# Water Enhancers **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 26, 2015, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-enhancers/726273 "2015-07-26T23:00:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2015, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-enhancers/726273/1 "2015-07-26T23:00:31Z")
I’m sure you’ve seen “water enhancers” like Mio on the store shelves, little squeeze bottles of flavoring. I’ve tried a couple - I seem to favor the “berry pomegranate” varieties. My spouse likes the lemonade variations. A lot of the appeal is convenience - they don’t take up much space, don’t require refrigeration (unlike the fruit juice I used to use to flavor water), and I can use more or less depending on my mood. A couple times a week I use one to make my dinner beverage as opposed to drinking soda or just plain water (which I drink a fair amount of anyway during the course of the day). Of course, there are all manner of on-line articles on them, from “they’re great, they promote hydration!” to “OMG they’re going to kill you!!!” I’m making the wild assumption that occasional/moderate consumption is OK, but like a lot of things excessive amounts would be bad for you. What do you all think of them? Tasty/not tasty? Godsend or Satan Spew? Latest over-hyped marketing fad or useful option? ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2015, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-enhancers/726273/2 "2015-07-26T23:10:16Z")
I’ve tried a few, most I disliked. But I did find a couple I sort of fancied. I’m not all that fond of just plain old water, I prefer a little flavour. So it’s handy to keep in my bag, or when I travel. Sometimes water is the only choice, or all the other choices are outrageously expensive, like in airports. It doesn’t seem all that unhealthy to me. But I avoid the brightly coloured, heavy on the food colouring, ones. The two I prefer are: Minute Maid, Tropical Mango and Dasani, Cherry Pomegranate, neither of which have sugar. They are not cheap though, and there are so many flavours and brands out there now, it’s confusing. Probably the first three or four I tried I didn’t care for, but I’m glad I persisted! ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2015, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-enhancers/726273/3 "2015-07-27T01:57:01Z")
I’d never heard of these… I’ve been fond of powdered drink mixes forever and ever, going back to Kool-Aid and even Fizzies. (I miss Fizzies!) This sounds like a fun product, or at least it has the potential. I’ll be looking out for it! P.S. Son of a Gun! I just Googled, and Fizzies are still around! Whee! That’s the best news I’ve had this whole day long! ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2015, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-enhancers/726273/4 "2015-07-27T02:16:53Z")
For me, it’s the latest over-hyped marketing fad. “Promote hydration”? Please. If you’re using it because you love the taste and want it as a treat, fine, but to me, it’s just money spent on empty calories. From Wikipedia: “MiO is listed as containing less than 2% natural flavors. Other listed ingredients are citric acid, propylene glycol, malic acid, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, potassium citrate, Allura Red AC 40, Brilliant Blue FCF 1 and potassium sorbate.” Aren’t you the same gal who grows her own produce and who wrote about the inadvisability of putting toxin-laden makeup on faces? ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2015, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-enhancers/726273/5 "2015-07-27T02:20:02Z")
I used to use the single serving powdered enhancers, but prefer the liquids for the reasons you mentioned. I like the lemonade based flavors as well as some of the flavored teas. ---
**Author:** ![sparky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2015, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-enhancers/726273/6 "2015-07-27T02:22:37Z")
Those are great with a water bladder at masking the plastic taste. Just a squirt makes a big improvement to my 3L bladder. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2015, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-enhancers/726273/7 "2015-07-27T02:31:46Z")
Some flavors work, some are og-awful. Mix it in a water bottle. pour it into a glass of ice, and its ok with lunch or an afternoon water break. I don’t/won’t drink soda, so it works for me. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2015, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-enhancers/726273/8 "2015-07-27T02:53:13Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > From Wikipedia: “MiO is listed as containing less than 2% natural flavors. Other listed ingredients are citric acid, propylene glycol, malic acid, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, potassium citrate, Allura Red AC 40, Brilliant Blue FCF 1 and potassium sorbate.” Aren’t you the same gal who grows her own produce and who wrote about the inadvisability of putting toxin-laden makeup on faces? Well, yes, however, I used Mio as an _example_, mainly because it’s been heavily advertised. I actually prefer a house-brand with far fewer tongue-twisting chemicals. Although, to be fair, citric acid is vitamin C, sucralose is a form of sugar that your body can’t break down (making it non-caloric), malic acid occurs naturally in living things, including your own body, so really, quite a few of those ingredients aren’t as scary or unnatural as their chemical names might lead you to believe. On the flip side, you don’t _need_ the artificial colors. Other stuff acts as a preservative, which is why the stuff doesn’t need refrigeration, so if you want the portable-anywhere-flavoring you’re going have to use _something_ to prevent the stuff going off. As for growing my own produce - that has to do with economics, not any particular romance with organic food production. I don’t _purchase_ “organic” (in the production sense - all food is, after all, chemically organic) because it’s way too expensive and not inherently superior to modern agricultural methods. Also, note my comments about moderation. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2015, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-enhancers/726273/9 "2015-07-27T03:53:55Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > For me, it’s the latest over-hyped marketing fad. “Promote hydration”? Please. If you’re using it because you love the taste and want it as a treat, fine, but to me, it’s just money spent on empty calories. Most of the ones I’ve seen are zero calories. We usually do the little foil tubes of powder though; can’t speak for the liquid concentrate stuff. Depending on the brand, you can get them for 10-15¢ a tubes (in a box of eight or ten) so, combined with tap water, they make for a cheap and easy way to drink something calorie free and more flavorful than plain H2O. