MiO Flavored Water: Assessing its Impact on Your Health

‍Staying hydrated is important for normal bodily function, cognitive health, and good quality of life. But even if you’re aware of this, it can be hard to get enough water, especially if you have a busy lifestyle.

If you struggle with drinking enough water, you may have wondered if MiO water enhancers can help. Similarly to brands like Crystal Light and Sweet Leaf, MiO is a liquid water enhancer that is designed to help you customize plain water with different flavors.

But is this flavored water enhancer good for you? Read on to learn more about MiO, its ingredients, and how it may affect your health. 

What is MiO?

MiO is a sugar and calorie free liquid water enhancer. Each MiO product is available in a variety of flavors and sweetened with the artificial sweeteners sucralose and acesulfame potassium. 

MiO sells four different products:

• MiO Original, which adds flavor to your drinking water
• MiO Energy, which contains about 60 milligrams of caffeine per half serving 
• MiO Vitamins, which contains 10 percent of your daily serving of vitamins B3, B6, and B12
• MiO Electrolytes, which is sold as a sports drink and contains 75 milligrams of sodium and 35 milligrams of potassium.

Some flavors of MiO Vitamins are naturally sweetened with stevia leaf extract. As a result, they’re sugar free and have zero calories, and have been marketed as a healthy replacement for sugary drinks such as sodas and juices.

How is MiO Used?

MiO’s different products are designed to add natural flavor, vitamins, and/or caffeine to your water. You can easily add MiO to a glass of water, sparkling water, or a water bottle to help boost your daily hydration.

MiO is sold in a 1.62 fluid-ounce bottle. Because it’s a concentrated liquid, it’s meant to be diluted with at least eight ounces of water. MiO flavors and products can be mixed together, but they are not designed to be mixed with alcohol. 

MiO doesn’t require refrigeration, but it should be used within 30 days of opening. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before drinking MiO.

Is MiO Bad for You?

While MiO claims to be a healthy water enhancer, there are some potential side effects and health concerns associated with some of the ingredients found in MiO products. These include artificial sweeteners, synthetic dyes, and preservatives.

Let’s take a look at what potential health effects these ingredients can have on your overall health. 

Artificial Sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners are synthetic sugar substitutes. They have virtually no calories and are about 200-600 times sweeter than sugar. They are regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration as food additives. 

Artificial sweeteners have been shown to have some negative side effects, although this is the subject of some debate. One 2010 study found that the sweet taste of artificial sweeteners might increase sugar cravings and encourage sugar dependence. 

This might explain why other studies have found that people who drink beverages sweetened with artificial sweeteners may actually gain weight. Other studies, however, have found conflicting results, meaning that more research in this area is still needed.

Some artificial sweeteners have come under scrutiny for potential altering the gut microbiome in ways that may increase risk of certain metabolic diseases. 

Currently, six artificial sweeteners, also called high-intensity sweeteners, are approved by the FDA. These include:

• Saccharin
• Aspartame
• Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K)
• Sucralose
• Neotame
• Advantame

Sucralose

Sucralose is one of the artificial sweeteners found in MiO. It is currently the only non-caloric sweetener made from sugar. It is made by replacing three hydroxyl groups in sugar with three chlorine atoms.

Though some studies show that sucralose has no effect on blood sugar or insulin production, other research shows that it may decrease insulin sensitivity and affect blood sugar. There is also evidence to suggest that sucralose may have a negative effect on the bacteria in your gut microbiome. 

Studies done in animals have suggested that sucralose’s interaction with gut bacteria may play a role in chronic inflammation, but more research is needed to establish a link in humans. 

Ace-K (Acesulfame Potassium)

Acesulfame Potassium, or Ace-K, is an artificial sweetener that is about 200 times sweeter than sugar. Though this sweetener is approved by the FDA, organizations like the Center for Science in the Public Interest urge people to avoid Ace-K until further testing is carried out. 

This is because during the initial safety testing, rats used in animal tests were poorly attended, and randomization for the test subjects was also not properly carried out. 

One 2017 study on mice also found that Ace-K may have a negative effect on the healthy bacteria in the gut microbiome of mice, which led to weight gain and disruptions in energy metabolism. However, more research and human studies are needed to establish a link. 

Artificial Dyes

MiO contains artificial food dyes, also called color additives. Some color additives used in MiO include Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Red 40, and Blue 1. Even though the FDA has approved these dyes for use in food products, there is some concern about the potential health risks they may cause.

For example, some studies have suggested that artificial colorings may contribute to hyperactivity in children, particularly Yellow 5 and Red 40, which are among the most widely used color additives in the U.S. 

