Author: Veronica J. Oates, Ph.D., RD, Family and Consumer Sciences, Tennessee State University, TN Cooperative Extension

Some bottled water companies now add dietary supplements such as vitamins to their water. Other companies make powdered dietary supplements that are designed to be added to your water. In addition to vitamins and minerals, these products may contain other ingredients such as herbs. Being aware of the ingredients and the affect they can have on your body can help you make informed decisions about what to drink.

When choosing between vitamin waters, powdered supplements or plain water consider the following:

1. Sugar and calories – Look at the Nutrition Facts or ingredient label to know if the product has added sugar. Sugar adds calories to water, which can lead to unwanted weight gain. Remember plain water has zero calories.
   
2. Vitamins at 100% DV – The best way to get your daily value of vitamins and minerals is by eating a variety of foods in the appropriate amounts. Vitamins and minerals from food are much better absorbed.
   
3. Herbals and botanicals – Many bottled waters advertise that they contain herbals like echinacea, or ginseng, most of these herbals are in relatively small amounts in the water and have little to no effect on your body.

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