Does La Croix Hydrate You? (Seltzer, Sparkling Water)

Have you ever asked yourself or your friend if drinking seltzer water like LaCroix hydrate you as good as drinking water? Well, you are at the perfect place to find the answer to such a question.

La Croix flavored sparkling water has taken the world by storm with its clever marketing on social media and brightly colored labeling.

Its waters have been a favorite for many as they have no added sugars, sweeteners, and zero calories.

But many will ask how healthy are these flavored Seltzer style waters, and do they hydrate you as well as normal still water?

So, does La Croix hydrate you? Yes, La Croix sparkling water is just as good at hydrating you as normal still water. La Croix water has zero calories and is an excellent alternative to high-sugar sodas for people who prefer a subtle flavoring to water. Yes, drinking la Croix is as good as drinking water.

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Who is La Croix?

Established in 1981, La Croix is the popular carbonated and flavored water company originating from La Crosse, Wisconsin.

The company’s signature pastel-colored cans and their range of flavored waters have been popular in the midwest of the United States for over two decades, however, it was only since a well-placed social media marketing campaign in 2015 that the company gained notoriety with the younger millennial audience.

Nowadays, La Croix holds around 30% of the sparkling water market in the US, amounting to a staggering 170 million gallons each year.

That’s a lot of shiny pastel cans!

La Croix Flavors

What started out as one of the first “Anti-Perrier” brands, La Croix cleverly marketed their sparkling flavored waters as “all occasion beverages”.

Nowadays, your social media feed is likely to be filled with trendy 20-somethings mixing cocktails with La Croix’s signature “essenced” water flavors.

So much so, there’s an ever-expanding range of new and exotic flavors:

Beach Plum
Guava São Paulo
Black Razzberry
Limoncello
Pastèque
Hi-Biscus!
Keylime
Tangerine
Apricot
Mango
Passionfruit
Coconut
Pamplemousse
Peach-Pear
Berry
Razz-Cranberry
Orange
Lemon
Lime
Pure (unflavored)

What’s in La Croix water?

La Croix water is considered Seltzer water which is basically water infused with carbonated gas.

Anyone who has ever tried La Croix waters will know that they have a distinct tang or flavoring added to them, and the La Croix website claims that their waters are “naturally essenced” and “all-natural”.

Here is an example of the ingredients list and health information for its Guava São Paulo flavored sparkling water drink:

Ingredients: ‘ONLY’ carbonated water, naturally essenced* (*non-GMO)
Serving size: 1 Can
Calories: ZERO
Total Fat: ZERO
Sodium: ZERO
Total carb: ZERO
Protein: ZERO

While the clever marketing terms leave many guessing what that could actually mean, the ingredients labeling of the product has also left many scratching their heads.

It has taken several lawsuits to obtain the real source of the flavoring in La Croix’s range of sparkling waters.

Other than the ‘Pure’ unflavored products, all La Croix water has been found to contain flavoring or additives derived from plant-based sources, like fruit.

If this still seems a little flimsy, consider adding a touch of lime or lemon juice to your own sparkling water and you pretty much have la Croix water without the glossy pastel can.

Is La Croix good for hydration?

La Croix water is Seltzer water (also known as carbonated water) and is just as good for hydration as normal still water.

It’s simply water infused with carbon dioxide which gives the water its distinctive fizz. As La Croix water has no sweeteners and is considered zero-calories, it’s just as good for you as still water when you need to hydrate.

Researchers in 2016 tested a range of beverages and compared them to regular water, allocating them a beverage hydration index (BHI).

The research concluded that sparkling water was just as hydrating as still water.

Is La Croix water good for you?

La Croix sparkling waters contain a flavoring that is plant-derived. Flavors like lime or grapefruit have been scientifically tested and proven to be derived from a fruit source.

La Croix water also has zero calories, making it an excellent alternative to high-sugar sodas. With this in mind, flavored carbonated water products like la Croix are as healthy for you as plain water.

People who struggle to drink their daily intake with regular water often find it easier to drink flavored or sparkling water, as the small amount of fizz and added flavor provides a refreshing change to normal water.

The fizz in La Croix water

The fizz is simply due to the water being infused with carbon dioxide.

Some people notice that the water has a slightly different flavor to still water and this occurs when carbon dioxide dissolves into bicarbonates and carbonic acid.

While unflavored carbonated water has a pH level that is quite neutral, the pH levels can increase substantially with citrus flavored waters.

Citrus flavored waters often have added citric acid and these acidic levels can reach those found in soda products.

Regular or excessive consumption of drinks with high citric acid has been deemed bad for your teeth and bones.

For many of the citrus flavors of La Croix water, it’s always best consumed in moderation.

Carbonated water and the ‘full’ feeling

The fizz in sparkling waters like La Croix also leaves people feeling fuller and this is due to the carbonated gas that is absorbed while drinking.

The carbonated water reaches the gut and becomes gas which explains the full feeling that comes from drinking carbonated water.

While a little fizz is great for some people, it’s not ideal for people with intestinal issues or people who suffer from IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), as the gas that reaches the gut can cause irritation and bloating.

Summary

Keeping hydrated during the day can be tricky with regular water and people quickly get bored trying to maintain the regular recommended daily water intake.

Products like La Croix’s flavored sparkling water offer a great alternative and provide equal hydration qualities to regular water while also being calorie and sweetener free.

Not all brands of flavored waters are sugar or sweetener-free, so it’s important to read the nutritional facts label if you’re not sure.

Any waters that have a higher calorie count will often be loaded with sugars which are best avoided in the quest for hydration.

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