Tag: is caffeinated water healthy

Caffeinated Water 101

Caffeinated Water 101

greeneyedguide
-updated 7/9/2019

Caffeinated water can be a great alternative to the stereotypical energy drink, but there are some important details to consider before trying it.  This is the first of a three-part series on caffeinated water. In this series, we’ll answer the most commonly asked questions including:

  • Is caffeinated water safe?
  • Is caffeinated water healthy?
  • How does caffeinated water compare to energy drinks?
  • Does caffeine make you dehydrated?
  • How does caffeine affect urine output?

I’ve been researching energy drinks for several years now and I’m always amazed at how far we’ve come from the days when Red Bull and Monster were your only alternatives to coffee and caffeinated soda. Caffeinated waters are another way energy drinks have evolved to meet the desires of consumers. In this case, that desire is for an energy drink with simple ingredients and minimal side-effects.

In This Series:

Caffeinated Water 101

Don’t have time to watch the full video? No worries! The key details are below.

What is Caffeinated Water?

Caffeinated waters lie on a spectrum. Some brands of caffeinated water are literally just caffeine and water; other brands of caffeinated water contain caffeine, water, and other ingredients like flavor, colors, and sweetener.

Where does the FDA stand on this?

The FDA’s definition of water includes the fact it’s zero Calorie. The FDA has issued warning letters to companies for using the word “water” to market/label drinks with added sugars because these drinks are not Calorie-free, and therefore can’t be called “water”.

How to Say Leviosa

Hello, Loophole: If it’s not Zero Calorie, it’s “water BEVERAGE”, not “water”.

For the rest of this discussion, I’m going to define Caffeinated Water as a non-carbonated beverage with caffeine and few other ingredients: no vitamins or electrolytes, no added sugars or juice, maybe some flavor or non-calorie sweetener and some citric acid for flavor and freshness.

Is Caffeinated Water Healthy?

In general, caffeinated waters will have less complicated formulas than the stereotypical energy drink. There (probably) won’t be any taurine, carnitine, glucuronolactone, or guarana in caffeinated water. This is good news for those who think energy drink ingredients interact and make energy drinks more dangerous than coffee. For caffeinated water, that concern is a moot point.

Some caffeinated water does have artificial ingredients.

If you’re trying to avoid this, read the label!

“Healthy” is a relative term but, with the simpler formula, caffeinated water is healthier than sugar-free Red Bull (for example). But being a healthy drink depends on the caffeine content, which brings us to the next big question.

Is Caffeinated Water Safe?

Don’t assume caffeinated water is safer than energy drinks because some brands of caffeinated waters have more caffeine per can than some brands of energy drinks. To be safe, it’s up to you to check the label and confirm the caffeine content is something you can handle. People have overdosed on pure caffeine powder – just because there’s no taurine or ingredients you can’t pronounce doesn’t mean it’s safe for you to drink.

For reference, the max amount of caffeine adults can have in one day is 400 mg caffeine total. The max per serving is 200 mg caffeine. [EFSA Guidelines]

Should You Drink Caffeinated Water?

If you’re looking for something that tastes more like water (meaning flavor is really weak, like cucumber or lemon in your water), caffeinated water is a good alternative to the stereotypical energy drink.

If you’re looking at a specific brand, ask yourself these 3 questions:

  1. Is the caffeine a good amount for me
  2. Does this contain any ingredients I’m trying to limit in my diet?
  3. Am I thirsty / Would a non-caffeinated water mix-in work just as well?

Now on to Part Two: Caffeine and Hydration

Love this info? Want to learn more?

I’ve researched the science and safety behind energy drinks and their ingredients since 2003. This book is the culmination of my research:

Need help with quitting caffeine?

Science Behind Avitae Flavored Caffeinated Water

greeneyedguide

It’s not even fair to call this an energy drink, because it’s the purest, simplest, cleanest energy drink possible. It’s not fair because all the worry and legislation over the dangers of energy drinks can’t possibly apply to a product like this. This really shouldn’t be called an energy drink , and yet, this “energy drink in disguise” is exactly that.

With a nod to Earth Day (and the growing concern regarding California’s water crisis), the Energy Drink of the Month is flavored, caffeinated water by Avitae.

Avitae Caffeinated Flavored water
Tangy tangerine is my favorite.
Source: http://goavitae.com/products/

Pronounced “ah-vee-tay”, Avitae’s line of caffeinated waters is perfect for consumers who want their caffeine without added sugars or artificial colors/flavors.

Last year, Avitae’s President and CEO was gracious enough to answer some quality and food science questions I had about the non-flavored products (read that Q&A here). This year, Mr Norman Snyder was gracious enough to again grant me an interview to discuss the new flavors.

5 MORE Questions with Norman E. Snyder, President & CEO of Avitae USA, LLC

GEG-1: Last time we talked, you said that the plan was to introduce new flavors before looking at a carbonated product. Can tell me what inspired the new flavors? How did you determine which flavors to pursue, and were there any that were close but didn’t make the cut?  

