For those looking to add a little something extra to their water, the myriad of options on the shelves may seem overwhelming, and there can be a pretty gigantic range in quality.

Which water flavoring packet should you reach for, you ask? Great question. Here are our answers. Editor's note: This story was updated in October Prices and availability are subject to change.

canister from Amazon Shop Now. Key ingredients: Monopotassium phosphate, sodium citrate Flavors: Orange, Lemon Lime, Fruit Punch, Glacier Cherry, Glacier Freeze Highlights: This tastes almost exactly like a real Gatorade. Unfortunately, the world of water-flavor taste testing is an extremely serious one, and I must proceed without handicaps.

The sad truth is that sugar tastes very, very good. It tastes better than artificial sweeteners like monk fruit and stevia, and zero-sugar water packets don't quite cut it. The fact that you can make your own Gatorade with a water bottle -flavor-packet-combo is a game-changer.

Any Gatorade drinker should stock this. They also contain added vitamins E, B6, C, and B The Grape, however, is horrid and fully unfit for human consumption. Grab yourself one of the other flavors and call it a day. It makes me feel like a kid again , with your science teacher doing a volcano in class.

Tri-Berry is pretty solid, and Orange and Citrus Fruit flavors taste pretty much identical. It somehow has half the sugar of a Gatorade. The flavors are surprisingly palatable, but the packages are bigger than your average powder packet so it can be easy to use a little too much.

This is a great Gatorade or Crystal Light alternative. For more great taste tests, please sign up for our free newsletters. Key ingredients: Phenylalanine, acesulfame potassium Flavors: Lemonade, Cherry Pomegranate, Raspberry Lemonade, Wild Strawberry Highlights: They are dirt cheap.

These water flavor packets from Vital Proteins can help you drink more water while giving you a boost of collagen and electrolytes. If you're looking to increase your potassium quickly , like after a hard workout or an illness, one of these packets has 14 percent of your DV for potassium.

Collagen is a protein that provides structural support to connective tissue found all over the body. Effective doses of collagen range from 2. With zero calories or sugar, Stur is naturally sweetened with stevia and gets its vibrant colors from vegetable juices.

Plus, it has added nutrients to support immune health. Because you can easily add more or less flavor just by adding an extra squeeze, this product is a good choice if you prefer a more potent, sweeter flavor in your water, Mitri says.

The bottles are easy to carry in your purse or bag and are shelf stable, so no need to refrigerate between uses. If you need a pick-me-up, Hydrant can help you ward off fatigue by improving hydration, giving you an electrolyte boost and a caffeine fix.

Each serving has milligrams of caffeine, about the same amount as an 8-ounce cup of coffee. But because it also has milligrams of L-theanine, you can expect an even release of energy to improve your focus and attention instead of an instant surge of anxious energy.

It does have 4 grams of added sugar, which is more than dietitians would usually recommend, but if you need an energy boost, the small amount of sugar may be beneficial. Ultima is a great-tasting calorie-free and sugar-free water flavor packet that helps to replace electrolytes lost through everyday activities and exercise.

One serving of Ultima has 25 percent of the DV for magnesium. Many people in the United States get less than the recommended amount of magnesium from food, per the National Institutes of Health NIH. This mineral is essential for regulating muscle and nerve function, blood sugar, blood pressure and making proteins and bone.

True Lemon Kids comes in seven fun flavors and features no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. The fruity flavors and vibrant colors are naturally sourced from fruits and vegetables. If you have a hard time getting your little one to drink water, these water flavor packets will have them looking forward to their water.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following fluid intakes water and milk for kids each day:. These water flavorings are a great way to reduce the amount of added sugars your kids take in while also increasing their daily water intake.

Kids should get fewer than 25 grams of added sugars per day, per the American Academy of Pediatrics. Use this list as a starting point.

And when you're choosing other water flavor packets, keep this list of criteria in mind:. Many water flavorings have added sugars , making the nutritional value more like soda than water. Diets high in added sugars can lead to weight gain and health conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC.

