{"id":30808,"date":"2014-08-15T07:15:55","date_gmt":"2014-08-15T11:15:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/?p=30808"},"modified":"2022-01-20T05:45:19","modified_gmt":"2022-01-20T10:45:19","slug":"maple-water-watermelon-water-hydration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/health\/maple-water-watermelon-water-hydration\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Maple Water Worth the Hype?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Feel like the health industry is drowning in bottled beverages these days? It\u2019s not just you; liquid nutrition is all the rage right now. From juice cleanses<\/a> and smoothie bars to flavored waters, many retailers are tapping into the trend. Americans spend roughly $11.8 billion<\/a> on bottled water each year, and new \u201cenhanced\u201d varieties are cropping up each week. Claiming to slim you down, increase energy and deliver natural electrolytes, these gulps don\u2019t come cheap. Could you be convinced to spend up to six dollars on a watermelon<\/a> water?<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve taken a cold, hard look at the ingredients labels and enlisted some expert help to decode the claims of these new thirst quenchers. Learn which drinks are worth sipping and which are worth skipping.<\/p>\n

\"Maple
Photo: Pond5<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1. Maple Water<\/b><\/h3>\n

Calories: <\/b>20 per 8.45 fl. oz. box
\nCost:<\/b> Roughly $3 (drinkmaple.com<\/a>)
\nUsually maple sap is boiled down to the viscous stuff you pour on pancakes, but recently several companies have been selling the sap straight to consumers, labeled as water. Far less sweet than syrup, maple water is touted as having a high amount of polyphenols<\/a>, which act as antioxidants by protecting cells against cancer-causing free radicals.
\nThe Verdict: <\/b>\u201cBecause maple water is pulled up from the soil, it\u2019s packed with anti-inflammatory nutrients like manganese, a key player in protection against free radicals,\u201d says nutritionist Shira Lenchewski<\/a>, R.D. Manganese also plays an important role in nutrient absorption and bone development. Since maple water has half the sugar of coconut water (four grams per eight fluid ounces), Lenchewski considers it a great option for daily hydration \u2014 assuming you\u2019ve got a few extra bucks to spare.<\/p>\n

\"Artichoke
Photo: Pond5<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

2. Artichoke Water<\/b><\/h3>\n

Calories:<\/b> 40 per 8 fl. oz. bottle
\nThe Cost:<\/b> Roughly $3 per bottle; $64 for a 24-pack (artywater.com<\/a>)
\nNominated as a finalist for the \u201cBest New Product of 2014\u201d category at the Natural Products Expos West, ARTY Water is the first and only artichoke water on the market. The company\u2019s CEO was inspired after downing artichoke-infused water during triathlon training, which he claimed offered \u201csuperior hydration.\u201d Supposedly, this beverage retains all the minerals found in a whole artichoke, including the nutrient-dense leaves that don\u2019t usually get eaten. And don\u2019t underestimate the funny-looking green veggie; it\u2019s got one of the highest levels of disease-fighting antioxidants<\/a>, according to the USDA.
\nThe Verdict: <\/b>\u201cThis is so new, so it\u2019s tough to actually tell the real benefits,” says nutritionist Stephanie Middleberg<\/a>, R.D. She notes that the sodium and potassium levels aren\u2019t particularly high, which is not optimal for athletes. Plus, Middleberg doesn\u2019t love that the ingredients list contains \u201cnatural flavors,\u201d a vague term that could mean it has traces of processed ingredients.<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/b> 10 Ways to Stay Hydrated (That Aren\u2019t Water)<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Cactus
Photo: Pond5<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3. Cactus Water<\/b><\/h3>\n

Calories:<\/b> 32 per 11 fl. oz. bottle
\nCost:<\/b> $2.75 per bottle (drinkcaliwater.com<\/a>)
\nCould a prickly desert plant be a source of hydration? That\u2019s the premise behind cactus water, a blend of filtered water, prickly pear cactus juice concentrate and extract, citrus concentrate and other natural flavors. Some early research<\/a> suggests a potential link between ingesting cactus flesh and a decrease in inflammation and blood glucose levels. And here\u2019s a fun fact: It\u2019s used as a hangover cure<\/a> in Mexico.
\nThe Verdict:<\/b> \u201cThe research on this is pretty limited,\u201d cautions Middleberg. You\u2019re better off sticking with oatmeal or green vegetables if you\u2019re seriously looking to control your blood sugar levels. She also notes that products made from concentrate or products containing \u201cnatural\u201d flavors<\/a> may be processed and contain not-so-good-for-you chemical byproducts.<\/p>\n

