a couple of years have gone by since the center for science in the public interest first filed a complaint against the parent company (coca-cola) that manufactures glaceau vitamin water. and now the washington-based national consumers league has joined in by filing a formal complaint with the federal trade commission calling advertising and labeling claims on vitamin water products “dangerously misleading. ” as if the “names” of the various vitamin water flavors like “revive ” “focus ” or “defense” weren’t misleading enough health claims made in advertising have ranged from “supporting optimal immune function” to “reducing the risk of age-related eye disease. ” hopefully we all know that fortifying sugar water with various vitamins and minerals isn’t really going to keep us from getting sick or reduce the risk of disease. the best thing we can do for most of these health concerns is to eat a healthful diet rich in whole foods and plant foods get plenty of rest and wash our hands frequently. for example vitamin water’s focus drink features “vitamin a and lutein ” according to the label on the bottle. if you want some lutein one of the antioxidant-acting carotenoid phytochemicals that has been mentioned in research lately just eat some dark green leafy veggies green peppers corn avocados oranges tomatoes or parsley! and instead of drinking their defense drink with vitamin c and zinc just eat an orange broccoli (and other dark leafy green veggies) brussels sprouts berries kiwi cantaloupe papaya or mango for the vitamin c and some lean meats crab nuts and whole grains for zinc. here’s what we do know about glaceau vitamin water: each 20-ounce bottle is labeled as containing 2. 5 servings crystalline fructose is the true main ingredient accounting for about 33 grams of sugar if you drink the whole bottle. each 20-ounce bottle totals 125 calories. the bottom line: keep your eyes open when it comes to manufactured products making health claims especially those fortified with nutrients. remember that the best water to drink is still good old h20 — not water pumped with 50 calories worth of sugar per eight-ounce serving.
what should i know about vitamin water?