Health and wellness is a multi-billion dollar industry, which to some extent is encouraging. People are looking for ways to improve their physical and mental fitness more and more every year. Unfortunately, as a multi-billion dollar industry, businesses are often under immense pressure to create the new “it” product to meet corporate financial projections. Therefore, as a consumer, it is crucial to analyze the claims made by health products to ensure no one is getting duped.

As a cautious consumer, you likely already watch out for fads, like seasonal diet or detox trends. Many companies pushing these products do not care about the science or the long-term effects of implementing these fads. Despite the sometimes nasty and fraudulent dietary claims, one product has remained a consistent aid in the fight for better nutrition, especially in terms of hydration: sparkling water. 

Understanding the Popularity of Sparkling Water

Sparkling water has been around for decades, and its core marketing tactic is to present itself as a healthy alternative to other carbonated beverages like soda. The tactic appears to be working, and consumers seem more receptive now than ever before. Popular soda brands continue to see a 5% annual decline, while the fizzy low-to-no calorie beverage continues to gain traction.

Currently, sparkling water brands, such as Droplet, are pushing superfood-infused water. The brands are attempting to boost the effectiveness of their already popular vitamin, electrolyte, and mineral-infused drinks. However, as a savvy consumer, is there any reason to spend more money on these revamped beverages.

Superfood-Infused Water

Some sparkling water brands have started selling and marketing beverages made with ginger, passion fruit, reishi mushrooms, and several other so-called “superfoods.” The companies claim the infused water provides mental and physical health benefits but is there any truth to the claim.

As with most claims about superfoods, the research is a little thin and circumstantial. Several studies claim some ingredients can help treat specific conditions and disorders, like anxiety or fatigue. Still, these same studies do not speak to the efficacy of these ingredients as treatments.

It is necessary to point out that no sparkling water brand describes their drinks as “treatments” for anything. The marketing is careful to avoid liability issues. However, even if the drink does not work as a treatment, does it still provide any benefits from its superfood ingredients?

Many nutritional experts believe these infused drinks can provide some benefits. Obviously, if you want the most benefit from a superfood, it is best to consume that food. For example, instead of drinking a passion-fruit-infused beverage, eat the fruit. Attempting to use a drink as your primary source of fruits and vegetables or vitamins and minerals is a mistake.

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Should You Drink Superfood-Infused Sparkling Water

The decision of whether you should or shouldn’t drink a superfood-infused beverage is yours. Sparkling water is a better choice of drink than soda, and when infused with vitamins, minerals, and superfoods, it does stand to benefit your diet. However, do not get lost in the marketing hype. A healthy diet depends on balance, and a drink will probably never have the same health benefits as consuming actual food.

Have you tried superfood-infused sparkling water? If so, what did you think? If not, why not?