In the latest social media trend, creators on TikTok are
sharing their best recipes for water. You read that right – water. In TikTok
land, water is not just basic H20, but instead mocktails with flavoring, electrolytes and sometimes sugar-free sweeteners. Water is the base of the drink and
hydration is the game, thus it was christened #Watertok.
Some of the flavor combinations are absolutely wild. There’s
not only fruity drink mixes in stores but candy-inspired flavors from brands like Sweet Tart and
Nerds, vanilla and chocolate flavoring and some reminiscent of cocktails.
The flavorings come in both powders and
syrups, some with sugar and some that are low sugar or sugar-free. When the
creators mix them together, they get elaborate recipes for drinks like
Pineapple Upside Down Cake water or Raspberry Mojito water.
Some say it’s important to stay hydrated, whether the drink includes artificial ingredients or not. For others, it may be a way to show off
their reusable Stanley mug collection or sell the mixes to their followers.
Experts warn not to overdo the water trend as there is such
a things as being overhydrated. With some creators bragging about the hundreds
of ounces of water they drink, well beyond the 64 ounces recommended a day, it
should be noted that it’s possible to have too much of a good thing.
Overhydration symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, headache, muscle aches,
confusion and drowsiness. Drinks like these should also not be used as a replacement
for food. Nutritionists warn that it’s OK to use flavored water as a
replacement for sodas, but it should not be used as replacement for a meal as
some creators suggest.
Making these drinks might be fun and a tasty way to meet
your water goals for the day, but between either loads of sugar or artificial sweeteners, it's no longer superior to soda if you're trying to kick the habit. Your best bet is flavored water with fresh or frozen fruit. Think citrus, berries,
cucumber, herbs and more for a healthy drink you’ll keep coming back to
throughout the day. As for increasing trips to the bathroom, that's just an unfortunate side effect of staying well hydrated. Cheers!