; sugar, 4.2 g; salt, 0.03 g
Claim: It contains B vitamins and magnesium, which “contribute to the reduction of fatigue” and pantothenic acid, which “contributes to normal metabolism”.
Expert verdict: “Honestly, it’s counterproductive to drink an essentially unhealthy sugary drink to get your vitamins — but that’s exactly what you’d be doing with it,” says Emer Delaney, nutritionist and founder of My Private Diet.
“After water, the second ingredient is sugar – drink a whole bottle and you’d consume about four teaspoons of added sugar. Sugar is also fructose. There is evidence that excessive consumption of fructose could lead to increased food consumption because it may not make people feel as full: studies have shown that it produces less of a rise in satiety hormones than glucose, a sugar found naturally in starter carbohydrates, for example.
“That alone negates any benefits of the drink, if any. Even then, it doesn’t provide high enough levels of many vitamins—only folic acid is present for 100 percent of your daily needs, and few people are deficient in this B vitamin.”
Health assessment: 1/10
Taste: Artificial peach flavor.
Vieve Protein Water Strawberry & Rhubarb
Although Vieve Protein Water contains 20g of protein per bottle, it also contains ingredients that can be harmful to your health.
500ml, £1.84, ocado.com
Per 100 ml: Calories, 18; sugar, 0 g; salt, 0.038 g
Claim: With 20g of protein and 85 calories per bottle, it contains water, beef collagen, flavors and the sweetener sucralose. ‘Drink it post-workout or as a protein supplement during the day.’
Expert verdict: “Adding beef collagen to water sounds disgusting,” says Emer Delaney.
“Collagen – the most abundant protein in the body – is popular for its potential anti-aging properties. We make it naturally from amino acids in foods such as meat and eggs, but aging, smoking, alcohol and sun damage reduce its levels, leading to joint pain, muscle weakness and wrinkled, dry skin.
“However, while scientific research has shown that cow-based protein is beneficial for joints, most studies involve wildly varying dosages (between 0.1 and 10 mg) and generally focus on older women with low bone mineral density. And positive scientific studies are often funded by the supplement industry.”
Hazel Clarke adds: “Getting collagen from this drink also means getting a lot of additives. These include the artificial sweetener sucralose, which has been shown in some studies to alter gut bacteria and worsen IBS symptoms.
“Instead, opt for food sources – lean meats, legumes, nuts or tofu – and include foods rich in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits and berries, as these help the body produce collagen in the first place.”
Health assessment: 3/10
Taste: Very sweet, with an unpleasant aftertaste.
BetterYou Magnesium Water Hydrate
250ml, £1.49, hollandandbarrett.com
Per 100 ml: Calories, 8; sugar, 1.2 g, salt, 0.030 g
Claim: “Quickly replace magnesium lost through exercise and everyday stress with a triple blend of magnesium and minerals from the Irish Sea – it powers every cell in the body.”
Expert verdict: Emer Delaney says: “Save the cost of a can and only eat magnesium-rich foods with lots of fiber, such as leafy greens, nuts and beans. For example, just a handful of almonds provides almost a fifth of your daily magnesium needs – and is full of other nutrients and fibre, too.
“You’d also avoid the sweetener, agave nectar, which can cause indigestion for some.”
Hazel Clarke adds: “I recommend it to people with chronic constipation. Magnesium can increase bowel function and help soften stools.”
Health assessment: 6/10
Taste: Mineral citrus flavor.
Water kefir Aqua de Madre Pomegranate and hibiscus
Drinking kefir daily is believed to increase antioxidants, regulate blood sugar and boost immunity
330ml, £2.49, welleasy.co.uk
Per 100 ml: Calories, 14; sugar, 2.8 g; salt, 0.1 g
Claim: “Filled with billions of live, gut-loving cultures,” it contains water-fermented kefir culture, bacillus subtilis and Himalayan salt.
Expert verdict: Hazel Clarke says: “Many of us are familiar with kefir, the gut-friendly yogurt drink. This is similar except it is made by mixing kefir grains with sugar water rather than milk. This creates a sparkling drink rich in probiotics and bacillus subtilis.”