Choose a water flavoring that's low in added sugars and sweetened naturally using ingredients like fruit, stevia, monk fruit or other natural low-calorie sweeteners. Water is the ultimate way to stay hydrated without adding extra unnecessary calories to your diet.

If you're adding water flavor packets to several glasses of water per day, the calories can start to add up and potentially lead to unwanted weight gain. Choose brands that use natural flavors, sweeteners and colors.

Because many water flavorings have added vitamins and minerals, the ingredient lists may be difficult to decipher. Nutrition Beverages Water. The 9 Healthiest Water Flavorings, According to Dietitians By Kelsey Kunik, RDN Updated Jun 2, Reviewed by Claudia Thompson, PhD, RD.

com may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here. Water flavorings make it easier to drink more water and stay hydrated.

com Creative. Video of the Day. Are You Drinking Enough Water? Physical signs you need to drink more water , according to Rutgers University , include: Feelings of thirst or a dry, sticky mouth Dry skin Headaches or migraines Feeling tired and lack of energy Constipation Chronic urinary tract infections.

How We Chose. Calories Per Serving: 0 calories Sweetener Type: Organic monk fruit Sugar Per Serving: 0 grams Organic: No Non-GMO: Yes. If you are monitoring your added sugar intake but still want to enjoy a beverage that tastes sweet, you may want to consider a water flavoring with monk fruit.

Monk fruit is a non-nutritive, or non-caloric, sweetener derived from a Chinese plant with a concentrated sweetness level, so a little goes a long way! The Sweet Leaf Liquid Monk Fruit Drops come in a convenient squeeze bottle, and each bottle provides 80 servings one squeeze equals one serving.

There are delicious flavors like orange passion fruit, strawberry guava, and even caramel macchiato and English toffee. These drops are a convenient, zero-calorie, sugar-free option to add flavor and sweetness to your water.

For a simple, convenient, water flavoring, we like True Lemon Crystallized Lemon Packets. If you are looking for an option with an electrolyte boost, try Cure Hydrating Electrolyte Mix. When selecting the best water flavorings, we researched several water flavorings on the market, including products with various amounts of sugar, electrolytes, and other added nutrients.

We understand that many people can struggle to consume enough water, so we made sure to consider flavorings that are easy to use and have appealing flavor options.

We prioritized products with simple ingredients without artificial colorings and flavorings, and other unnecessary additives.

Additionally, we tested several electrolyte-containing water flavorings and evaluated them on taste, smell, dissolubility for powders , quality of ingredients, value, and nutritional content.

In general, water flavorings come in a powdered, tablet, or liquid form. If you prefer to add flavoring to your water on the go, you may want to consider the easy-to-carry, single-serving products, which are generally found as powders and sometimes as drops. There are also pre-bottled or canned flavored water options that do not require mixing.

In addition to adequate water intake, electrolytes help to maintain adequate fluid balance in the body. For most healthy individuals, eating a balanced diet and drinking enough water is sufficient. However, you may need more water and electrolytes when you're exercising, ill, or traveling—whenever you might be losing water and nutrients through sweating or other means.

For example, high-endurance athletes exercising vigorously for more than 60 minutes may benefit from increased water and electrolytes to replace what is lost through sweat. Sodium, in particular, can enhance fluid retention, helping you stay hydrated.

There is often a concern about caffeine having a strong diuretic effect, but truthfully, moderate caffeine consumption up to milligrams a day has been found to only have a minor, short-term effect. Choosing a water flavoring with caffeine is a personal preference, so consider how caffeine makes you feel.

Some find caffeine gives them a helpful, added energy boost, while others can feel jittery and experience gastrointestinal discomfort, depending on the individual and the dosage. It may be hard to drink enough water if you are used to drinking soda or juice, which tastes a lot sweeter.

However, many of our picks provide plenty of flavor while leaving out excess sugar, so the transition to water may not be so difficult. We recommend leaning on the natural sugars of fresh fruit, such as in the fruit-infused waters listed above, or stocking up on our top pick, which skips natural and artificial sugars.

