Food and drink trends on TikTok come and go, but one, in particular, has prompted health experts and dentists to issue warnings. The recent and viral TikTok hydration trend involves influencers creating flavored and sweetened water recipes to make hydration appear more appealing. At the time of writing, the hashtag #WaterTok had more than 103.7 million views, but it had also sparked confusion and concern on social media.

Many of these influencers encourage their followers to use candy-flavored powders, such as Starburst or Skittles, as well as flavoring syrups to make “pia colada water,” “birthday cake water,” “peach ring water,” and other drinks. These drinks are frequently made in large quantities and served in large, colorful bottles, such as the popular 1.13-liter stainless steel Stanley tumblers.

What does medicine say about these drinks?

According to Dr. Abdul Matin Azizi, principal dentist at Harley Private Dental, depending on the ingredients and usage of these additives, they could significantly impact the drinker’s teeth. “Some powders and syrups may contain high levels of sugar or citric acid, which can erode tooth enamel and cause decay,” he cautioned.

“Sugar can feed bacteria in the mouth, causing them to produce harmful acids that attack teeth.” Citric acid can also erode tooth enamel, causing pain and sensitivity. Food dyes, which are present in many of these products, can stain teeth over time.”

He advised those who enjoy drinking flavored waters to do so “in moderation” and to rinse their mouths afterward.

According to Dr. Al-Imran Khan

However, drinking a lot of sugary water may harm more than just your teeth. According to Dr. Al-Imran Khan, GP at Mercuri Health, the idea of flavoring water was “originally invented by post-bariatric patients to increase their hydration” but has gone viral, potentially having negative health consequences.

“Artificial sweetener or flavoring ingredients, such as those used in powders and syrups to be mixed with water, can cause various health problems, including cardiovascular disease and possibly early-onset diabetes,” he cautioned.

But These drinks are low on sugar

According to Silvia Micheletti, a nutritionist at Rainbow Labs, the drinks are marketed as a “healthy alternative to sugary drinks” because they believe flavored water contains less sugar than juices or fizzy drinks.

“Look at the ingredients instead of the calories,” she advised. “In fact, maltodextrins, highly processed carbohydrates derived from starch, are abundant in these artificial flavorings.”

“They are commonly used as a thickener, bulking agent, or sweetener in many processed foods.” However, maltodextrins are very similar to sugar and can cause a rapid spike in blood sugar levels, which can cause weight gain, diabetes, fatty liver disease, atherosclerosis, mood swings, fatigue, autoimmune diseases, and cardiovascular disease in some people.”

Dr. Khan advised against drinking flavored water, saying, “If you need a bit of flavor in your water, try a slice of lemon or other natural ingredients, which are far healthier.”

Source: www.msn.com