Water flavorings can improve the enjoyment of drinking water. Certain water flavorings contain electrolytes, which can help replace sweat losses and, in the case of sodium-containing products, can help the body retain more water for rapid rehydration.
Water is required for all bodily activities, as the body is composed of 50-60% water. If you want to feel your best, Hydration is essential. Even a 2% decrease in Hydration has been shown to have an effect on cognition, memory, mood, and reaction speed. Dehydration puts further stress on the body and may alter blood sugar balance, blood pressure, and hormone regulation. [Hydration is] critical for overall health and well-being.
Daily water requirements vary from person to person, but adults should drink between 11.5 and 15.5 cups per day. Some people are more susceptible to dehydration and may require even more water. According to experts, these groups include athletes or those who sweat more, breastfeeding mothers, and people who are persistently anxious.
Water’s importance is obvious, yet many people struggle to meet their hydration goals, especially if they dislike the taste of plain water.
We examined ingredient quality, flavor, convenience of use, and nutritional content, including the amount of added Sugar, sweeteners, and electrolytes, when selecting our top water flavorings.
Here are our recommendations for the best water flavorings on the market.
This post contains referral links for products we love. Staying Fit With Aeran earns a small commission on these links at no cost to you, and the links will always be marked with an asterisk *.
Real Lemon Crystallized Lemon Packets are the best overall. *
Pros
- no added sugar or artificial sweeteners
- Prepared with fresh lemons
- Affordable
Cons
- tart tasting
Real Lemon Crystallized Lemon Packets are our top option because they are inexpensive, practical, easy to use, and created from one basic ingredient—lemons!
Lemon is one of the traditional water flavorings, but you might not always have a fresh lemon on hand or want to keep slices in your luggage to add to a water bottle on the go. Real Lemon Crystallized Lemon Packets are an elegant solution to this quandary.
Each packet contains tiny crystals created from real lemon juice and oils. There are no artificial flavors or sweeteners added, and it is non-GMO and gluten-free. Each packet has no calories or Sugar and provides 25% of your daily vitamin C needs.
With each serving, you essentially add the equivalent of one fresh lemon slice to your drink. The only disadvantage is that it has a strong tart flavor, which some individuals may dislike. The price was around $14.00
Ideal for Athletes: Tablets of Nuun Sport Electrolyte Drink *
Pros
- Informed Choice verified
- Contains five electrolytes for athletic performance.
Cons
- Stevia is present
It is critical to restoring the water and electrolytes that athletes lose via perspiration for maximum performance and recovery. Nuun Sport, an Informed Choice verified brand, is a scientifically tested product for both recreational and elite athletes. It’s simple to put in a water bottle and drink during a game or after a long run. These tablets come in a handy, reusable carrying tube that fits neatly into your training bag or jogging belt. Nuun pills contain salt, potassium, magnesium, and calcium, which are all critical electrolytes for Hydration and cell function.
The tablets come in a variety of tastes and can be purchased with or without caffeine. They are kosher and gluten-free, with dextrose, avocado oil, stevia leaf extract, and beetroot powder for color as the only additional ingredients.
Please keep in mind that Nuun contains two sweeteners: stevia and dextrose (Sugar). The sugar level is relatively low, which may be preferable for some, but athletes who exercise for a long period of time, at higher intensities, or in hot weather may require more Sugar to effectively rehydrate. 2 If you are one of these athletes, you should couple this beverage with a carb-rich meal or snack.
The pills contain 300 mg of sodium per serving, which is excellent for Hydration during and after strenuous exercise but is excessive for those who are not physically active. As a result, we recommend this water flavoring product primarily for those who are physically active or who require more salt.
At the time of writing, the price was $26 for 40 tablets ($0.65 / count).
Fruit Juice of the Year: Natalie’s Blood Orange Juice *
Pros
- Fruit juice in its purest form
- There are no preservatives.
- Vitamin C-rich
Cons
- The juice must be refrigerated
Sometimes the tastiest water flavorings are already in your fridge or on your breakfast table. A dab of freshly squeezed fruit juice in a glass of water might add just enough taste to help you accomplish your hydration goals. Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Company produces a wide range of 100% pure fruit juices, and the blood orange flavor is particularly vibrant and tasty, making it an excellent water addition.
There are no preservatives, artificial ingredients, or extra sugars in this non-GMO juice. Blood oranges and their juice are high in vitamin C and anthocyanins, which are powerful antioxidants.
Prepare your flavored water by pouring a quarter cup of fruit juice into a glass or water bottle and filling the rest with water or seltzer and ice. The key specifications below are based on this recipe, and a full cup of this juice contains 24 grams of Sugar.
Hint Fruit Infused Water Flavorings is the best ready-to-drink option *
Pros
- There are no added artificial sweeteners or Sugar.
- Grab-and-go
Cons
- Environmentally unfriendly
Hint is simply pure water with natural flavors added. It relies on natural ingredients for flavor and has no sugar or preservatives. It is kosher, vegan, and gluten-free by nature. You’ll notice that, like flavored seltzer water, the flavor lacks any sweetness, which you may or may not appreciate.
Their primary product is flavored still water, but they now offer bubbling variants, caffeine from coffee beans, and even a kid-friendly brand.
Because Hint is ready-to-drink, you will continue to purchase plastic bottles, which may not be the most cost-effective or environmentally good option. They do, however, provide larger sizes that have a reduced environmental impact and are less expensive than their smaller options.
At the time of publication, the price was $16 ($0.08 / FL Oz).
One of the Best water flavorings when combined with collagen: Hydration of Vital Proteins with Collagen *
Pros
- It may help to maintain healthy skin, hair, nails, and joints.
- Protein is present.
- Vitamins and minerals are present.
Cons
- Vegans and vegetarians should avoid this product.
Collagen has been found in everything from smoothies to chips, and it seemed only a matter of time until it made its way into the water. Collagen is a protein found in numerous bodily structural components, including hair, skin, nails, and tendons. While evidence on the benefits of collagen on joint health and aging is mixed, it does appear to have some promise.
Vital Proteins, a name familiar with grass-fed, pasture-raised bovine collagen, has created Hydration** + Collagen water. This beverage contains 5 grams of Vit C, collagen protein, which acts as an antioxidant and aids in collagen integration, and B vitamins, which promote general cellular health. It also includes trace levels of sodium, magnesium, and calcium, which may aid with Hydration.
One of the advantages of a beverage with a small quantity of added protein is that it’s very useful for those who have food-based protein aversions and struggle to consume enough protein, such as pregnant women, elderly adults, or people who are ill. Because it contains collagen derived from cows, this product is not suited for vegans or vegetarians.
At the time of writing, the price was $9 for seven packets ($3.33 / oz).
Excellent with monk fruit: SweetLeaf Organic Monk Fruit Squeezable Sweetener *
Pros
- 0 calories
- Extremely inexpensive
- Simple to carry in your bag
Cons
- Not suited for people who are allergic to specific foods.
If you are watching your added sugar intake but still want to enjoy a sweet beverage, you might want to try water flavoring with monk fruit. Monk fruit is a non-nutritive, non-caloric sweetener extracted from a Chinese plant. It is 300 times sweeter than sucrose, so a little goes a long way!
Sweet Leaf Liquid Monk Fruit Drops come in a compact squeeze bottle that contains 80 servings (one squeeze equals one serving). Orange passion fruit, strawberry guava, and even caramel macchiato and English toffee are among the wonderful tastes available. Please keep in mind that while the product contains natural fruit tastes, not all of the variants will be safe for people with food allergies.
Click Here to Read Part 2 on Water Flavorings