Soda's popularity may be shrinking, but drinks full of amino acids, vitamins, and healthy botanicals are popping up everywhere from beauty emporiums to corner stores. Many manufacturers- including giant soda producers who are jumping on the beauty beverage bandwagon-claim that these herb- and nutrient-infused waters and juices can fight everything from skin cancer to premature aging. But are these beverages really better than water?
Nowadays, people are evaluating the benefits of everything we put in our bodies. As we look more and more towards natural, rather than chemical, solutions to health problems, the trend towards using "nutraceuticals"-food and beverages designed for specific nutritional needs - has helped to create the perfect atmosphere for the beauty beverage market to grow. These infused liquids do contain healthy ingredients like green tea and aloe vera combined with vitamins and minerals that offer a variety of health benefits. Dozens of formulations claim to cure a variety of skin problems. However, most of them are not exactly natural. Blending botanical and mineral compounds into liquid form involves a lot of processing. And while beauty beverages are lower in calories than smoothies and better for us than diet soda, experts have not found that they do much more for us than following a healthy diet will.
Beauty beverages are not cheap. Most of them cost at least $2, so working that into a daily routine could cost you more than $750 a year. Traditional vitamins cost a fraction of this amount. But if you find that you enjoy the taste and that they help you stay hydrated, consider making your own. How about infusing regular water with fruits or vegetables, or mixing an anti-oxidant rich juice like pomegranate or grape juice with sparkling water?
There's no question that staying hydrated and taking a healthy balance of vitamins and minerals is good for you. But despite manufacturers' claims, there's no evidence that ingesting these in liquid form is any more effective than taking a vitamin with a glass of water.
Sources:
"New Beverages for Beauty and Health" article from foodprocessing.com
http://www.foodprocessing.com/articles/2007/250.html
National Nutraceutical Association
http://www.ana-jana.org/nut_info_details.cfm?NutInfoID=4
