Vitamin Enhanced Bottled Water Vs. Tap Water

Vitamin enhanced bottled water is a fast-growing industry. However, the health and nutritional benefits of vitamin water relative to tap water remain largely unconfirmed. Vitamin enhanced bottled water comprises filtered water with added vitamins, often has added sugar and flavoring, and is regulated differently from bottled water. Despite these drawbacks, vitamin enhanced bottled water has a place in stores and vending machines nationwide.

Hydration

You need water in your diet. The U.S. National Institutes of Health recommends each adult consume at least eight cups of water each day. This is approximately equivalent to the amount of water you lose through perspiration, urination, and respiration on a daily basis. Vitamin enhanced bottled water can fulfill your need for water, providing roughly 2.5 cups in a 20-oz. bottle. However, this water often comes along with calories, having up to 50 calories per 8-oz. serving. Some brands, like Smart Water, have zero calories. Tap water is calorie-free and a safe, clean, and easy way to obtain eight cups a day.

Taste

Consumers may prefer some vitamin enhanced bottled water because it is sweet and flavorful, yet not as sweet as soft drinks. Tap water, by comparison, may taste flavorless or "hard." If your municipal water supply comes from a well, chances are your tap water contains high concentrations of minerals such as calcium and zinc that alter the flavor and which many people dislike. Manufacturers use filtered water to make vitamin enhanced bottled water. Consider purchasing a water filter to remove these particles from your tap water, and see if it improves the taste.

Sugar

Vitamin enhanced bottled water may contain less sugar than soft drinks, however it can still pack a considerable amount of sugar. For example, a 20-oz. bottle of Glaceau's Vitamin Water contains approximately 125 calories and 30 g sugar. This is equivalent to 7 tsp. of table sugar. Tap water has zero calories.

Vitamins and Minerals

Tap water contains clinically important levels of calcium, magnesium, and sodium. Tap water sourced from groundwater wells contain higher concentrations of minerals. One study published in "Osteoporosis" in 2000 found that the calcium in water is as readily absorbed in the human body as calcium in dairy products. Vitamin Enhanced Bottled Water can contain added vitamin and minerals that are not ordinarily found in water. One 8-oz serving of Glaceau's Vitamin Water Balance variety contains 10 percent of the recommended daily allowance for beta-carotene, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-12, vitamin E and zinc. In addition, it contains 40 percent of the RDA for vitamin C. It contains a negligible amount of calcium and selenium, presumably because these minerals would cloud the water.

Safety

Both tap water and vitamin enhanced bottled water are monitored for safety. Vitamin enhanced bottled water is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration whereas tap water is regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A key difference between the two agencies is where they place emphasis. The U.S. EPA works to ensure the safety of municipal or tap water, whereas the FDA focuses on food safety but also whether the label accurately represents what the product contains. For instance, the FDA distinguishes between five types of bottled water: spring water, artesian water, mineral water, sparkling bottled water, and purified water. Each of these varieties has a corresponding definition the FDA uses to classify bottled water products.