Splash Refresher Sparkling Water

While a new ad campaign for Splash Refresher sparkling water featuring Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson has renewed rumors of a possible “Pitch Perfect 4,” we aren’t the experts on Hollywood gossip.

So instead let’s examine the company’s claim and tagline that its drinks are “like water, but good.” Because in many ways, its beverages are not like water at all.

Specifically, Splash Refresher’s products contain a number of ingredients you might not expect to find in a drink marketed as “like water” or even a typical sparkling water or seltzer. Here’s the full list, according to an FAQ on the company’s website:

Purified water, less than 0.5% of natural flavors, citric acid (to preserve freshness), sodium polyphosphate, magnesium sulfate, potassium sorbate (to preserve freshness), potassium benzoate (to preserve freshness), sucralose, acesulfame potassium, calcium disodium edta and zinc sulfate.

And some of these ingredients may not be “good” for you, despite the company’s claims to offer a “healthy hydration” option.

According to some experts, artificial sweeteners like sucralose, which is sold under the brand name Splenda, have been linked to a range of health conditions including obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. High intake of non-caloric sweeteners has also been associated with depression in adults.

And while preservatives can serve an important purpose – keeping our food fresh and mold-free – and are widely used by the food industry and generally recognized as safe, these additives can also be harmful to certain individuals, particularly those with food allergies or food sensitivities.

With respect to potassium benzoate, one of the three preservatives listed, the medical information website Healthline warns that while “generally considered safe” to consume, “more research is needed on the long-term health effects of ingesting this compound.”

And despite marketing its products with images of bursting oranges, berries, kiwis and watermelon, no actual fruit ingredients are listed.

The company did not respond to TINA.org’s request for comment.

The bottom line

Before you join the “anti-plain water club,” you might want to consider some of the actual ingredients in Splash Refresher’s products, in addition to those that are left out.

Find more of our coverage on water.