Nowadays, everyone wants to get more from the water that they drink in the hopes it will be advantageous to their health. So, big brands started popping up left, right, and center with water bottles that are meant to be high quality and better for you than tap water.
Enter: Smartwater. It is seen as being better than the rest when it comes to good, bottled water. However, we have to wonder if it is a popular brand of bottled water just because it is rumored to be good for you, or if it is popular because it really is good for you.
You deserve answers and we have got them, let’s get deep into the details of what Smartwater is actually selling you and if it really is all it is cracked up to be!
What Is Smart Water?
Let’s start simple, what is smart water? It is a popular brand of bottled water that sells distilled water that is made from spring water. The parent company of Smartwater is actually Coca-Cola (who doesn’t Coca-Cola own?) They do make claims to have smart hydration choices for everyone.
Smartwater brand distills their spring water in order to purify it, which involves a hydrologic cycle. The water is actually said to have a perfect pH level of 7, most tap water and some bottled water deviate from this, as pure water has a pH level of 7.
Smartwater is also said to have electrolytes in it, which helps to maintain the balance of fluid in the body. Water that contains electrolytes is actually said to be more hydrating than other water.
It is said to be sugar-free, gluten-free, GMO-free, sodium-free, and fluoride-free. It is meant to be free of artificial colors and flavors too, as well as allergens such as tree nuts, peanuts, milk, eggs, shellfish, fish, wheat, and soy. This should apply to water in general though.
However, water from plastic bottles can easily end up with harmful chemicals, fluoride, and sodium in them, and a lot of flavored water contains added sugars, which is kind of against the whole purpose of a healthy beverage.
They do sell their water in 100% recyclable bottles, however, but a lot of the competition does this as well.
What Smart Water Is There? Are They Good For You?
Smartwater sell 4 primary types of water drinks, by default, their drinks are typically made from spring water that has undergone vapor distillation
Smartwater +
Their Smartwater+ Clarity is bottled water that has green tea extracts and ginseng extracts, as well as added electrolytes. These electrolytes come from magnesium chloride, potassium bicarbonate, and calcium chloride as well.
If you know about Ginseng you will already know how good it is, if not… Ginseng is an antioxidant that has been discovered to be brilliant for reducing inflammation and strengthening the immune system.
Green tea is also high in antioxidants as well, and those who drink it may even have a longer lifespan than those who do not.
That being said, the amount in this water is not going to be high enough to be super significant. It is unlikely that you will ONLY drink smart water. If you want extra nutrition, just drink green tea!
Smartwater Alkaline
Smartwater’s Alkaline water has been ionized to be at a pH of 9+, which is considered to be basic. However, it can deviate as minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium can make a difference.
Drinking alkaline water has become more popular over the years, as it might help to ease symptoms of acid reflux, most of the other benefits, like bone health, anti-aging, and fighting off cancer, are all things that are yet to be proven. It is healthy but not really beneficial.
Alkaline water could act as a buffer during physical activities, so athletes can perform for longer by offsetting the lactic acid build-up, which is what makes cramping happen, as well as activity fatigue.
That being said, most people would just add potassium bicarbonate or baking soda to their drinks to do this!
Smartwater Flavors
Smartwater also offers flavored drinks as well, these go through vapor distillation processes. This process and the added electrolytes are the only real difference between Smart Water flavored drinks and the other flavored waters out there.
Do remember that most other brands will have added sugars to their flavored waters, so you should always read the ingredients on the labels first.
These drinks come in different flavors such as:
- Strawberry blackberry.
- Pineapple kiwi.
- Watermelon mint.
- Cucumber lime.
Their flavored waters are said to be made with natural flavors but they do not say where these originated from. Typically, research states that natural flavors are okay to consume.
However, if you are not a fan of natural flavors, you can flavor smart water yourself by adding it to smoothies.
Smartwater Antioxidants
Smartwater antioxidants are said to be infused with selenium which is an antioxidant, much like other Smartwaters; though, it also contains electrolytes and is vapor distilled.
Selenium is a very strong antioxidant, considered to be even stronger than vitamins A, C, and E. It might help to protect DNA from free-radical damage, and even reduce cancer risk and other diseases.
However, the amount a bottle of this SmartWater gives you is low. It is a good product but the best way to add antioxidants to your diet is to eat a wider range of fruits and veg.
Are There Health Benefits To Smartwater? Is It Good For You?
Smart water is good for you because drinking water is good for you. However, if you struggle to drink the water due to the taste, then smart water might be the ticket, as most people find the taste to be pleasant, making drinking water more enjoyable.
However, smart water has no major health benefits, no more than normal tap water or other water does. Their main goal seems to be to create yummy water that helps you hydrate.
The difference between smart water and mineral water is the distillation process when they remove the minerals and then re-add them. While doing this may make the minerals cleaner, it does not mean that this water is any healthier.
Does Smart Water “Make” You Smarter?
Smartwater doesn’t make you smarter, the name is such because it is meant to make regular water ‘smarter’, not those who drink it.
Saying that, however, being hydrated does improve cognitive function, including vigilance and memory, so staying hydrated can stave off headaches, fatigue, and anxiety.
So it won’t make you smarter, but it will help you feel better overall.
Is Smart Water Better For You Than Tap?
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As SmartWater is vapor-distilled it may be better than tap water, as heavy metals, impurities and such have been removed so it is cleaner, and with added electrolytes, it is more hydrating.
However, it is not essential, any good water filter will remove impurities and you can just squeeze a lemon or lime into your water for electrolytes.
Is Smartwater Healthier Than Bottled And Spring Waters?
Typically, bottled water will not have electrolytes or minerals, aside from mineral water. This makes it more beneficial for hydration when you have done intense exercise.
However, it is not the only bottled water you can choose from for this, Smartwater is not more beneficial or that different from any of its competition.
Smart Water Alternatives
Spring water from general bottled water brands will also have hydrating minerals in them, the same goes for alkaline water.
You could also add some ingredients to your own tap water for this effect, such as lemon, mint, and lime. You needn’t do this though, as there is little more to water than basic hydration.
FAQs:
Is Smart Water Better For You Than Regular Water?
Smart water may be better than tap water, due to the electrolytes, however, you could get this from squeezing a lemon into a glass of tap water.
Is It Safe To Drink Smartwater?
It is safe to drink Smartwater, just as it is to drink any other water.
Can You Drink Too Much Smartwater?
Smartwater is just water with electrolytes and minerals, you cannot really drink too much of this unless you are severely overhydrating.
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