Touted as a healthier alternative to sugary sodas, flavored sparkling water has soared into the mainstream over the past decade. It’s now a standard item on millions of Americans’ grocery lists.
And though bubbly water is indeed much healthier than the health hazard that is soda, it’s not as innocent as it appears.
This is all because of the ingredient that makes flavored water taste, well, flavorful: “natural flavors.”
What Are Natural Flavors?
In the ingredients list of flavored sparkling water, consumers see two ingredients listed: carbonated water and natural flavors. But in actuality, there are dozens of unlisted ingredients that make up natural flavors….