Is Smart Water Good For You? (According to an RDN)

In a world where health conscious choices are pursued by many, the concept of “Smart water” has gained significant attention. There are a variety of different bottled water companies that you likely see in the grocery store and one of them is “Smart water”.

Companies tend to find ways to market their product as better or more healthy than other similar products. But, is Smart Water really a “smarter” choice for your hydration needs, or is it just another trendy product with a catchy name?

In this article, we are going to discuss what Smart Water is, how it’s different from regular tap water, potential benefits and drawbacks. By the end of the article, hopefully you’ll have the knowledge to make an informed decision on Smart Water.

🤔 What is Smart Water?

Definition and Explanation

Smart water is essentially vapor distilled bottled water that has been enhanced with electrolytes and minerals, which are claimed to provide additional hydration benefits beyond those of regular water.

Key Components and Features

Smart water typically contains electrolytes such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium in the form of calcium chloride, magnesium chloride and potassium bicarbonate.

Some of their products may also include flavorings or additives to enhance taste and appeal.

Examples of Popular Smart Water Products

• Smart water original is vapor distilled water with added electrolytes for taste. However, it’s not considered a sports drink.
• Smart water alkaline with antioxidant is smart water but it has been ionized to a pH of 9.5 and selenium has also been added for its antioxidant properties.
• Smart water antioxidant is smart water with added selenium for antioxidant properties.
• Smart water flavors is smart water infused with “natural flavors”. Smart water flavored drinks include passionfruit mango, cucumber lime and strawberry blackberry.

🔎 How is it Made?

Smart water states it is produced through a distillation process known as vapor distillation. Smart water first collects their source water (which is unknown).

For all we know the source water could be from a spring or even tap water. From there, they put the source water through the vapor distillation process.

Vapor distillation is a process where the water is heated to become steam. During this process it naturally removes any impurities including electrolytes or other substances.

Once the steam is collected it is then condensed into water. After that, the smart water company adds back electrolytes for taste like calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, and potassium bicarbonate as well as other additives as mentioned above.

🧪 Nutritional Composition

Comparison with Regular Water

Smart water is often marketed as being superior to regular bottled water due to its added electrolytes and minerals. However, it’s essential to understand how they compare nutritionally:

• Calories: Smart water and regular water are both calorie-free.
• Electrolytes : Smart water and regular tap water both contain electrolytes.
• Other minerals: Smart water and regular tap water both contain minerals like calcium and magnesium.
• Additives: In smart water antioxidant selenium is added and is likely higher in selenium than normal tap water. Additionally, the alkaline smart water product is also likely more alkaline than normal tap water.

The Role of Electrolytes in Hydration

Electrolytes play a crucial role in maintaining fluid balance and nerve function in the body. They are essential for proper muscle contraction and nerve signaling.

While you can obtain electrolytes from your diet, smart water claims to provide an extra source to support hydration.

However, it doesn’t provide the same amount of electrolytes that a sports drink. Ideally, if looking for electrolytes after exercise I would recommend a low sugar electrolyte drink instead of Smart Water.

🩺 Health Benefits of Smart Water

So, is smart water good for you? While Smart Water is not “bad” for you, there is little evidence that demonstrates Smart Water has additional health benefits compared to your own tap water.

Enhanced Taste and Appeal

Many people find the taste of smart water more appealing than regular water due to the added minerals.

This can encourage individuals to drink more water particularly if their tap water doesn’t taste great. Remaining properly hydrated day to day is beneficial for overall health.

Not only that, but if you’re looking for a low sugar low calorie drink to replace soft drinks like soda, Smart Water flavors product may be a healthier alternative.

❌ Drawbacks and Concerns

Cost Compared to Regular Bottled Water

Drinking Smart water is often more expensive than regular bottled water. Considering that most people can obtain sufficient electrolytes from their diet, the added cost may not always be justified.

Environmental Impact of Single-Use Plastic Bottles

The single-use plastic bottles used for smart water can contribute to plastic waste and harm the environment. It’s essential to consider the environmental impact when choosing bottled water products.

Controversies Surrounding Added Ingredients and Claims

Some smart water products contain additives and flavorings, which may not align with everyone’s dietary preferences.

Additionally, some of the claims made by smart water brands have been subject to scrutiny and controversy.

🔀 Alternatives to Smart Water

If you’re unsure whether if drinking smart water is the right choice for you, consider these alternatives:

• Drinking plain, filtered tap water: Plain drinking water from the tap remains a highly effective and cost-efficient way to stay hydrated.
• Homemade electrolyte drinks: You can create your own electrolyte-rich beverages using natural ingredients like coconut water, lemon, and sea salt.
• Natural sources of electrolytes: Incorporate foods like bananas, leafy greens, and nuts into your diet to naturally boost your electrolyte intake.

📖 Making an Informed Choice

When deciding whether to drink smart water into your hydration routine, consider your personal hydration needs, taste preferences, budget, and environmental concerns.

It’s essential to make an informed choice that aligns with your overall health and lifestyle goals.

📑 Conclusion

In the realm of hydration options, smart water is presented as a choice. So, is smart water good for you?

While it offers potential benefits, such as improved taste, there is no evidence to suggest Smart Water provides additional benefits when compared to normal tap water.

Smart Water also comes with drawbacks, including cost and environmental concerns. Ultimately, whether smart water is good for you depends on your individual needs and priorities.

At the end of the day, the biggest thing is making sure you stay adequately hydrated everyday. By understanding its composition and evaluating the scientific evidence, you can make a decision that aligns with your well-being and values.

❔ Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Healthiest Water to Drink?

The healthiest water to drink is just clean drinking water! As long as it’s not contaminated, all water will provide the same hydrating benefits and function in the body the same.

However, it is important to recognize that some filtered or distilled water products may remove the minerals naturally found in the water which provide some benefit.

Luckily, if you eat a balanced diet, this type of filtered water shouldn’t lead to any nutrient deficiencies.

Is Smart Water Really Tap Water?

Smart water does not disclose where it’s sourced water is from. It could be pure water sourced from the tap, well or spring water. Who knows!

Is Smart Water Better For You Than Gatorade?

Smart water is zero sugar and calorie free, while the original gatorade is fairly high in sugar and calories. If you’re trying to monitor sugar intake and your weight, Smart Water or even regular tap water would be a preferable option.

However, as mentioned in the article above there is no evidence to support added health benefits from drinking smart water vs. regular tap water.