Are water flavor enhancers healthy?

If flavoring water helps you drink enough fluids, it can be a good choice. Photo from Tribune News Service

By Lori Zanteson
Posted on May 08, 2023

Hydration is essential for a healthy body and mind. Drinking enough water is the best way to hydrate. It sounds easy enough, yet plain water isn’t always appealing.

Enter water enhancers — liquids added to water to kick up the flavor, often without sugar or calories. Their good taste can make it enjoyable to drink enough water. But are they healthy?

Water flavorings are safe, as the ingredients are FDA-approved. But they can include chemical thickening or stabilizing agents, artificial colors and flavors, artificial sweeteners, and natural sweeteners, like stevia, which are not necessarily healthy.

They may also include added vitamins, electrolytes, caffeine and natural ingredients, such as ginseng, guarana and taurine, with claims that they can help boost wellness or alertness and help you meet the daily recommended requirements of certain vitamins, such as the B vitamins.

If flavoring water helps you drink enough fluids, it can be a good choice, as well as a better alternative to other less healthy sugary drinks. When choosing, check the label for any ingredients you might want to avoid.