Twenty years ago, the idea of buying bottle water would have
been met with ridicule. Today, however, we consumers don’t blink
an eye at paying more for a bottle of water than one of milk.
What we expect out of our water has similarly grown. We look for
H2O enhanced with everything from vitamins to herbs and
memory-enhancing supplements.

The idea of fortifying water to provide health-enhancing
properties is as least as old as recorded human history,
however. Over 7,000 years ago, man began pressing grapes and
fermenting the juice into wine which we mixed with our water.
Beyond its properties as a social lubricant, the alcohol in wine
helped kill off microorganisms that lived in the water. Wine was
able to be stored longer, and retained some of the vitamins and
minerals of the source grape. Its medicinal qualities were
recognized very early on, too, as a pain palliative, a
disinfectant and a digestive supplement. In fact, the disciple
Paul wrote to Timothy (Tim I, 5:23) “No longer drink only water,
but take a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your
frequent ailments.” The health-bringing properties of wine were
also exaggerated, though. Cleopatra dissolved pearls in wine for
its reputed health benefits, and Romans put ’snake stones’
(agate) in wine to combat snake bites.

Fruit juices were another predecessor of fortified waters. As
far back as Biblical times, pomegranates and other juicy fruits
were pressed and mixed with water for their carbs, vitamins,
minerals and, of course, deliciousness. Lime and lemon juices
were used to cure British sailor’s scurvy, resulting from
Vitamin C deficiency.

However, both of these drinks have downsides as well. The
alcohol in wine can affect some people poorly, and the calories
in both wine and fruit juice may be overabundant for the
sedentary. The acidity in both can irritate tender stomachs.

These problems have led to the development of modern fortified
waters, designed to provide the drinker nutrients without this
excess baggage. The first such drink, Gatorade, was developed in
the 1960s by physicians at the University of Florida to help
quickly replenish carbs and electrolytes that the school’s
football players were losing during play.

As its popularity grew, other companies began to design other
drinks with fortifications specific to different population
needs, until today the value-added water market has grown into a
$1.5 billion annual business. A seemingly endless of those
drinks are now found on the shelves of virtually any store in
the U.S., including sports drinks with carbs, water with
stimulants such as caffeine, with vitamins, minerals,
antioxidants, and probiotics. Some are supplemented with ginko
and other herbs, essential fatty acids, and fluoride for cavity
fighting. There are waters that claim to help the consumer
achieve weight loss, grow hair, lower cholesterol, that provide
brain nutrition, joint support, even improve breath. I wouldn’t
be surprised to see one that promises to help the consumer
levitate. There is even a fortified water for dogs!

Critics of fortified water are concerned, however, that
consumers may believe that they are receiving all their
necessary vitamins, minerals and other dietary supplements
through their water consumption. This is not the case. Many
drinks provide only a small portion of the daily recommended
amounts of these nutrients. Also, for most of us, water
consumption is an irregular affair; more on hot days, less on
cool. Finally, these drinks are a very expensive source of these
supplements compared to shopping online for discount vitamins,
minerals or even discount herbs.

Replacing a regular regime of vitamin and mineral supplements
with fortified water is not a good way to assure yourself of the
steady, dependable supply of what your body needs to keep
working smoothly. To be sure, drink water when your body wants
water, but stick to your customary supplement schedule. You’ll
save money and gain peace of mind.

About The Author: James Dugan is a sought-after health and
lifestyle expert. Nationally certified as a Professional
Lifestyle and Fitness Consultant, he also holds a certificate in
Vitamin Assessment and Herbal Counseling. He has written many
articles for VitaNet Health Foods, vitanetonline.com/
vitanetonline.com/ which offers vitanetonline.com/
discount vitamins. Please use the link when reproducing article.

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