Emer Delaney adds: “Studies suggest that milk kefir has a wider variety of good bacteria than water-based kefir and is more beneficial. However, water kefir is a good source of probiotics for vegans and people with dairy intolerances. This is also additive free and the best functional drink out there.”
Health assessment: 9/10
Taste: With a pleasant pomegranate flavor.
Actiph alkaline ionized water
1 litre, £2.15, tesco.com
Per 100 ml: Calories, 0 g; sugar, 0 g; salt, 0 g
Claim: Made from spring water and added electrolytes, it “provides an alkaline alternative to our increasingly acidic diets.”
Expert verdict: “The implication that this water counteracts our acidic diets and improves your health is ridiculous,” says Hazel Clarke.
“While the website correctly explains how the fizzy, sugary soft drinks, fast food and alcohol that many of us eat are acidic – and can be harmful in excess – there is no evidence that drinking something alkaline will offset or reverse these harmful effects . pH of our body. The only thing that could make a difference is medication.’
Health assessment: 1/10
Taste: Similar to tap water.
Fhirst’s Living Soda contains corn fiber and inulin from chicory root, which are known to support the growth of beneficial bacteria.
First Living Soda Ginger Mandarin
330ml, £2, welleasy.co.uk
Per 100 ml: Calories, 6; sugar, 0 g; salt, 0.01 g
Claim: “A probiotic and prebiotic gut soda with no sugar or sweeteners that is science-backed.”
Expert verdict: “I don’t know the science behind this particular drink,” says Hazel Clarke, “but the Lactobacillus rhamnosus probiotics in it are well-researched friendly bacteria. It also contains the “prebiotics” corn fiber and inulin from chicory root, which help benefit the good bacteria in your gut.
“Together, these ingredients support a healthy gut, although the drink is unlikely to contain the amount needed for significant benefits – the standard recommendation is at least ten billion; this claims to contain two billion.’
Emer Delaney adds: “This drink could be problematic for IBS sufferers as the inulin from chicory root can cause bloating and diarrhoea. However, it wouldn’t hurt for everyone else.”
Health assessment: 7/10
Taste: Strong ginger taste.
Birch water on tap
250ml, £2.75, ocado.com
Per 100 ml: Calories, 3; sugar, 0.7 g; salt 0 g
Claim: Birch water without added sugars and sweeteners. Just 8 calories, it provides “15 percent of your daily manganese” and is a natural source of “antioxidant manganese, which supports cell protection against oxidative stress.”
Expert verdict: “Antioxidants such as manganese help protect the body from free radicals – molecules that can damage cells and contribute to aging and some cancers,” says Emer Delaney.
“However, manganese is not something that is routinely measured – nor is it something that people tend to be deficient in. For example, we get enough of it in one piece of whole grain toast.
“Also, lots of vitamins and minerals have antioxidant properties – for example vitamins A, C, E – so eat foods high in these, such as leafy greens and berries. Additionally, you can reduce the level of free radical damage by limiting your alcohol intake, controlling your stress levels, exercising and getting enough sleep.”
Health assessment: 3/10
Taste: Sweet, almost creamy.
Io Fiber Water Lemon & Lime
500ml, £1.99, naturesbalance.co.uk
Per 100 ml: Calories, 3; sugar, 0.2 g; salt, 0 g
Claim: “Enjoy 100 percent of your daily intake of prebiotics and 20 percent of your daily intake of fiber” in a bottle.
Expert verdict: “Getting more fiber into our diet is not a bad idea, but why do it by drinking fiber water?” says Hazel Clarke. “Just because science allows you to do something doesn’t mean you should do it.
“For example, just half an avocado gives you 6.7g of fiber and a medium pear gives you 5.5g. And you get all the other benefits of eating these foods.”
Emer Delaney adds: “This contains the sweeteners steviol and erythritol – both of which can cause indigestion. But basically it’s a processed drink that’s not as good as fresh food and water.”
Health assessment: 2/10
Taste: Artificially flavored lemon with a hint of sweetness.