Stories for a healthier life

Mind & Body

What kind of water works best?

By JoAnne K. Clobus

What kind of water works best?

Ask a group of experts how much water you should drink, and chances are you’ll get a different answer from each one.

Some health and fitness pros stick to the 8-x-8 rule—eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily—for optimal digestion and weight management. Others debunk that as a myth, suggesting instead you’ll find the answer in your toilet—if your urine is nearly clear, you’re drinking the right amount.

Whatever the right formula, the truth is most of us need to drink more water. If that’s you, you’re in luck, because there are countless options to choose from.

The new wave of varietal waters, says dietitian Megan McGill, is in response to people drinking more water than ever before. “Water is water—it just sounds healthy,” she says.

For people who cannot warm up to drinking plain water, the new plethora of water alternatives is appealing.

“Even though they are not water, per se, they are far healthier than soft drinks, juices or shakes,” McGill says.

Whether you opt for one of the many varietals or just plain water, they all share a common goal—keeping your body hydrated, and that’s important. Which one you choose all comes down to your preference and what your body needs.

UNIQUE H20

COCONUT WATER

  • Main ingredient: Coconut
  • Popular brands: Vita Coco, Zico, Goya, Harmless Harvest
  • Touted benefits: High in potassium and lower in sugar and sodium than sports drinks
  • Drawbacks: Calories from sugar will still add up. To reap the benefits, you must drink a lot.
  • Who is it good for? Athletes, moderately active people, anyone seeking a healthier alternative to sports drinks
  • DIY drink: Add 1 cup of water and 1/2 cup dried, shredded coconut to a blender. Blend well and strain through a nut milk bag.

MAPLE WATER

  • Main ingredient: Maple syrup
  • Popular brand: Vertical Water
  • Touted benefits: Anti-inflamatory, improves muscle function, aids in blood sugar control, antioxidant, anti-cancer compounds, enhances absorption of certain vitamins and minerals, such as magnesium
  • Drawbacks: High in sugar, at 3 to 4 grams per serving. Research is controversial at this time regarding its true health benefits. Expensive.
  • Who is it good for? Anyone looking for a healthier alternative to soda
  • DIY drink: Heat 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup and 8 oz. water to boiling. Boil for three minutes. Cool and refrigerate.

CHLORPHYLL WATER

  • Main ingredient: Chlorophyll
  • Popular brands: World Organic Liquid, Nature’s Way Chlorofresh, Verday
  • Touted benefits: Claims to be free of calories, preservatives and gluten. Chlorophyll has antioxidants and is a natural detoxifier, said to promote weight loss.
  • Drawbacks: Costlier than other “health” waters. Not enough research to support nutrition claims.
  • Who is it good for? Anyone looking for a healthier alternative to soda or an aid to weight loss
  • DIY drink: In a tall glass filled with ice, add juice of a half of a lime, 2 teaspoons of liquid chlorophyll (found in health food stores) and enough water to fill the glass.

SODA SUBSTITUTES

SPARKLING WATER

  • Main ingredients: Carbonated water, fruit juice
  • Popular brands: LaCroix, Sparkling Ice, Clearly Canadian
  • Touted benefits: Unflavored varieties are a better option than soda. Carbonic acid has lower acidity compared to soft drinks.
  • Drawbacks: Flavored versions can contribute to tooth enamel erosion due to acidic PH levels, especially when flavored with citric acid.
  • Who is it good for? Those looking for a healthier alternative to soda
  • DIY drink: Mix 1 cup filtered water, 1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice, 1 cup sugar, 3 cups club soda and 1/2 cup cranberry juice in a tall pitcher. Add lemon slices to pitcher and chill in the refrigerator.

FLAVORED WATER

  • Main ingredients: Natural and artificial flavoring and sweeteners
  • Popular brands: SoBe, Hint, Ayla’s Herbal
  • Touted benefits: Calorie-free or very low in calories, it can be a good option in place of other flavored drinks, depending upon what it's flavored with, whether it’s chemicals, extra sodium or artificial flavors
  • Drawbacks: The key here is what the water is flavored and sweetened with, since chemical-based sweeteners, like aspartame, can be harmful over time
  • Who is it good for? Those looking for a healthier alternative to soda
  • DIY drink: Infuse water with fruit of your choice, cut into chunks. Citrus fruits and berries work well.

WATER WITH A TWIST

VITAMIN WATER

  • Main ingredients: Vitamins and minerals
  • Popular brands: Agua, Verve, VitaminWater, Propel
  • Touted benefits: Vitamins and minerals designed to replenish the body with nutrients most people lack
  • Drawbacks: Regular varieties contain 32 grams of sugar per a 20-ounce serving—nearly as much as a soft drink.
  • Who is it good for? Those who exercise regularly or are following a low-calorie diet
  • DIY drink: Combine 2 cups diced watermelon; 1 sliced lemon; 1 sliced lime; half of a red grapefruit, cut into chunks; 1 sliced cucumber; 12 mint leaves; and 2 quarts of water into a large pitcher. Refrigerate overnight and serve over ice.

PURIFIED WATER

  • Main ingredients: Water
  • Popular brands: Aquafina, Nestle Pure Life, Smartwater
  • Touted benefits: Has had all toxins and microorganisms filtered out through distillation or reverse osmosis, making it superior to water that contains chemicals, heavy metals or potential allergens
  • Drawbacks: It does contain chlorine, which can destroy healthy flora in the digestive tract. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lisa Jackson says U.S. water pollution control law enforcement is unacceptably low, so not all filtered water is perfectly free of anything harmful.
  • Who is it good for? Everyone, in moderation.
  • DIY drink: Bring water to a boil before drinking to kill any bacteria living in it.