Non-nutritive sweeteners like monk fruit, stevia, and sugar alcohols are other ways to provide sweetness, but not everyone tolerates them well. Note that in the context of exercise, consuming water flavorings with both electrolytes primarily sodium and carbohydrates often as sugar can enhance water retention, and therefore help to rehydrate you faster.

Added carbohydrates can also help to replete energy stores during and after exercise. Not all flavored waters are created equally, so there may be some waters that are good options for some people but not for others. Flavored waters that contain added sugars may not be appropriate for someone with diabetes, for example.

Other waters that contain added electrolytes and vitamins may be beneficial for athletes or someone who finds themselves nutrient-depleted, such as people who have just had babies. Yes, seeing as the base of flavored water is still water, the science of hydration theoretically works the same whether you are drinking plain tap water or you decided to start drinking water with added flavor.

Truthfully, there is not much research on whether or not the addition of flavorings like fresh fruit, juice, or non-caloric flavoring packets hydrate you any better or worse than plain water. However, for certain groups of people, such as endurance athletes or people who find that they sweat heavily, drinking flavored water with added carbohydrates and electrolytes, like sodium and potassium, may further improve hydration.

Being well-hydrated is an overlooked aspect of diabetes management. Water is very helpful for overall blood sugar balance, but be mindful of sugars in water flavorings.

If adding juice to your water, keep it a very small splash, for example. Or you may want to opt for products that use natural, sugar-free fruit flavorings like True Citrus or contain alternative sweeteners that are shown to have little to no glycemic impact, such as stevia, monk fruit, or sugar alcohols allulose or erythritol, for example.

This depends on the flavoring. If the flavoring contains upwards of 5 grams or more of added sugar per serving, then continuous consumption of that product over a day may significantly contribute to your added sugar intake.

Water flavorings that provide electrolytes and other minerals and vitamins may or may not be a healthier option for hydration , depending on your needs. Casey Seiden , MS, RD, CDCES, is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist who specializes in pre- and postnatal health for women, with a specific focus on blood sugar and diabetes management.

She is the dietitian at Maternal Fetal Medicine Associates in Manhattan, and owner of the online private practice, Casey Seiden Nutrition. American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. How much water do you need? Kenefick RW, Cheuvront SN. Hydration for recreational sport and physical activity.

Nutr Rev. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics - Nursing Your Baby What You Eat and Drink Matters. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists ACOG - How much water should I drink during pregnancy?

Czajka A, Kania EM, Genovese L, et al. Daily oral supplementation with collagen peptides combined with vitamins and other bioactive compounds improves skin elasticity and has a beneficial effect on joint and general wellbeing.

Nutr Res. American College of Sports Medicine position stand: Exercise and fluid replacement. Zhang Y, Coca A, Casa DJ, Antonio J, Green JM, Bishop PA. Caffeine and diuresis during rest and exercise: A meta-analysis.

J Sci Med Sport. National Institutes of Health. Dietary supplements for exercise and performance: Fact sheet for health professionals. McDermott BP, Anderson SA, Armstrong LE, et al. National Athletic Trainers' Association Position Statement: Fluid replacement for the physically active.

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Nutrition Facts. Hydration Guide Hydration Guide. Hydration Hydration for Athletes Dehydration Health Benefits of Hydration Water vs. Sports Drink How to Boost Flavor.

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Hint is a great ready-to-drink option for purified water with natural added flavor. This product is good for someone who prefers just a hint of flavor without too much sweetness," Mitri says. Seeing " natural flavors " on a label may have you wondering if these flavors come from a nutritious source.

Food and Drug Administration FDA regulates the term "natural flavors" so you know that it comes from one of these places:. Rehydration needs after an intense workout or for athletes are a little different than for someone who is sedentary or does only light to moderate exercise.

Nuun has a water flavor tablet that's perfect for rehydrating after strenuous activity. They include electrolytes often lost in sweat like magnesium, sodium and potassium. As a product often used by athletes, Nuun is Informed Choice Certified, meaning that it's been third-party tested to be free from any banned substance in sport by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

These water flavor packets from Vital Proteins can help you drink more water while giving you a boost of collagen and electrolytes.

