Two years ago, social networks they were filled of giant glasses of water of all colors and flavoring powders. That effervescent fashion was called WaterTok: a digital community that transformed hydration into likes. Now, the phenomenon has returned with another name and a more sophisticated air: loaded water, or water loaded with ingredients that promise energy, balance and digestive health. The difference is not so much aesthetic as speech: less glitter, more “functionality.”
The functional era of water? Between Generation Z and the wellness-loving public has arisen he loaded water, that unlike the WaterTokis presented as a “conscious” evolution. For many, it is a way to give up soda and drink more water: “It helps me consume much more water than I normally consume per day,” said a creator on TikTok. He loaded water reappears this year as a “functional” version: water to which electrolytes, fruits or prebiotics are added to improve the flavor and promote adherence to hydration. However, like the experts remember Water alone is still sufficient for most people, except in cases of prolonged exercise or exposure to extreme heat.
So, this new trend would be an evolution of traditional infused water, with a discourse that mixes nutrition and wellness aesthetics. “If flavored water displaces sugary drinks, it is healthier,” summarizes dietitian Fiorella DiCarloalthough with an important nuance: “Dehydration can cause fatigue, slow down metabolism and increase sugar cravings, which can lead to weight gain.” From that logic, the loaded water It becomes a tool for those looking to hydrate better without adding sugar.
Is it so hard to drink water? There is no viralization without an uncomfortable truth behind it: many people do not reach the daily hydration recommendations. According to Mayo Clinicrecommends 15.5 cups of liquids a day for men and 11.5 for women, remembering that not only water counts, but also fruits and other foods with high water content. Additionally, the Cleveland Clinic medical portal relates the lack of water with cravings for sweets, something that loaded water promises to combat by offering flavor without sugar.
With or without flavor? It is not a fixed recipe, since it can include electrolytes, prebiotics, sparkling water, fruits, herbs or vitamins, depending on the needs or taste of each person. In short, as a Fitness portal explainsis a creative and functional way to hydrate, which allows you to customize the drink according to your goals: energy, digestion or simply flavor.
Regular water is still enough for most people, except those who engage in intense physical activity or are exposed to extreme heat. The rest, recalls nutritionist Helen Tieuyou can get the same minerals through a balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, nuts and dairy.
Healthy fashion or profitable business? The border between well-being and business is easily blurred. In a report for the New York Times documented as the #WaterTok phenomenon skyrocketed sales of syrups and flavoring mixes: brands like Jordan’s Skinny Mixes sold out and doubled their revenue. Many of the creators who popularized the movement included affiliate links to the products they used.
Under the same prism, loaded water falls within the “liquid aesthetics of well-being”, where translucent, colorful and photogenic drinks triumph —like clear protein—. The visual is sold as synonymous with health, even though there are ultra-processed products behind it. And there lies the slightest difference with a more sober and “scientific” tone, but ultimately it responds to the same commercial logic: converting water into a product that can be labeled, promoted and sold.
Back to the essentials. Not all experts join the wave of functional powders. Nutritionist Ángela Quintas defends the return to nature and shares simple recipes for waters flavored with cucumber, mint, lemon or red fruits. “Hydration is not just drinking water, it is taking care of your metabolism, your skin, your energy and your health from within,” remembers in statements to La Vanguardia.
To avoid confusion, nutritionists match on some basic principles: prioritize fresh fruits, herbs or coconut water over industrial powders, limit sodium and artificial flavorings if consumed several times a day, and adjust hydration to individual needs. In situations of prolonged effort or extreme heat, electrolytes may make sense, but it is always advisable to consult a professional if there are kidney or cardiovascular problems.
The water is no longer invisible. Under the guise of health, the loaded water It is also an example of how far wellness marketing can go. If in 2023 the WaterTok turned hydration into a spectacle, in 2025 the loaded water He has transformed it into a business. What started as a reminder to drink more water is today an industry of dyes, powders and promises. The trend passes, the thirst remains.
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