Other studies have found that Yellow 5 could be associated with trouble sleeping and increased irritability in children, but further study is needed. All of the artificial dyes used in MiO may also cause hypersensitive or allergic reactions in some people. 

Preservatives 

MiO products contain propylene glycol, which is a thick, odorless and colorless liquid that is used as a preservative. Propylene glycol absorbs extra water and maintains moisture in many products. 

While it’s generally considered safe, high and repeated exposure, particularly to skin, may have negative effects on the central nervous system and heart. Ingestion of foods with propylene glycol have also been shown to cause contact dermatitis, which is an inflammation of the skin. 

MiO also contains potassium sorbate, which is a chemical additive that is synthetically produced for use as a preservative. Research has found evidence to suggest this additive may lead to cytotoxic and genotoxic effects, which can have a number of side effects on your health.

What Else is in MiO?

B Vitamins

MiO Energy and MiO Vitamins contain Vitamins B3, B6, and B12. B Vitamins are essential nutrients that help our bodies function properly.

Vitamin B3, also called niacin, helps you obtain energy from food you eat. It’s important for brain function, communication between cells, and maintaining the antioxidant function of your cells.

Vitamin B6 performs many functions in the body, including cognitive development, immune function, and metabolism. Some studies suggest that vitamin B6 in adequate amounts may play a role in preventing some types of cancer, but more research is needed to confirm these findings. 

Vitamin B12 is a nutrient that helps keep your blood and nerve cells healthy, helps energy levels, and helps make DNA. Vitamin B12 deficiency can make you feel tired and weak, cause depression, cause balance and memory problems, and damage the nervous system. 

It’s important to note that adequate intake of B vitamins can ideally be achieved through eating foods rich in these vitamins, such as protein-rich foods. Research shows that consuming additional supplemental B vitamins beyond what is needed for adequacy offers no additional health benefit and excess intake may cause more harm than good. 

Electrolytes

Some MiO products, like MiO Sport, contain the electrolytes potassium and sodium. Electrolytes have a natural positive or negative charge when dissolved in water. Your body uses these charges to transport chemicals in and out of cells and help your cells maintain the right balance of fluid. 

Many foods contain electrolyte minerals in adequate amounts to meet your electrolyte needs, as long as you’re eating plenty of nutrient-dense whole foods. 

Stevia

Unlike Ace-K and sucralose, stevia is considered a natural sweetener. Stevia is 200-300 sweeter than sugar, and its sweetness comes from compounds called stevioside and rebaudioside A and C.

Because it isn’t fully absorbed by the body, stevia doesn’t have a negative effect on blood sugar control, insulin production, or fasting blood sugar levels for most people. It is non-cariogenic, meaning it won’t cause tooth decay. 

Currently, stevia is only used to sweeten certain flavors of MiO Vitamins. Other MiO alternatives may rely on other sweeteners.

Does MiO Affect Blood Sugar?

Studies show that sucralose, which is used in MiO, is partially metabolized by the body and may affect blood sugar level. The sweet taste receptors in your gastrointestinal tract may increase insulin production in response to sucralose, increasing the risk for potential blood sugar spikes. 

This research also suggests that drinking high-intensity sweetened beverages may impair the release of glucagon-like peptide-1, or GLP-1. GLP-1 is a hormone that helps regulate insulin production, delays gastric emptying, and increases satiety. Impaired GLP-1 secretion can lead to weight gain and increased blood sugar. 

The sweetener used in the MiO product of choice may impact this, however, since research shows that stevia does not tend to affect blood sugar. If you are opting to use MiO, the naturally sweetened varieties of MiO may be your best bet when it comes to avoiding blood sugar spikes.  

Does MiO Have Any Health Benefits?

If you have trouble drinking enough water because you prefer sweetened beverages, MiO water enhancers may help you increase your water intake. 

However, MiO contains artificial sweeteners, dyes, and preservatives that may have side effects. High-intensity sweeteners present in MiO have also been shown to increase sugar cravings and sugar dependence in the long run. 

MiO is considered safe to use by the FDA and its ingredients may have some health benefits. Still, you may want to consider your particular diet and health needs when deciding if MiO could be a healthy addition to your lifestyle. Consider consulting with an expert, like a credentialed nutritionist if you want to add MiO to your diet.

Alternatives to MiO

MiO isn’t the only way to add flavor and vitamins to your water. Adding fruits to your water may help you increase your water intake without adding a lot of sugar or artificial sweeteners. Here are some examples of fruits that you can add: 

• Lemon
• Lime
• Cucumber
• Oranges
• Berries
• Apples 

Herbal infusions like basil, mint, lemongrass, and rosemary could also be great ways to experiment with flavors.