A number of new water products are coming onto the market with claims of different functional benefits.
Here are some examples:
Alkaline e-O2 Sports Water (TM): is "a super-oxygenated, super-hydrating bottled water containing a patent-pending energy formula". Currently available on the American market, its producers claim it can normalise total-body acidity and promotes fast muscle recovery from moderate to strenuous exercise.
"EON" water: is structured water which is formed through a proprietary process (patent pending) which alters the molecular structure of purified water. "It is a manufactured replication of the natural structures found in all fruits and vegetables as well as newborn infants. This allows the users of EON water to achieve enhanced intra-cellular hydration through significant absorption capability."
Bioavailable additives: BASF, the German chemical company, is developing a range of enhanced minerals for use in water. For example, it produces a vitamin E with significantly smaller particles that make it a "clear" additive and suitable for use in water. The micro-particle size is supposed to assist the body in the uptake of the vitamin.
Diet waters: are an obvious target for water producers. In addition to Shannon Minerals' use of appetite suppressant hydroxy citric acid, Nestlé launched its Contrex water as a diet water in the UK in 2004.
Cosmetic water: French company Microfluid Biotechnology recently launched L'eau Bronzante, a water with added beta carotene to help customers achieve a bronzer skin. Vichy, another French producer, has a functional water that it claims improves the hydration rate by 7 per cent, giving users a better way to keep their skin healthy.
Haydn Shaughnessy