Is Vitamin Water low calorie drink or a virtual soda-like drink in disguise? Vitamin Water made the news recently. Center for Science in the Public Interest sued Coca Cola, who owns Vitamin Water over deceptive and unsubstantiated claims on its  original Vitamin Water line of beverages.

Vitamin Water Zero was created to address this controversy over whether Vitamin water is good for you or has too many calories.

“Coke markets Vitamin Water as a healthful alternative to soda by labeling its several flavors with such health buzz words as “defense,” “rescue,” “energy,” and “endurance.” The company makes a wide range of dramatic claims, including that its drinks variously reduce the risk of chronic disease, reduce the risk of eye disease, promote healthy joints, and support optimal immune function.”

“In fact, according to CSPI nutritionists, the 33 grams of sugar in each bottle of Vitamin Water do more to promote obesity, diabetes, and other health problems than the vitamins in the drinks do to perform the advertised benefits listed on the bottles.”

Vitamin Water may prove to do more harm than good, because many of the various flavors are filled with sugar and caffeine that offsets any positive effect of vitamins. We recently posted an article about the wonders of sweeteners. One 500ml bottle of Vitamin Water had 8 teaspoons of sugar, 82ml of caffeine. The label indicates:

“…consumers not to drink more than two bottles a day because of the caffeine content (82 milligrams) and [the label] recommends it not be taken by children or pregnant or lactating women.”

Vitamin Water Zero

Apparently Vitamin Water is listening. In 2010, they introduced a new line of drinks for the weight-conscious market called Vitamin Water Zero that has 0 calories per eight-ounce serving. It uses sweeteners from Truvia, a high-purity extract of the stevia leaf.

Keep in mind switching to diet sodas has its downsides. A reminder that there is no free lunch.

Alternatives to Vitamin Water

How about sticking to plain old water in a BPA free water bottle?

Be sure to read Healthy Food Options to Avoid Chemicals