Is vitamin water really beneficial?

By Maria Asselin-Roy, Staff Reporter

ecently, nutritionists at Health

Canada have been weighing

the pros and cons of vitamin
“water”. Vitamin water is owned by
Coca-Cola, and many nutritionists
believe that the Coca-Cola Company is
misleading customers of vitamin water
by advertising the product as a healthier
beverage option. Because Health Canada
officials believes that what vitamin
water is promoting is not true, the
department’s chief of nutrition suggests
that the company should consider taking
the word “water” out of the beverage
name. The department’s chiefs of
nutrition as well as other vitamin water
consumers say that it is misleading that
this product has the word “water” in the
title, as the ingredients show there are
more added sugars than vitamins. The

second ingredient in a regular bottle
of vitamin water is sugar, or otherwise

called “crystalline fructose”, which makes

sceptics question what is so healthy about
this beverage choice.

_ The answer appears to be, not much.
According to Health Canada, there are
eight teaspoons of sugar in one bottle
of vitamin water. Although there are
vitamins added to the beverage, that
still does not make vitamin water the
healthiest option. Each flavour of vitamin
water is given a name such as “defence”,
“multi v’, “focus” and others. According
to Advertising Standards Canada, names

such as these are given to products so that
people want to buy and consume them. To

the Coca-Cola Company’s advantage, it

works, thanks to the latest craze of natural

and organic health products that have

been popping up in various stores over the

past few years. Health Canada’s statistics

also show that although vitamin water is
marketed as a health drink with benefits,
it contains about 32 grams of sugar in
comparison to Coca-Cola which has 42
grams in a can and 38 grams in a can of
Sprite. To put this in a larger perspective,
the American Heart Association
recommends that the maximum daily
intake of added sugar should be only 25
grams for women and 37.5 grams for
men.

It is widely seen that vitamin water is
among the more popular vending machine
drinks, especially in young people. While
vitamin water is now sold practically
everywhere, it is especially prominent in
places such as schools, Douglas College
for example. Places like Douglas College
are a major market for brands like vitamin
water. Coca-Cola currently has a wide
range of products, making up $4.5 billion
in sales in the United States alone every

 

year. In order to remain healthy, people
are urged by health officials to read
nutrition labels and remember that just
plain water is best to rehydrate your body.

 

 

Summer time, thinking of taking off

somewhere?

A look at vacations for students

By Jenn Markham

en final exams are over,

many students will be making

plans for summer time
trips-and vacations. The Other Press
interviewed Monica Werner, travel
counsellor at Meritime Travel for some
tips and cautions. “Lately, everyone is
going to Cabo, San Lucas or Cancun”
she said. On Facebook, a lot of students
talk about all inclusives, and Werner said
they’re great. “You don’t need to worry
about where to eat, pulling out your
wallet every time you want a drink, most
activities, such as snorkelling, kayaking,
and boogie boards are included” she
said. “For a week or two of fun and sun
all inclusive [deals] are no brainers.” But
she also warned that “some resorts cater
to families or honeymooners and may
not be ideal for you.”
Everyone loves a deal, but this brings
up an important point when it comes to

 

planning your vacations, because some
deals can be deceiving. A flight that
leaves at seven and gets back at ten is
ideal, unless it’s 7am on the 14" and
10am on 15" with five-six stops and
layovers in between.

This might be a good reason to

consider a travel agent, as they don’t
cost anymore to book with them.
They’ve also all done a lot of travelling
themselves so they know the fine details.
As well, if something goes sideways on
your trip, your travel agent will do their
best to help you. ;

Werner wanted to caution about some
problems student aged travellers might
run into such as “broken bones, cuts_
and sprains from being more active

and taking risks in the name of fun and
adventure.” They also run more of a risk
of being robbed or pick pocketed, and
missing their plane or train by sleeping
in. So research before you leave, and set
your alarm this summer.

 

 

 

BROOKLYN PUB

WATERFRONT LOUNGE

250 Columbia St.

THURSDAY

STUDENT
NIGHT!

igs Tommy
the
TUNE TWISTER

604.517.2966 www.br vel a hater