Water is great and all, but do you know what’s even better? Water that has been infused with electrolytes! Smartwater is such a water brand that, according to the official website, offers a premium water experience with every bottle. Speaking of the bottle, how many ounces of water does it contain?
Smartwater comes in 4 distinct bottle sizes:
- 20 fluid ounces
- 23.7 fluid ounces
- 33.8 fluid ounces
- 1.5 liters (50.72 fluid ounces)
In this guide, I’ll explain what Smartwater is, how it’s made, and whether electrolyte-spiked is actually good for you or just a huge marketing ploy.
What Is Smartwater?
Smart water, otherwise known as Glaceau Smartwater, is a brand of bottled water manufactured and distributed by Energy Brands, which is a subsidiary of Coca-Cola.
According to the official website, Smartwater’s debut in 1996 disrupted bottled water at the time by reimaging hydration from the inside out. In 2021, it became the third-most-popular brand of bottled water in the US, reaching sales of close to $1 billion.
In the past, Smartwater stuck to what it knew best—infusing distilled water with electrolytes. In recent years, we’ve seen an increase in Smartwater flavors, including cucumber, watermelon mint, and pineapple kiwi.
How Is Smartwater Made?
The official Smartwater website describes how its water is made in 3 steps, though there are other proprietary steps that are kept under tight wraps. Those steps are:
1. Vapor distillation
Water used to fill Smartwater bottles undergoes a distillation process to remove impurities, leaving nothing but the purest form of fresh, crisp water that’s “as pure as the first drop of rain.”
2. Water purification
If you thought getting rid of impurities through a single-stage distillation process was enough, think again. The vapor-distilled water undergoes a secondary filtration process to add another layer of purification to the bottled water. This would be enough to make any water “premium” water, but Smartwater takes it a step further!
3. Added electrolytes
If you’ve ever had a bottle of Smartwater before, then you’ve probably tasted a distinct crispness with every sip. That crispness comes from the ionized minerals, such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium, that go into every bottle. The electrolytes are what give Smartwater its faint yet distinct flavor profile that keeps customers coming back time and time again.
Smartwater Bottle Sizes
Smartwater is available in several varieties, including original, alkaline, antioxidant, flavors, and smartwater+. The bottle sizes for each are as follows:
Original
- 20 fluid ounces
- 23.7 fluid ounces
- 33.8 fluid ounces
- 1.5 liters (50.72 fluid ounces)
Smartwater Alkaline
- 20 fluid ounces
- 23.7 fluid ounces
- 33.8 fluid ounces
- 1.5 liters (50.72 fluid ounces)
Smartwater Antioxidant
- 33.8 fluid ounces
Smartwater Flavor
- 23.7 fluid ounces
Smartwater+
- 23.7 fluid ounces
What Smartwater Flavors Are There?
Looking specifically at the Smartwater Flavor lineup, there are 4 unique flavors to choose from, namely:
- Cucumber Lime
- Pineapple Kiwi
- Strawberry Blackberry
- Passionfruit Mango
Now, whether or not these flavors are palatable is up to your own subjectivity. Some customers claim that these flavors are out of this world, while others can barely taste the fruity flavors.
But what you should know about Smartwater Flavor is that they do not have added sugar. The only thing that goes into every Smartwater bottle is additional electrolytes. You won’t find artificial food dyes, sugar, or sodium in any Smartwater bottle, per the brand’s official statement.
Is Smartwater Healthy?
Smartwater is almost 100% water, which is indeed good for you. While Smartwater has a TDS of around 20, whereas healthy, acceptable drinking water has a TDS range of between 50 and 150, this just means that there are fewer dissolved solids in Smartwater than in other brands, making it safe and healthy to drink.
Of course, too much of a good thing can become poisonous, and the same is true for the electrolyte content in Smartwater. But if you take a look at the nutrition facts table on a bottle of Smartwater, you’ll find that it does not contain anything remotely harmful to humans.
From Eat This Much, we can see that a 23.7-ounce bottle of Smartwater contains the following:
Nutrition | Value |
Calories | 0 |
Total fat | 0 g |
Carbohydrates | 0 g |
Net carbs | 0 g |
Fiber | 0 g |
Protein | 0 g |
Vitamin A | 0 μg |
Vitamin C | 0 mg |
Calcium | 0 mg |
Iron | 0 mg |
So, from the label, it’s clear that Smartwater contains no sugar, and the ingredients list is devoid of artificial food coloring and preservatives.
Are Electrolytes Good for You?
Electrolyte-spiked bottled water is nothing new. Its origin can be traced to at least 1965 with the creation of Gatorade, which was invented by University of Florida researchers to combat the sweltering heat that left football players exhausted.
So, if it’s been around for that long, then electrolytes should be good for us, right? After all, that’s why we see so many electrolyte drinks on shelves everywhere!
Unsurprisingly, yes, electrolytes are an important part of many natural processes in the human body. They help with nerve impulses, and regulate pH levels and muscle contractions, just to name a few. Electrolytes are simply minerals that carry an electric charge and can be found in blood, urine, and sweat.
Electrolyte imbalances, however, can be dangerous to the human body. You can have too much or too little, which can lead to symptoms like fatigue, irregular heartbeat, headaches, and convulsions. Imbalances are most often the result of dehydration, but being overhydrated can have similar downsides, too.
Can You Drink Electrolytes Every Day?
Yes, you can. Electrolytes must be replenished in order to keep up with basic human body functions. You lose electrolytes all the time by the loss of fluids, not drinking enough, or suffering from certain health ailments, such as emphysema.
However, there’s such a thing as an excess of electrolytes, which is when you have more mineral ions in your body than you need. So, you should consult with your physician to see whether or not you should drink premium water bottles, like Smartwater, every day.
Leave a Reply