Vitamin water is often touted as a healthy, replenishing way to rehydrate after a workout, but is it all it appears to be? While it is a refreshing and delicious beverage, you may wonder whether vitamin water contains all the vitamins and minerals necessary to do the job. If you, like many others, find yourself asking, “does vitamin water have electrolytes” you’re not alone! Let’s find out!
While vitamin water drinks contain electrolytes such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium, they are not present in amounts large enough to have a practical impact on hydration levels. In a direct comparison, a general multivitamin tablet can provide more electrolytes than vitamin water
Surprised? You’re not the only one. Many people assume vitamin water is chock full of healthy electrolytes. Find out more, plus a detailed breakdown of how many electrolytes are in vitamin water, in the following article. Read on.
Read my article on the 9 types of bottled water.
Table of Contents
Are There Any Electrolytes in Vitamin Water?
While vitamin water does have trace amounts of electrolytes, it does not contain enough to have any actual effect. See our following comparison to a general multivitamin in the following chart.
Comparison of electrolytes in one serving of Vitaminwater (20 oz) vs. one tablet of Gold A-Z Multivitamin.
| Electrolyte | Vitaminwater | Multivitamin |
| Calcium | Trace | 200mg |
| Potassium | Trace | 84mg |
| Magnesium | Trace | 40mg |
What does trace mean?
Trace means the amounts in the recipe are so insignificant the manufacturer isn’t required to list their quantity on the nutritional label.
In fact, even the Vitaminwater bottle labels state it is not a significant source of calcium and potassium!
Is it OK to drink vitamin water every day?
Prefer vitamin water to plain water? You might want to reconsider. While it is safe to drink vitamin water daily, there are some things you should know.
It is generally considered safe to drink vitamin water every day, provided you do not exceed the recommended daily amount of sugar and other additives listed on the label. Most brands of vitamin waters contain between 10-20 grams of sugar per bottle, which can add up quickly over time if consumed in excess.
While drinking vitamin water every day is technically safe, it should not be seen as a substitute for healthy hydration habits, such as:
- Drinking plenty of plain water.
- Eating foods high in natural electrolytes like fruits and vegetables.
- Taking a daily multivitamin with calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
It is always important to read labels carefully before making any dietary decisions to ensure you are taking your health and safety into consideration.
It is true that some brands of vitamin water contain small amounts of electrolytes. Some also contain small quantities of other vitamins and minerals, such as iron and zinc. Ultimately, in the long run, if you are looking for a daily beverage to provide you with an effective number of electrolytes or specific minerals, opt for another drink or supplement instead.
Is vitamin water healthier than plain water?
Vitamin water brands often market their products in a way that suggests they are a healthier alternative to plain water but are they?
No. Water is an essential nutrient that your body needs in order to keep functioning properly. It helps with digestion, circulation, and many other important processes without the addition of extra ingredients. Vitamin water contains added sugars and unnecessary ingredients, which are potentially harmful in large quantities.
Read my related articles on bottled water:
The Best Alkaline Water Bottle Brands to Try
Bottled Spring Water Brands: Which Ones Are Worth Trying?
Top 10 Bottled Mineral Water Brands of 2023
The Benefits of Drinking Plain Water Over Vitamin Water
- Water has no calories or sugar. This makes it a healthier option if you’re trying to maintain a balanced diet and keep off extra weight.
- Water can help flush out toxins from your body and keep you hydrated much longer than sugary drinks like vitamin water can.
- Vitamin water is much more expensive than water, making it a less cost-effective choice for keeping hydrated.
If you’re looking for an alternative to drinking plain water, then a better option would be plain sparkling water or unsweetened tea, as these options have zero calories and no added sugars or chemicals.
Is Vitamin Water Good for You?
Sorry vitamin water fans, your favorite beverage isn’t providing you with any significant health benefits. In fact, it may even harm your health.
Vitamin water contains sugars, artificial sweeteners, and additives which are widely recognized as detrimental to a healthy diet. The vitamin content of the beverage is typically low compared to sources of those nutrients, making them inadequate for providing significant amounts of essential vitamins and minerals.
At this point, you might question why vitamin water is widely known as a health drink.
The truth is that marketing companies never explicitly state the drinks are healthy.
In 2009 Coca-Cola was successfully sued for making false advertising about its Vitaminwater range. Their lawyers argued, “No consumer could reasonably be misled into thinking Vitamin water [is] a healthy beverage.”
What’s Wrong With Drinking Vitamin Water?
- Most vitamin waters can contain between 21 to 32 grams of sugar per serving, which is almost double the amount of sugar found in regular soda. The sugar content can vary depending on which brand you purchase, but on average, they are high in sugar.
- Some brands of vitamin water may add other ingredients, such as artificial sweeteners and preservatives, and these can be unhealthy if consumed in large amounts.
- Most vitamin waters do not contain significant amounts of beneficial essential vitamins and minerals.
When purchasing vitamin water, it’s important to check labels for added ingredients like artificial sweeteners or preservatives that can be potentially harmful when consumed in large quantities. Vitamin waters often lack the essential vitamins needed for a healthy diet, so make sure you’re consuming foods rich in vitamins and minerals each day.
Vitamin water does contain some electrolytes, such as magnesium and potassium. However, it is important to note that these electrolytes come in tiny amounts. You would be better off choosing a sports drink or coconut water, which has a much higher electrolyte content. If you are looking to replace electrolytes lost through intense physical activity, vitamin water may not be the best choice.