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2015, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-enhancers/726273/10 "2015-07-27T04:53:52Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Well, yes, however, I used Mio as an _example_, mainly because it’s been heavily advertised. I actually prefer a house-brand with far fewer tongue-twisting chemicals. Although, to be fair, citric acid is vitamin C, sucralose is a form of sugar that your body can’t break down (making it non-caloric), malic acid occurs naturally in living things, including your own body, so really, quite a few of those ingredients aren’t as scary or unnatural as their chemical names might lead you to believe. On the flip side, you don’t _need_ the artificial colors. Other stuff acts as a preservative, which is why the stuff doesn’t need refrigeration, so if you want the portable-anywhere-flavoring you’re going have to use _something_ to prevent the stuff going off. > > As for growing my own produce - that has to do with economics, not any particular romance with organic food production. I don’t _purchase_ “organic” (in the production sense - all food is, after all, chemically organic) because it’s way too expensive and not inherently superior to modern agricultural methods. > > Also, note my comments about moderation. Well, then, don’t ask for opinions. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2015, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-enhancers/726273/11 "2015-07-27T06:27:33Z")
I take it these are pretty much the same as the cordial/squash that we drink in the UK? The Wikipedia page makes it sound that way. If so, I’ve been drinking them for decades. Hell, as I type (in another European country) I’m having a Wild Berries flavoured one with my toast for breakfast. ---
**Author:** ![TheChileanBlob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thechileanblob/32/435_2.png) [@TheChileanBlob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheChileanBlob)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2015, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-enhancers/726273/12 "2015-07-27T06:45:29Z")
I like the powdered ones, specifically the caffeinated Kroger brand. I’ve tried the Mio type, but I don’t like that you can’t really get a measured amount each time (well, I guess you could squirt it into a measuring spoon), and I feel kind of weird about its freshness, and also I have an irrational fear of sucking germs up into the bottle. You know, like how you can suck fire up into the lighter fluid bottle. Plus, you can add vodka to the caffeinated kind and make homemade Four Loko! ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2015, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-enhancers/726273/13 "2015-07-27T06:45:30Z")
I haven’t tried them. They seem like a non-caloric way to substitute diet soda, so I guess they’re not all bad, probably a lot less of the “bad” stuff than in a can of diet whatever. But I’m fine with plain water most of the time. I drink coffee to start my day and I keep cold brewed iced teas of varying flavors in the fridge in the summer. Little containers with flavor squirts for water are just something I don’t care to spend money on, I have plenty of other grocery stuff I spend too much for! ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2015, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-enhancers/726273/14 "2015-07-27T07:41:02Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > I’d never heard of these… I’ve been fond of powdered drink mixes forever and ever, going back to Kool-Aid and even Fizzies. (I miss Fizzies!) > > This sounds like a fun product, or at least it has the potential. I’ll be looking out for it! > > P.S. Son of a Gun! I just Googled, and Fizzies are still around! Whee! That’s the best news I’ve had this whole day long! At which stores? I’m an instant gratification kind of guy. If I have to wait a day or two to have the Fizzies in my possession, I’d just as soon skip it. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2015, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-enhancers/726273/15 "2015-07-27T10:57:56Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > Well, then, don’t ask for opinions. Why not? All I did was give my take on the issue, that doesn’t mean I’m not interested in what other people think, whether they agree with me or not. Heck, sometimes I even change my mind based on new information! ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2015, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-enhancers/726273/16 "2015-07-27T11:04:05Z")
> [@amanset](#): > > I take it these are pretty much the same as the cordial/squash that we drink in the UK? I had to look that up - yes, they do have many similarities. I think the “water enhancers” may be more concentrated, but not having had UK style squash I can’t say for sure. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2015, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-enhancers/726273/17 "2015-07-27T13:54:13Z")
Pretty sure “water enhancers” aren’t a whole lot different, if at all, from sugarless Kool-Aid, with the exception that you can add it in droplet form, as opposed to having to make a half-gallon at a time. Which ultimately means that the big sticking point is the artificial sweeteners and dyes, and in that regard, they’re not much different than diet soda. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2015, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-enhancers/726273/18 "2015-07-27T14:11:40Z")
I like them. I’ll often find the discontinued ones at the dollar store, which is a mixed blessing…cheap, but that means I’m bound to get hooked on a flavor that I won’t be able to get again. Hit the Amish Salvage store last week and literally loaded up a basket at $0.49 each! I do have some vague undefined uneasiness about artificial sweeteners, even though I know that’s stupid. But if the guilt weighs heavy, I just grab Skinny Girl or Stur and bask in my all natural Stevia sweetened superiority for a bit. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2015, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-enhancers/726273/19 "2015-07-27T14:14:03Z")
Oh, forgot to add, just in case the water enhancer industry is lurking in this thread… Could y’all please bring back the clear ones? They were out fit about 9 months a couple of years ago. I’m not scared of dyes, but I don’t really like going around looking like a Kool-Aid lip stained 8 year old. And my counters thank you, as well. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2015, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-enhancers/726273/20 "2015-07-27T14:15:06Z")
(_sigh_ And while we’re at it, Tapatalk, could you please return my edit button?) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-enhancers/726273.md?page=2)