Eating and drinking trends on TikTok constantly come and go, but one in particular has prompted warnings from health experts and dentists.
A recent trend known as #WaterTok is for influencers to create recipes for flavored and sweetened water to make hydration more palatable.
The #WaterTok hashtag has been viewed over 290 million times at the time of writing, but has caused confusion and concern on social media.
Many of these influencers encourage their followers to add caramel flavored powders as well as flavored syrups like Starburst or Skittles to create “piña colada water”, “birthday cake water”, “peach water” and more.
Often these drinks are prepared in large quantities and consumed in large, colorful bottles, such as the popular 4-gallon stainless steel Stanley Tumbler.
Dr Abdul Matin Azizi, principal dentist at Harley Private Dental, told The Independent that these additives can have a significant effect on a drinker’s teeth depending on their ingredients and use.
“Some powders and syrups may contain high levels of sugar or citric acid which can erode tooth enamel and lead to cavities,” he warns.
“Sugar can feed bacteria in the mouth, producing harmful acids that attack teeth. Citric acid can also erode tooth enamel, causing tooth pain and sensitivity. Food coloring, which contains are also in many products, can stain teeth over time.” ,
He urged those who enjoy drinking flavored water to do so “in moderation” and to rinse their mouth afterward.
But consuming large amounts of sugar water can affect more than just your teeth. Mercury Health GP Dr Al-Imran Khan told The Independent that the idea of flavored water was “originally invented by post-bariatric patients to increase their hydration” but has now gone viral with potential negative effects on health Happening.
“Artificial sweeteners or flavorings, such as those used in powders and syrups mixed with water, can cause many health problems such as heart disease or early diabetes,” he warned.
Silvia Micheletti, a nutritionist at Rainbow Labs, said that while the drink is marketed as a “healthier alternative to sugary drinks,” because flavored water contains less sugar than juice or carbonated drinks, that’s probably not the case. .
“You have to pay more attention to content than calories,” he says. “In fact, these artificial flavors contain high levels of maltodextrin, a highly processed carbohydrate derived from starch.
“They are commonly used as food additives in many processed foods, as thickeners, bulking agents or sweeteners. However, maltodextrins are similar to sugar and can cause a rapid rise in blood sugar levels, causing some Health problems can occur in people.people, such as weight gain, diabetes, fatty liver disease, atherosclerosis, mood swings, fatigue, autoimmune diseases, and heart disease.
Instead of consuming flavored water, Dr. Khan advises: “If you need a little flavor in your water, use lemon slices or other natural ingredients, which are much healthier.”