NS: The inspiration came directly from consumers.  We do many sampling events at retail locations, festivals and other events that we believe attract our consumers.  The first comment made by the majority was “it does taste like water.”  The second comment/question was “do you have flavors?”  It was pretty easy from that point.  We did research on flavors that are currently popular and tasted several.  We initially narrowed the field down to six that we thought were great recognizing that we could only introduce three or four.  We selected the four best internally then conducted third party taste panels.  Ironically the four that we selected were also selected by the taste panels.  The two that did not make the cut maybe used in future products.

♦

GEG-2: How long did it take to bring these new flavors from concept to market, and what was the biggest challenge?  

NS: Approximately six months.  The biggest challenge was, as perfectionists, getting exactly what we wanted.  That usually requires  several iterations as we were not willing to compromise on any point.

[GEG Note – Avitae has several part-time employees but only 16 full-time employees, so launching four new flavors in six months is pretty impressive, in my opinion]

♦

GEG-3: The unflavored Avitae comes in three caffeine amounts: Energy Kick – 45mg, Energy Boost – 90mg, and Energy Blast – 125mg. I love this variability because there’s something for those more sensitive to caffeine, and something for those who need something a little stronger. How was it determined how much caffeine the new flavored versions should contain?  

NS: We are basically going after three consumptions occasions/products:  diet soda, coffee and energy drinks.  Each different strength is targeted at the people that use those products.  As 90 mg is presently the best selling product, we believed that strength to be the best choice.  Again, we listened to our consumers.

♦

GEG-4: As Avitae’s President and CEO, what are you most proud of and what keeps you up at night?  

NS: I am most proud of our overall corporate philosophy and product positioning, in that we provide the healthiest solution for people that want a boost but also seek an alternative to the artificial, high sugar, and otherwise less than healthy products that exist today.  Many things keep me up at night but right now it is keeping up with demand of our products and growth.

♦

GEG-5: What is Avitae’s next big hurdle/goal?  

NS: Expansion.  We are moving into several new markets and adding additional production facilities.  I admit, it is a great problem to have to face.  We are also considering several new products.

[GEG Note – to find the nearest location selling Avitae, try their store locator: http://goavitae.com/find-now/ ]

Huge thanks to Mr. Snyder and the whole Avitae team — keep up the good work!

Learn more about Avitae!

Bottom Line and Points to Remember

Great for those seeking a simple delivery of caffeine that’s portable, resealable, and not as likely to go flat in a hot car, Avitae’s line of caffeinated waters are healthy and effective alternatives to the typical energy drink.

Remember, according to the 5 Levels of Fatigue, Level 1 is dehydration. To limit caffeine dependency and overuse, make sure to try plain water before relying on caffeine to perk you up. Healthy adults should not exceed 400 mg caffeine per day but minors, pregnant/nursing women and those sensitive to caffeine all have different recommendations for caffeine intake maximums. [See caffeine intake guidelines in previous post]

Read more about the 5 Levels of Fatigue and learn how Biological Sensitivity and Consumption Specifics impact the effects of caffeine – Are You a Monster or a Rock Star: A Guide to Energy Drinks — How They Work, Why They Work, How to Use Them Safely (available through iTunes, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and more)

Visit/Like the Facebook Page: Energy Drink Guide

Follow @GreenEyedGuide on Twitter

Science Behind Avitae Caffeinated Water

greeneyedguide

Could you pick an energy drink out of a line-up? Every so often, I read a news story that makes me either laugh or grit my teeth because of how energy drinks are portrayed as dangerous concoctions of sugar and caffeine. To me this portrayal seems like saying all water tastes exactly the same. Ocean water, bottled water, carbonated water etc. While some energy drinks do contain extreme amounts of sugar and caffeine, condemning all energy drinks without addressing the specifics is both folly and counter-productive to safe caffeine consumption. To combat this grievous over-generalization, each month I try to highlight an energy drink that breaks the mold and counters the stereotype.

The Energy Drink of the Month for April 2014 is Avitae (“ah-vee-tay”) caffeine+water.

Apr 2014 Energy Drink alternative of the Month
Apr 2014 Energy Drink alternative of the Month
Apr 2014 Energy Drink alternative of the Month

There are currently no flavored versions (and thus ends, temporarily, the pomegranate theme I’ve had going since January’s pick). There are three caffeine levels of this Avitae line available: 45 mg, 90 mg and 125 mg.
As far as energy drinks go, it doesn’t get much cleaner or simpler than this. With the three levels of caffeine available, this product line is suitable for Level 2, 3 and 4 of the 5 Levels of Fatigue.  Also note that since it comes in a bottle you can sip it and reseal it, regulating your caffeine intake in ways that aren’t possible with an open can or a hot coffee.

For more, see:

Redefining “Energy Drink” — 5 Qs with Avitae