The body needs water to transport nutrients, stabilize electrolytes, to help with the absorption of vitamins and minerals, to maintain body temperature, to protect and lubricate tissue, and to excrete metabolic waste. We can't live without water. The Institute of Medicine recommends that men drink at least 13 cups of water daily and women drink at least nine cups daily, but the fluid demand can be individualized depending on your activity level (Thompson & Manroe, 2013). .
For the better part of my life tap water is what I turned to when I was thirsty, even drinking out of the water hose as a kid. In 1977, a bottled water known as "Perrier" was introduced and became all the rage for Americans (Moskin, 2006). Since then, bottled water has grown into one of the largest industries in America. In 2004 more than nine billion dollars was spent on bottled water (Moskin, 2006, para. 4). The question is why? Is bottled water better than tap water?.
In some states bottled water is a better choice than tap water. But for most of the country this does not ring true. Tap water is still the better choice. Let's take a look at a bottled water called "Vitamin Water." Vitamin waters' first two ingredients are sugar and water. The sugar comes from a crystalline fructose (Adams, 2010). That doesn't even sound healthy. The label from "Multi-V Lemonade" vitamin-water states these nutritional facts: Per serving.
1. Total Fat - 0g.
2. Sodium - 0g.
3. Total carbs - 13g.
4. Sugar - 13g.
5. Proteins - 0g.
The per bottle's RDA percentages of vitamins read:.
1. Vitamin A - 25%.
2. Vitamin C - 100%.
3. Vitamin E - 10%.
4. Vitamin B3 - 25%.
5. Calcium - 10%.
6. Vitamin B6 – 25%.
7. Folic Acid – 25%.
8. Vitamin B12 – 25%.
9. Vitamin B5 – 25%.
10. Magnesium – 10%.
11. Zinc – 25%.
So to get 100% of most of these vitamins and minerals (excluding vitamin C) you have to drink four entire bottles which then gives you 128g of sugar and carbs.