Vitamin water: What's behind the hype?
22.6.2023
Translation: machine translated
A healthy, colourful taste experience - that's what so-called vitamin waters promise you. Find out here whether they deliver and what else you can expect from these drinks.
Vitamin water: Originally, it was mainly competitive athletes who turned to the liquid nutrient booster. However, the often colourful drinks have long since spilled over into mainstream society. They can now be found in almost every supermarket. The virtual shelves at Galaxus have also been stocked up with functional water. For example, with Glacéau Vitaminwater, which you can now find in the shop. Or with other brands.
Sensual names such as Think and Focus hint at the revitalising source of energy inside the bottle walls. A mobilising elixir of life - sometimes with peach, selenium and manganese, sometimes with citrus and vitamin C or with rhubarb and all the B vitamins. Doesn't sound wrong at first, in my opinion. But it doesn't necessarily explain the hype surrounding vitamin water. And its persistence.
What the hype ...?!
The question of why is partly answered by numerous influencers. They advertise vitamin water or have even developed their own drink - such as Vitavate. And many of us emulate the lifestyle that the beautiful and successful set an example for us on their social media channels.
In addition, these products suggest a deficiency: namely a lack of nutrients. However, people who eat a healthy diet have no need to compensate for a supposed deficiency with drinks. But advertising messages convey the opposite. And of course, such drinks are a tasty alternative to water, especially in the hot season. During the summer months, the fruity thirst quenchers move to the more prominent, higher-selling places in the supermarket and present themselves as a welcome refreshment from the chiller cabinet.
Vitamin waters are therefore mixed drinks - consisting of a (supposedly) health-conscious lifestyle, fancy colours and exotic flavours. Their enduring popularity shows that this combination works.
Not all vitamins can be utilised
However, there are also critical voices. The Consumer Advice Centre, for example, warns against overdosing with "high doses of isolated vitamins and minerals". It is much healthier to make your own vitamin water from fruits and herbs instead of buying ready-made versions - which often contain many artificial additives such as sugar or sweeteners.
Source: Maike Jensen
Many other experts also see no positive effect from such drinks. "We know from studies that vitamin supplements do not provide the same benefits as vitamins from a healthy diet, as many other plant components are also relevant," explains Hamburg-based nutritionist Viola Andresen in a NDR interview.
Also relevant: Vitamins D and E are fat-soluble substances. This means that your body also needs fat to be able to utilise them optimally - so you would have to eat a piece of cheese at the same time, for example. According to the expert, it makes no sense to take these vitamins only dissolved in water, as they do not develop their effect in this way. Vitamins B6 and B12 are also sensitive to light. The fact that they are sold in transparent bottles in supermarkets and are presumably not stored in the dark by most consumers at home is detrimental to their quality.
Thirst quencher yes, lifesaver no
Of course you can indulge in the fun. The flavour certainly makes a difference and offers a welcome change from a glass of water, especially on hot days. And if you feel more energised after a sip of these power drinks: all the better! However, vitamin waters cannot compensate for a lack of nutrients or even replace a healthy diet.
Cover picture: Maike Jensen
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