It used to be said that someone with a great sales pitch could sell ice to Eskimos. Perhaps the 21st century version should be hawking vitamin water to Americans.
When it comes to preventing water-borne illness, the United States has one of the safest drinking-water supplies in the world. So that should take care of the water part of the equation -- hydration is as near as the kitchen sink, not as far as the grocery aisles.
Then there are the vitamins. Whether Americans could use more micronutrients is subject to debate. But if you're looking to make up for dietary deficiencies, shelling out $1 or more for 20 ounces of rainbow-colored water is an expensive and inefficient way to do it.
For about $10, you could buy a bottle of 100 multivitamins, wash the pills down with tap water, and come out way ahead nutritionally and financially.
Perhaps, one of our testers noted, these products provide a flavorful way to end a workout. If you're among the ''water is boring'' crowd, these drinks might be for you. But if you choose SoBe Life water, add a few minutes to your cardio time: It contains 100 calories per bottle.
Propel Fit Water
Cost: 99 cents per 16.90-ounce bottle.
The company says: Natural kiwi-strawberry flavor; vitamins.
Nutrition: 10 calories per 8-ounce serving; 35 mg sodium; 2 g sugars; 25 percent daily value of vitamin B6, niacin and pantothenic acid; 10 percent of Vitamins C and E.
The verdict: This tasted the most like a flavored water and the least artificial of the beverages. ''If you were exercising, it would be refreshing,'' said one tester. ``It's not too sweet.''
Grade: A
SoBe Life Water
Cost: $1.29-$1.49 per 20-ounce bottle
The company says: ``Calm your life. Herbal content: lemon balm, chamomile.''
Nutrition: 40 calories per 8-ounce serving; 35 mg sodium; 10 g sugars; 100 percent daily value of vitamin C; 20 percent daily value of vitamin E; 10 percent daily value of niacin, vitamins B6 and B12, and pantothenic acid. (Note that nutritional information -- and calories -- are based on an 8-ounce serving; drinking an entire bottle would double all the figures.)
The verdict: The strawberry kiwi flavor was pronounced and artificial, and some tasters noted that it left an aftertaste.
Grade: B
Dasani Plus Vitamin Enhanced Flavored Water Beverage
Cost: $1.29-$1.49 per 20-ounce bottle
The company says: With vitamin B3 + vitamin B6 + vitamin B12 + chromium; zero calories per serving; with other natural flavors including guarana + ginseng
Nutrition: Zero calories per 8-ounce serving; 25 mg sodium; 10 percent of all nutrients listed above.
The verdict: Two of our tasters got a burning sensation in their throat after drinking this. ''Not in love with the flavor,'' another said.
Grade: C.
The bottom line: Get your vitamins from food, or a pill if you must, and drink real water (with a twist, if you want flavor).
