Why WaterTok Might Not Be as Beneficial as Advertised

TikTok True or False provides the truth behind the health, beauty, and fitness fads circulating on social media. With expert input and scientific research, each story examines a wellness trend, so you can determine what advice is legitimate and what to skip.

TikTok boasts an abundance of nutritional trends and hacks, from nutritious green goddess salads to high-protein ice cream. While many concepts help promote healthy eating habits, some questionable ones are gaining traction on the app, such as the #WaterTok trend.

The #WaterTok movement involves individuals infusing water with sugary or artificially sweetened syrups, powders, and additives to create vividly colored beverages, like Nerds Ocean Water, to increase water intake and reach hydration goals. However, these colorful drinks may do more harm than good.

Though hydration is essential to overall health and wellbeing, adding large quantities of artificial ingredients to water may not be beneficial for the body. Additionally, these additives do not enhance the hydrating properties of water. Instead, natural electrolyte beverages may be a healthier alternative, containing no sugar and natural flavors that promote cellular hydration.

Although the recommended amount of daily water intake varies from person to person, gradually hydrating throughout the day is preferable to consuming large quantities of fluids in confined amounts of time. If overhydrated, abdominal pain and imbalances in electrolytes, like hyponatremia, can occur.

Ultimately, drinking pure water or natural electrolyte beverages is a better way to promote proper hydration and overall health. Remember that not all viral trends and advice found online are legitimate.

If you exercise for long periods or sweat a lot, drinking a lot of sugary water without added minerals—primarily sodium- can be an even greater health risk. The International Society of Sports Nutrition recommends consuming 12 to 16 ounces of fluids every 5 to 15 minutes during workouts, with 300 to 600 milligrams of sodium added, and if you are exercising for 90 minutes or more (or in the heat), add electrolytes as well.

Other concerns include damage to teeth if using a lot of sugary additives and potentially adverse consequences linked to using artificial sweeteners to flavor the water. 'Although the research behind artificial sweeteners is inconclusive at this time, some potential side effects include abdominal discomfort, such as bloating and diarrhea, as well as psychological concerns, such as disordered eating,' Brigham warns.

Whether jumping on the WaterTok bandwagon is a good idea depends on a few factors, including which specific ingredients people are adding to their drinks and how much of these flavored drinks they are drinking over time, according to Manaker.

'A once-in-a-while cotton candy drink can be a fun change from plain water. But drinking it all day, every day, may not be the best idea when focusing on overall health,' says Manaker. While the Watertok trend can be a beneficial replacement for more detrimental drinks such as alcohol or high sugar-containing sodas consumed daily, it does not provide essential nutrients to be considered good for individual health.

Brigham suggests healthier alternatives to increasing and promoting healthy hydration, such as flavoring water with fresh or frozen fruits, drinking smoothies with added fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and getting water from fresh vegetables like salads or steamed and seasoned vegetables.