Warning over ‘highly damaging’ new trend promising rapid weight loss and clear skin
A VIRAL trend that encourages people to stay hydrated could be wreaking havoc on your skin, teeth and gut health, experts warn.
TikTok is flooded with videos urging users to add sickly sweet powders and syrups to their water to help them drink more.
It’s promoted as a sure-fire way of upping your water intake, clearing spotty skin and losing weight.
But experts say that while it’s hugely beneficial to consume plenty of fluids, this approach may be doing more harm than good.
Award-winning dietitian Dr Duane Mellor, from Aston Medical School in Birmingham, told The Sun: “Water is the best drink in terms of the health of our teeth and generally.
“But adding sugars and syrups, especially to large drinks, not only means more calories, it increases the risk of tooth damage and decay.
“If you add a lot of acid, common in soft drinks like colas but also in some fruit, this can erode the tough enamel which coats our teeth.
“Sweeteners may be better than sugar in terms of the effect on our teeth and energy, but with some, there is evidence of a tiny effect on how our bodies work, including the bacteria which help to regulate our bowel health.
“Bulking agents and thickeners, which these sweet flavourings often feature, may contain fibre, which might help to keep us regular.
“But when in a large volume drink, this might affect our appetites meaning we eat less healthy foods at meal times and miss out on key nutrients like protein, vitamins and minerals.”
Posts related to #WaterTok have been viewed almost 700million times.
Most frequently, users film themselves pouring flavoured sachets or pumping brightly-coloured syrups (similar to squash in the UK) into huge cups or bottles.
These are often Starburst or Skittles flavoured, or inspired by cocktails or desserts like “piña colada water”, “birthday cake water”, or “banana split water”.
The videos aren’t necessarily explicitly about weight loss, but they frequently mention it in the hashtags.
One woman, who shares her favourite combinations, consistently tags #weightloss, #goals and #weightlosstransformation, while another uses #caloriecounter, #dieting and #healthydrinks.
Some of the products featured on screen also have names like Skinny Mixes and Skinny Syrups, or have recipes titled “skinny recipe”.
Others focus more on the supposed benefits it can have for your skin, like anti-ageing, clearing acne and maintaining a healthy complexion.
In one video, a woman shares her recipe for “glowy skin water”, while another tells her followers: “Drink this. Your skin will thank you.”
Adding sugars and syrups not only means more calories, it increases the risk of tooth damage and decay.
Dr Duane Mellor
Dr Sam Jethwa, vice president of the British Association for Cosmetic Dentistry, described syrups and powders, particularly those containing sugar, corn syrup or citric acid, as a “sure-fire recipe for damaging teeth”.
Not only do they have the potential to erode your enamel, cause sensitivity and pain, they can also stain your gnashers, he told MailOnline.
Others warned of increased chances of developing more serious health conditions, as well as problems with gut health.
Consultant dietitian Ro Huntriss told The Sun: “Hydration is essential to health, and even survival.
“But when thinking about keeping ourselves hydrated, it’s important to think about the fluids we are consuming and their effect on wider health.
“The #WaterTok recipes use different flavours and syrups to increase water’s palatability – some are sugar-based and others use sweeteners.
“Consuming added sugar in excess can lead to weight gain, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
“The sugar-free versions which use artificial sweeteners reduce the concerns around sugar and calories, however, like most things, they still shouldn’t be consumed in excess due to potential negative health implications.”
‘HIGHLY DAMAGING’
Speaking to The Independent, Silvia Micheletti, a nutritionist at Rainbow Labs, added: “Artificial flavourings contain high levels of maltodextrins which are highly processed carbohydrates that are derived from starch.
“They are commonly used as food additives in many processed foods as a thickener, bulking agent, or sweetener.
“However, maltodextrins are quite similar to sugar and can cause a rapid spike in blood sugar levels, which may lead to health problems for some people such as weight gain, diabetes, fatty liver disease, atherosclerosis, mood swing, fatigue, autoimmune diseases, and cardiovascular disease.”
And Dr Caitlin Hall, chief dietitian and head of clinical research supplement brand myota, said: “These chemicals can have a highly damaging effect on the delicate gut microbiome.”
This can mean bloating, discomfort, weight gain and even depression and chronic disease.
The NHS‘s Eatwell Guide recommends people should aim to drink six to eight glasses of fluid a day.
Water, lower-fat milk and sugar-free drinks, including tea and coffee, all count.
You may need to drink more fluids if you’re:
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- In a hot environment
- Physically active for long periods
- Ill or recovering from illness
When it comes to sweeteners, the health service says they don’t necessarily make food or drink healthy, but they can help reduce your sugar intake, risk of tooth decay and weight gain.
However, artificially-sweetened beverages are associated with dental erosion due to their acid content.
They have also been linked to behavioural and cognitive problems, and aspartame in particular may hike your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer.
The World Health Organization is reportedly about to designate the ingredient, which gives Diet Coke its sweet touch, “possibly carcinogenic”.
Experts generally agree that if you want to add flavour to your water, you should try fresh fruits like a slice of lemon, vegetables like cucumber, and herbs and spices like mint or cinnamon.
Ro, who runs the website Fertility Dietitian UK, said: “Although #WaterTok can improve hydration levels, when these drinks are consumed in excess there could be negative associations too.
“Water should be our main drink of choice. A great way to naturally flavour water is with fruits or vegetables such as lemon or cucumber.
“If you choose to add manufactured sweeteners, it would be advisable to opt for the sugar-free versions, but try to limit your overall intake.”
She added: “It is worth noting that it is possible to consume too much water.
“A good indication of hydration status is looking at the colour of your urine.
“If it is a pale straw colour, you’re doing well, but if your urine is completely transparent, it may be a sign you’re drinking more water than you need.”