\"Aloe
Photo: Pond5<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

4. Aloe Juice<\/b><\/h3>\n

Calories:<\/b> 18 per 8 fl. oz. serving
\nCost: <\/b>Roughly $2.40 per 15.2 fl. oz. bottle (gloe.com<\/a>)
\nNot just for soothing sunburns, aloe<\/a> is now a main ingredient in several new wellness drinks. Used medicinally for thousands of years, the aloe vera plant has a clear gel inside its leaves. Aloe waters and juices have even gone from grocery store shelves to select gyms in recent years.
\nThe Verdict: <\/b>Since aloe is known to have laxative effect that can throw off electrolyte levels<\/a>, this drink is not ideal for athletes. \u201cI may recommend this for digestion issues but not to hydrate, as some people get side effects like diarrhea, bloating and cramping,\u201d says Middleberg.<\/p>\n

\"Watermelon
Photo: Pond5<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

5. Watermelon Water<\/b><\/h3>\n

Calories:<\/b> 60 per 8 fl. oz. serving
\nCost: <\/b>Roughly $6 per 12 fl. oz bottle (wtrmlnwtr.com<\/a>)
\nThink pink with this melon-in-a-bottle. Reminiscent of your favorite summertime fruit, this rose-colored beverage has just the bare necessities inside: watermelon flesh, rind and lemon.
\nThe Verdict:<\/b> While technically a cold-pressed juice<\/a>, not a water, this beverage packs a serious nutritional punch. Lenchewski highly recommends watermelon water for rehydrating after an endurance workout because it\u2019s rich in lycopene and potassium, which, she says is \u201ccrucial for maintaining fluid balance.\u201d You\u2019d have to eat over four cups of cubed watermelon to ingest the same amount of potassium in eight fluid ounces of wtrmln wtr. Lenchewski notes it also contains the amino acid citrulline, which improves circulation and can aid in muscle recovery<\/a>. If you don\u2019t want to bother cutting up a watermelon yourself, this drink could be worth the cash.<\/p>\n

\"Coconut
Photo: Pond5<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

6. Coconut Water<\/b><\/h3>\n

Calories:<\/b> 45-50 per 8 fl. oz. serving
\nCost:<\/b> Roughly $3.70 per 11 fl. oz. bottle. (zico.com<\/a>)
\nYou put the lime in the coconut and drink it all up! Or so the saying goes. A favorite way to hydrate in tropical regions, coconut water, a sweet, cloudy liquid, is found naturally within young coconuts.
\nThe Verdict:<\/b> There\u2019s good reason for the recent coconut water craze. Packed with as much potassium as a banana and relatively low in calories, coconut water can help endurance athletes rehydrate after a grueling workout. Middleberg recommends the beverage for fueling post-hot yoga, spin class or running, but she warms, \u201cit lacks the sodium long-distance athletes need.\u201d At roughly 252 mg of sodium per serving, coconut water falls short of how much sodium a profusely perspiring marathoner could potentially sweat out \u2014 up to a whopping 3,000 mg<\/a>.<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/b> A Runner\u2019s Guide to Hydration (And How Not to Overdo It)<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Performance
Photo: Pond5<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

7. Performance Water<\/b><\/h3>\n

Calories:<\/b> 0-120 per 20 fl. oz bottle
\nCost:<\/b> Roughly $2.25 per bottle (vitaminwater.com<\/a>)
\n\u201cVitamin enhanced\u201d waters are a dime a dozen these days. Whether clear or colored, these beverages claim to deliver antioxidants, boost energy<\/a> and revitalize your body.
\nThe Verdict:<\/b> \u201cPerformance drinks are meant for people who are working out continuously and hard for 90 minutes or more,\u201d says Middleberg. \u201cIf you\u2019re just going to the gym for 30 minutes to an hour, they\u2019re not necessary.\u201d She also warns against chugging down beverages that have lots of artificial ingredients and colors. \u201cYou\u2019re essentially chugging sugar water,\u201d Middleberg says, noting that some brands have around 33 grams of the sweet stuff per 20-ounce bottle.<\/p>\n

To learn more about Lenchewski\u2019s nutritional philosophy, check out her <\/i>Facebook<\/i><\/a>, <\/i>Twitter<\/i><\/a> or <\/i>Instagram<\/i><\/a>. To keep up with Middleberg, head to her <\/i>Facebook<\/i><\/a>, <\/i>Twitter<\/i><\/a> or <\/i>Instagram<\/i><\/a>. \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Is it worth shelling out for high-end maple water, cactus water, artichoke water, and more? We\u2019ve got the scoop on which new \u201cwaters\u201d are best for hydration. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":30827,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[23,7],"tags":[29,31,44,161,341,357],"class_list":["post-30808","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-diet-nutrition","category-health","tag-antioxidants","tag-beverages","tag-drinks","tag-hydration","tag-tax1living-well","tag-tax2running"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30808","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30808"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30808\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30827"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30808"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30808"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30808"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}