| | Water Fasting

Are sugar-free / "zero" drinks really guilt free?

I’m curious to know learn more about flavored water drinks such as Wegmans Zero Vitamin Infused Water or Vitamin Water Zero are bad for you if consumed too much. They don’t contain sugar or calories, but surely something gives them their flavor. Should they only be drank in moderation or can one consume them without worry?

I did a little bit of research about these drinks and artificial sweeteners, but I’m seeing mixed results. What is your take on them?

Examples & nutrition facts:

Wegmans Zero Vitamin Infused Water, Orange https://shop.wegmans.com/product/24220/wegmans-zero-vitamin-infused-water-orange

​

Vitamin Water Zero XXX Acai Blueberry Pomegranate https://www.vitaminwater.com/products/vitaminwater-zero-sugar/xxx-acai-blueberry-pomegranate

Stop Fasting Alone.

Get a private coach and accountability partner for daily check-in's and to help you reach your fasting goals. Any kind of fasting protocol is supported.

Request more information and pricing.

Answer

The most comprehensive studies on the subject actually show sugar free pop and drinks aide in weight loss and the only models that show any risk are through animal studies. The health scare surrounding aspartame, sucralose, etc is bullshit.

Answer

Artificial sweeteners give them their flavor.

Artificial sweeteners have a lot of fear-mongering behind them.

That said, when you look at the body of evidence of on human trials, there really isn’t a reason to fear zero cal, artificially-sweetened beverages. In fact, when it comes to weight loss, there’s a benefit to swapping to zero cal, artificially sweetened beverages and this benefit may even exist over choosing water.

Answer

I’ll only speak to these products since you provided their nutrition information:

Vitamin water is sweetened with erythritol which can cause digestive issues in some people, when consumed in high enough amounts (varies from person to person). Other than that, I don’t see any ingredients I would particularly have concern with.

“Natural flavors” is a very broad category that some people may take issue with, but it just means that some flavor compound/chemical was derived from a natural/whole food source.

I wouldn’t recommend slamming/chain drinking these largely because that’d probably get expensive - not for nutrition-related reasons.

Related Fasting Blogs