During hot days, we dream of swimming in the water, a refreshing sea breeze and a glass of something to cool down.Unfortunately, not every choice is a good one, and we often resort to suggestions that, instead of hydration and refreshment, only cause disgust and can have more serious consequences.Such an example is subtle flavored water.Why? And what would be its healthier alternative?.
Flavored waters that attract various fruit sweets, practical packaging and interesting labels seem at first glance to be the ideal solution for hot days.However, their composition often causes enthusiasm to fade quickly.
Labels full of strange ingredients
Although we should consume water most of the time, many of us do not like its taste.Therefore, in ancient Greece and Rome, juices, for example from lemon, were added to it.Nowadays, fruit water is still popular and you can find a wide variety of flavors in stores: lemon, strawberry, raspberry, apple or watermelon.Manufacturers targeting young people and also smaller children offer these products in colorful packaging with attractive labels full of colorful, well-known cartoon characters.
Is fruit water a good choice?
At first glance, it seems that water with fruit juice is an ideal drink for hot days.However, it is worth checking its composition before buying it.The main problem is often high amounts of sugar – one glass can contain up to 2 teaspoons of sucrose.Excess sugar in the diet leads to several health problems, such as hormonal disorders, tooth decay or excessive aggression in children.
Sugar alternatives
There are other sweeteners in fruit juices, such as glucose-fructose syrup , which is more economical than sugar but has been linked to obesity and other diseases.Sucralose is also popular, although it does not provide calories, but can disturb the intestinal flora.Aspartame, another popular sweetener, has negative effects on the nervous and immune systems, according to some scientists.
More controversies
Some flavored waters contain acesulfame-K, a substance 200 times sweeter than sugar , which can lead to genetic mutations if consumed in excess.On the contrary, such drinks rarely contain real fruit juice – its taste usually comes from aromas.Citric acid is also often added, which in large quantities can disrupt the absorption of minerals.
Healthier options
The best option is to make your own fruit water.Just add slices of fresh fruit, such as lemon, lime, strawberry or peach, to the water (spring, mineral or carbonated).A bit of cinnamon, spicy ginger, as well as fresh mint or honeydew leaves add flavor.Such homemade drinks are fully tasted after about 1 – 2 hours and it is good to wash the fruit thoroughly beforehand.