If you're looking to increase your potassium quickly , like after a hard workout or an illness, one of these packets has 14 percent of your DV for potassium.

Collagen is a protein that provides structural support to connective tissue found all over the body. Effective doses of collagen range from 2. With zero calories or sugar, Stur is naturally sweetened with stevia and gets its vibrant colors from vegetable juices. Plus, it has added nutrients to support immune health.

Because you can easily add more or less flavor just by adding an extra squeeze, this product is a good choice if you prefer a more potent, sweeter flavor in your water, Mitri says. The bottles are easy to carry in your purse or bag and are shelf stable, so no need to refrigerate between uses.

If you need a pick-me-up, Hydrant can help you ward off fatigue by improving hydration, giving you an electrolyte boost and a caffeine fix. Each serving has milligrams of caffeine, about the same amount as an 8-ounce cup of coffee.

But because it also has milligrams of L-theanine, you can expect an even release of energy to improve your focus and attention instead of an instant surge of anxious energy.

It does have 4 grams of added sugar, which is more than dietitians would usually recommend, but if you need an energy boost, the small amount of sugar may be beneficial.

Ultima is a great-tasting calorie-free and sugar-free water flavor packet that helps to replace electrolytes lost through everyday activities and exercise. One serving of Ultima has 25 percent of the DV for magnesium.

Many people in the United States get less than the recommended amount of magnesium from food, per the National Institutes of Health NIH. This mineral is essential for regulating muscle and nerve function, blood sugar, blood pressure and making proteins and bone.

True Lemon Kids comes in seven fun flavors and features no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. The fruity flavors and vibrant colors are naturally sourced from fruits and vegetables. If you have a hard time getting your little one to drink water, these water flavor packets will have them looking forward to their water.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following fluid intakes water and milk for kids each day:. These water flavorings are a great way to reduce the amount of added sugars your kids take in while also increasing their daily water intake. Kids should get fewer than 25 grams of added sugars per day, per the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Use this list as a starting point. And when you're choosing other water flavor packets, keep this list of criteria in mind:. Many water flavorings have added sugars , making the nutritional value more like soda than water.

Diets high in added sugars can lead to weight gain and health conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC. Choose a water flavoring that's low in added sugars and sweetened naturally using ingredients like fruit, stevia, monk fruit or other natural low-calorie sweeteners.

Water is the ultimate way to stay hydrated without adding extra unnecessary calories to your diet. If you're adding water flavor packets to several glasses of water per day, the calories can start to add up and potentially lead to unwanted weight gain.

Choose brands that use natural flavors, sweeteners and colors. Because many water flavorings have added vitamins and minerals, the ingredient lists may be difficult to decipher. Nutrition Beverages Water. The 9 Healthiest Water Flavorings, According to Dietitians By Kelsey Kunik, RDN Updated Jun 2, Reviewed by Claudia Thompson, PhD, RD.

com may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here. Water flavorings make it easier to drink more water and stay hydrated. com Creative.

Video of the Day. Are You Drinking Enough Water? Physical signs you need to drink more water , according to Rutgers University , include: Feelings of thirst or a dry, sticky mouth Dry skin Headaches or migraines Feeling tired and lack of energy Constipation Chronic urinary tract infections.

How We Chose. Low in added sugars Free from artificial flavors and colors Fewer than 25 calories per serving Price. Best Overall: True Lemon. True Lemon is made out of crystallized lemon, which is a mixture of citric acid, lemon oil and lemon juice.

Image Credit: True Lemon. Pros Budget-friendly Zero calories No unnecessary ingredients. Cons Limited flavors Can potentially trigger heartburn in sensitive people. Best Flavor Variety: Cirkul.

Pop a flavor cartridge into the branded lid, and you've got yourself days' worth of delicious flavored water. Image Credit: Cirkul. Pros Comes in a variety of flavors Zero calories Has caffeinated options Has vitamins and other functional ingredients Affordable.

Cons Some flavors contain the artificial sweetener sucralose It only works with the Cirkul water bottle lid. Best Ready-to-Drink: Hint. You can find Hint flavored waters in many drugstores and grocery stores.