If you thought bottled water just gave you style points, it's time to go back to Safeway. The new trend is "enhanced water," beverages that boast various supplements and nutrients that don't come out of a tap. Already PepsiCo and Snapple have entries in the field, and Coca-Cola will float one with a Dasani label this fall. Alas, none of these superwaters delivers much in the way of real nutrition - so don't give up the fruits and vegetables just yet. How much do you need to drink to get the US RDA of vitamin C? It depends. Here's how six competitors stack up.
Glaceau (Energy Brands)
Vitamin Water
SLOGAN: "Drink better water."
PRICE PER GALLON $8.90
HOW MUCH YOU'LL NEED TO DRINK TO GET US RDA OF VITAMIN C 3.3 bottles
TOTAL VITAMINS AND MINERALS 14
IF IT WERE A PC, IT WOULD BE AN Apple
TASTE TEST Essential Orange-Carrot: Buttery and full-bodied with sharp citrus tones. A-
PepsiCo
AQUAFINA ESSENTIALS MULTI-V
SLOGAN: "Nothing and more."
PRICE PER GALLON $8.90
HOW MUCH YOU'LL NEED TO DRINK TO GET US RDA OF VITAMIN C 4 bottles
TOTAL VITAMINS AND MINERALS 8
IF IT WERE A PC, IT WOULD BE AN IBM
TASTE TEST Watermelon: Juicy with nicely rounded sugars and slightly sour finish. B+
Veryfine Products
FRUIT20 PLUS
SLOGAN: "With good for you vitamins & herbs."
PRICE PER GALLON $6.34
HOW MUCH YOU'LL NEED TO DRINK TO GET US RDA OF VITAMIN C 2 bottles
TOTAL VITAMINS AND MINERALS 8
IF IT WERE A PC, IT WOULD BE AN eMachine
TASTE TEST Berry Relaxing: Tart fruits with punchy berry nose. C+
Baxter Healthcare
PULSE HEART HEALTH FORMULA
SLOGAN: "Nutrition made simple."
PRICE PER GALLON $15.07
HOW MUCH YOU'LL NEED TO DRINK TO GET US RDA OF VITAMIN C 1 bottle
TOTAL VITAMINS AND MINERALS 4
IF IT WERE A PC, IT WOULD BE A Sony
TASTE TEST Mandarin Citrus: Oppressive tangy sweetness on soapy body. C-
Gatorade (PepsiCo)
PROPEL FITNESS WATER
SLOGAN: "Flavor to hydrate, vitamins to nourish."
PRICE PER GALLON $7.51
HOW MUCH YOU'LL NEED TO DRINK TO GET US RDA OF VITAMIN C 3.3 bottles
TOTAL VITAMINS AND MINERALS 8
IF IT WERE A PC, IT WOULD BE A Dell
TASTE TEST Dominant sugars resolving to dry mouth. Shrill berry notes. D-
Coca-Cola
DASANI NUTRIWATER
SLOGAN: "Treat yourself well. Everyday."
PRICE PER GALLON $11.22
HOW MUCH YOU'LL NEED TO DRINK TO GET US RDA OF VITAMIN C 5 bottles
TOTAL VITAMINS AND MINERALS 5
IF IT WERE A PC, IT WOULD BE A Gateway
TASTE TEST Still in beta; not available for tasting.
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