Unlike their sugary counterparts, these hip drinks, increasingly lining the aisles of supermarkets, promise to deliver body benefits far beyond just something to wash down your sandwich.
Since South Africans are making more and more food decisions based on health (this despite our new rank as the least healthy country in the world) the market is opening up to bevs with less sugar, and more health boons, like boosting metabolism, delivering antioxidants and warding off flu. Here, a few that’s hit our radars.
MiWater
What it is: Water enriched with fulvic and humic acids, fossilized organic matter, which turn the water black.
What it does: Not many studies have been done, but fulvic acid reportedly boosts hydration and is said to have antioxidant properties. Plus, because of its high oxygen content, fulvic acid could aid muscle fatigue by delivering O2 to where it’s needed.
MiWater, R14.99 at Dis-Chem and Wellness Warehouse
READ MORE: Once And For All: How Much Water Do I Have To Drink Each Day?
BuchuLife Sparkling Herbal Water
What it is: Sparkling water infused with locally sourced buchu oil
What it does: Buchu, an endemic herb touted as a superfood, has bioflavonoids that make for a potent deflector of allergies, colds and carcinogens. It’s also a natural source of Vitamins B, E and A.
BuchuLife Sparkling Herbal Water, R25, Faithful-To-Nature
READ MORE: 6 Superfood Powders That’ll Give Your Body A Boost
Glacéau SmartWater
What it is: Vapour-distilled water spiked with electrolytes.
What it does: Simply put, electrolytes are the stuff that regulates the amount of water in your body. SmartWater also took the high-tech route and derives its water from vapour, kind of like rain. The thinking? Vapourisation leaves behind “contaminants and dissolved solids,” per the website.
READ MORE: These 3 Drinks Will Help You Lose Weight — And They’re Not Vinegar
Biogen ElectroLite
What it is: A flavoured fizzy drink with electrolytes.
What it does: For the athletes sick of sickly sweet post- or pre-workout drinks, this one delivers the hydration without the sugar or artificial flavours and colourants.
Biogen ElectroLite Zero Sugar Hydrator, R11, Biogen.co.za
