As more and more Americans embark on a healthy lifestyle, there’s a renewed interest in healthy drinks such as Vitamin Water. An Arizton report states that the Global Electrolyte and Vitamin Water market crossed USD 6.9 billion as of 2020 and was growing at a CAGR OF 10%. In addition, with vitamin water being prevalent among fitness enthusiasts, it is becoming one of the most sought alternatives for sugary carbonated drinks.
Is vitamin water vegan? Yes! Most vitamin water brands are vegan, except for a few ingredients. Potential non-vegan ingredients include D Vitamins, sugar, natural flavor, and artificial color.
Vitamin water is mired with controversies and not just its vegan status. Loaded with vitamins and minerals, it is touted to be the next health drink. However, vitamin water is generally loaded with sugar which can be unhealthy when in excess. Furthermore, not many people are deficient in the nutrients added to vitamin water.
And this brings us to the question: Is vitamin water vegan? What is vitamin water made of?
Is Vitamin Water Vegan Friendly?
In short, Yes! Vitamin water is vegan-friendly. They do not have any animal base ingredients.
Essentially, vitamin water is only water enriched with vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes.
However, the catch is that it lacks the vegan label, which can be challenging considering the complicated ingredients that make the Vitamin Water.
In saying that, as per Coca-Cola (manufacturer of Glaceau Vitamin Water), most of their products are vegan, except a few such as Glaceau Vitaminwater Zero Sunshine and Multi V.
However, as always, there are a couple of controversial ingredients:
- Sugar: Sugar obtained from sugarcanes may be subjected to a filtration process that uses bone char to give its white color. Bone char is essentially animal bones scorched at very high temperatures until they turn powdery.
- Natural Flavor: Natural flavors are more ambiguous because they can be sourced from plants or animal derivates.
What is Vitamin Water?
As the name indicates, Vitamin Water is water enriched with vitamins and minerals that are great for your health. Unfortunately, more often than not, they are also sweetened with sweeteners (natural and artificial) and flavors.
First launched in 2000, Vitaminwater took the US by storm. Water enriched with vitamins and minerals changed the beverage industry, earning millions. In the highly competitive beverage industry, vitamin water continued to rise in popularity as consumers considered the added calories worth its benefits, aka vitamins and minerals.
How Many Vitamin Water Flavors are There?
Thanks to the many different brands, there are many vitamin water flavors. The best part is that you have a wide variety if you are looking to replace your sugary sodas. Unfortunately, however, not all vitamin water flavors are drinkable. More often than not, they can be bitter or cloyingly sweet to artificial sweeteners.
Here are some light and refreshing flavors for you:
- Acai-Blueberry-Pomegranate Zero by Vitaminwater
- Strawberry Kiwi Fruit Water by Glaceau
- Vitaminized Acai Blueberry Pomegranate by Sunny Select
- Dragonfruit Nutrient-Enhanced Water Beverage by Sprouts Farmer’s Market
- ExoticBerry by Activate Beauty
Does Vitamin Water Work?
Vitamin water provides your body with the necessary nutrients, electrolytes, vitamins (C and B vitamins like B3, B5, B6, and B12), and minerals (sodium, magnesium, and potassium). Not only are they a refreshing drink packed with vitamins and antioxidants, but they are also a great source of hydration, especially after a taxing workout.
On the downside, they contain artificial sweeteners, aka fructose and sucrose, sometimes just as much as in a can of regular coke.
Does Vitamin Water have Electrolytes?
Yes! Vitamin water does contain electrolytes, namely Sodium, Potassium, and magnesium. These electrolytes help:
- Your muscles and nerves function properly
- Balance pH level
- Balance water level
- Move nutrients into cells
Is Vitamin Water Good for You?
In short, no! Vitamin water is in no way good for your health.
Vitamin water is packed with nutrients such as electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals. No wonder they are branded healthy, but it comes with a catch. Most vitamin water products are loaded with added sugar. Sugar, especially fructose, is associated with many health problems when consumed excessively.
For example, consider the brand Vitaminwater, owned by Coca-Cola. One 120 oz bottle of Vitaminwater contains 32 grams of sugar, just about 50% fewer than regular coke, and as much as 120 calories. According to NHS UK, an adult can have no more than 30 grams of free sugars a day.
In the US, Vitaminwater uses crystalline fructose and sucrose as sweeteners. Crystalline Fructose is over 98% pure and quite damaging to your health. Excess consumption of fructose is associated with the following:
- Insulin resistance
- Overeating
- Leptin resistance
- Fatty liver disease
- High blood pressure
- Increased levels of VLDL cholesterol
The type of sweeter used varies between countries. For example, some countries use cane sugar which is 50% fructose and 50% glucose.
Alternatively, Vitaminwater has a ” Zero ” product line with no added sugar. Instead of fructose, it is sweetened with stevia and erythritol.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vitamin Water a rip-off?
Yes! Vitamin water is an absolute ripoff. Drink plain water to quench your thirst and get vitamins and minerals from healthy foods and supplements. If you are an athlete looking for electrolytes, you are better off with Gatorade.
Does Vitamin Water help lose weight?
No! It does the exact opposite vitamin water is linked to weight gain and obesity due to its sugar content. However, this does not apply to zero-calorie options such as Vitaminwater Zero.
Does Vitamin Water have Caffeine?
Vitamin water does not contain caffeine unless mentioned, like Coca-Cola’s vitamin water energy.
Conclusion
Is vitamin water vegan? The answer is a solid yes! But should you consume vitamin water just because it is vegan? Definitely no! Vitamin water is nothing but sugar water.
Originally devised as a healthy alternative to sugary sodas, vitamin water is no more than a fad backed by an excellent marketing strategy.
Coca-Cola, the manufacturer of Vitaminwater, was issued by a non-profit public interest group For their unwarranted help claims. Coca-Cola’s defense was staggering. Their lawyers claimed, “no consumer could reasonably be misled into thinking Vitaminwater was a healthy beverage.”
On a positive note, there are many other brands selling vitamin water other than Coca Cola meaning you have a wide variety of options in terms of flavors, nutrients, and sweeteners. Brands such as Eldorado, Sunny select, Sprouts, and Activate Beauty have fewer to no sugars.