Did you know that our body is made of 60% water? The water helps provide structure to our cells, remove waste, transport nutrients and regulate our body temperature.
While plain water doesn’t contain any calories, there are a number of other watery drinks that have some calories. We find out what water contains calories and how much water you need to drink every day to stay healthy.
How Many Calories Does Plain Water Have?
Plain water contains zero calories which means that you can drink as much water as you like without having to worry about your calorie intake.
There are three nutrients in food and drink that makes up calories: proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Alcohol is another consideration that can contribute to a higher calorie count.
Plain water does not contain any carbs, protein, fats or alcohol. This being said, water can contain traces of other nutrients and minerals, such as copper, zinc, sodium, magnesium and calcium.
Some countries, including the US, add fluoride to their water supply to help reduce widespread tooth decay. One study discovered that an adult who drinks two liters of water a day can fulfill up to 30% of his daily need for magnesium and calcium.
Does Bottled Water Contain Calories?
If your bottled water is plain water, then it is likely calorie-free. However, make sure to check the label as this will indicate the calorie count. If your bottle water is carbonated water or water with additives, then you can expect your water to have some calories.
In recent years, the consumption of bottled water has increased in America because of the strong local variations of nutrients in tap water.
Types Of Water That May Contain Calories
Plain water doesn’t have any particular taste. That’s why many people prefer carbonated or flavored waters. While some of these waters may not have any calories, most fruit-flavored waters and carbonated drinks contain at least a small amount of calories.
Carbonated Water
You can find carbonated waters under a variety of names, including tonic water, seltzer, club soda or sparkling water.
Carbonated water contains carbonic acid which is a type of carbon dioxide. This is what makes your carbonated water fizz.
While carbonated waters can be plain, they often contain minerals and natural flavors that improve the aroma. This type of plain carbonated water is calorie-free.
This being said, carbonated tonic water is usually sweetened with sugar or other additives. This means that a bottle of tonic water can contain over 100 calories.
However, there are also diet tonic waters that replace traditional sugar with other flavors. They are typically free from calories.
Protein Water
Protein is a substance in drinks and foods that contributes to an increased calorie count. As protein waters contain whey protein, they also have some calories.
Saying this, protein water usually contains fewer calories than carbonated drinks. But it’s important to look out for the sugar or sweetener content. This can add additional calories.
This makes protein water a great low-calorie alternative to protein shakes. They are low in calories but packed with protein. This is ideal for everyone who wants to lose weight and build muscles.
Protein water contains whey protein isolate, an ingredient that packs a lot of pure protein.
Fruit-Flavored Water
Fruit-flavored or fruit-infused waters contain sliced fruits, herbs or fruit flavors that give your water a distinctive fruity aroma.
You can find a wide variety of waters with fruit flavor combinations, including orange and cucumber, rosemary and grapefruit, lime and raspberry or mango and blueberry.
Fruit-infused or fruit-flavored water contains a small number of calories because of the fruit juice. Depending on what type of fruit water you are drinking, you can expect your water to have a few calories.
As a rule of thumb, fruits are always low in calories, so they don’t add a lot to your water. However, fruit can contribute plenty of vitamins and minerals to your diet. When you add fruit to your water, you can enjoy all the benefits of your favorite fruit.
This being said, store-bought fruit-flavored waters can contain a large amount of sugar which can add to your calorie intake. That’s why make sure to check the nutrition label; on your fruit-infused water.
How Much Water Should You Drink Every Day?
As water doesn’t contain any calories, you can drink as much as you like. There is no official recommendation for how much water an adult should drink every day.
There are also a number of different factors that influence your water intake, including what you eat, your age, body size, how active you are and where you live.
The National Academy of Medicine provides a recommendation for women to drink 2.7 liters of water a day and men to drink 3.7 liters of water a day.
This seems to be extremely high but the recommended amount includes water from drinks, food and anything you ingest. The majority of total water intake for adults comes from beverages, while the rest is from food.
If you eat foods that are rich in water, such as citrus fruits, watermelon and cucumbers, then your water intake is much higher.
Other beverages that you drink also contribute to the recommended water intake, including tea, coffee and alcoholic drinks. Just keep in mind that some of these drinks are considered dehydrating, such as coffee or alcohol.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Fat Does Water Contain?
Plain water does not contain any fat as it doesn’t have any calories. This being said, carbonated water and other types of water may contain a low amount of fat.
How Many Carbohydrates Does Water Contain?
Plain water does not contain any carbs because it doesn’t have any calories. However, other types of water with additives may contain carbohydrates.
Final Thoughts
As plain water is calorie-free, you can drink as much of it as you want without worrying about gaining weight. If you choose to drink carbonated water, just check the nutritional label.
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