Does it still count as water if I put mio in it? The facts on hydration and flavor

October 8, 2025 •

4 min read

According to research, up to 28% of adults are often dehydrated, partly due to finding plain water unappealing. Adding a water enhancer like MiO can make drinking water more enjoyable, but the common question remains: does it still count as water if I put mio in it? The short answer is yes, but the longer answer involves understanding the ingredients and their effects on your body.

Quick Summary

Using MiO to flavor water still provides hydration from the water base. While it encourages fluid intake, it contains artificial additives that plain water lacks. This requires your body to process additional ingredients, but it remains a sugar-free, low-calorie alternative to sodas.

Key Points

MiO still counts as water: Because it consists almost entirely of water, MiO-flavored beverages contribute to your daily fluid intake.
Hydration benefits are equal: For general hydration, MiO doesn't offer additional benefits over plain water, aside from encouraging higher consumption due to its taste.
Contains artificial ingredients: Unlike plain water, MiO relies on a cocktail of artificial sweeteners, flavors, and preservatives.
Moderation is key: It is best to use MiO in moderation to avoid potential negative health effects associated with long-term, excessive consumption of artificial additives.
Consider the variants: Some MiO versions like MiO Sport contain added electrolytes, which can be beneficial during intense physical activity to replenish lost minerals.
Natural alternatives are best: Infusing water with fresh fruits or herbs provides a healthier, additive-free way to enjoy flavored hydration.
Kidneys work harder: Your kidneys must process the artificial components in MiO, which adds to their workload compared to pure water.

Understanding Hydration: The Basic Function of Water

To determine if MiO still qualifies as water for hydration purposes, it's essential to understand how the body uses water. Proper hydration is critical for regulating body temperature, lubricating joints, transporting nutrients, and maintaining organ function. The primary mechanism of hydration is the water molecule itself ($H_2O$), and as MiO is a concentrated liquid meant to be diluted in a large volume of water, the base remains the same. When you add MiO, you are simply flavoring your water; you aren't fundamentally changing its core hydrating properties. The hydration benefits you get from drinking MiO-flavored water are virtually identical to drinking plain water, assuming you don't overconsume the concentrate.

The Composition of MiO: What Are You Really Drinking?

While the base is water, what does the MiO liquid itself contain? Understanding its ingredients is key to evaluating its nutritional profile. Most MiO varieties contain a mix of ingredients that give it flavor, color, and a long shelf life.

Common ingredients found in MiO include:

Artificial Sweeteners: These provide the sweet taste without adding sugar or calories. Common ones are sucralose and acesulfame potassium (Ace-K). Some MiO Vitamins variants use the natural sweetener stevia leaf extract.
Flavorings: A blend of natural and artificial flavors is used to create the wide range of tastes.
Artificial Colors: These dyes, such as Yellow 5 and Red 40, are used to give the drinks a vivid color.
Preservatives: Ingredients like potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate are used to prevent microbial growth and extend shelf life.
Other Additives: MiO Energy contains caffeine, taurine, and B vitamins, while MiO Sport has added electrolytes like sodium and potassium.

Potential Concerns with Artificial Additives

While generally recognized as safe by the FDA, some ingredients in MiO are subject to ongoing research and debate. Artificial sweeteners like sucralose and Ace-K have raised concerns about their potential effects on blood sugar, insulin sensitivity, and the gut microbiome. Additionally, excessive intake of propylene glycol, a preservative, has been linked to potential kidney strain over time. These are some of the reasons why pure water is considered the optimal choice for hydration, as it requires no metabolic processing beyond filtering.

Plain Water vs. MiO-Enhanced Water: A Comparison Table


Feature	Plain Water	MiO-Enhanced Water
Core Hydration	Excellent. Consists purely of water ($H_2O$), which is optimally absorbed by the body.	Excellent. The hydration comes from the same pure water base.
Ingredients	Zero additives, chemicals, or sweeteners.	Contains a mix of artificial sweeteners, flavors, colors, and preservatives.
Calorie Content	Zero calories.	Zero calories for most standard versions due to artificial sweeteners.
Flavor	Naturally flavorless, which can be unappealing to some.	Customizable flavor options to suit personal taste.
Kidney Workload	Low. Kidneys easily process and filter pure water.	Slightly higher. Kidneys must metabolize and filter the added chemical components.
Additional Nutrients	Contains naturally occurring minerals, depending on the source.	Some varieties, like MiO Sport, contain added electrolytes and vitamins.
Cost	Minimal, especially with tap water.	Higher. The cost of the concentrate adds up over time.

The Benefits and Drawbacks of Adding MiO to Your Hydration Routine

Using MiO can be a useful strategy for increasing fluid intake, especially for those who dislike the taste of plain water or are trying to reduce consumption of sugary beverages like soda. It provides a sugar-free, low-calorie alternative that can satisfy sweet cravings. The portability of the small squeeze bottles makes it a convenient option for on-the-go hydration. However, there are significant trade-offs to consider. The reliance on artificial ingredients and preservatives means it is not a natural or clean source of hydration. There's also the potential risk of developing a dependency on flavored water, which could make it more difficult to drink plain water in the future.

Natural alternatives to MiO: For a healthier way to add flavor, consider infusing your water with fresh fruits, vegetables, or herbs. Popular combinations include:

Lemon and mint
Cucumber and basil
Strawberries and lime

Making an Informed Hydration Choice

Ultimately, the choice of how to hydrate is a personal one, but it should be an informed decision. For optimal health, the majority of your fluid intake should come from pure, clean water. Using MiO in moderation can be a helpful tool for encouraging hydration when plain water is unappealing. It serves as a far better alternative to high-sugar sodas and juices, which offer significant calories with questionable nutritional value. However, it should not be considered a direct replacement for pure water as the primary source of hydration.

Conclusion

In short, to answer the question, does it still count as water if I put mio in it?—yes, it does. The flavored water still provides the essential hydration your body needs. However, the presence of artificial additives means it is not equivalent to plain water from a nutritional perspective. For the healthiest hydration, plain water is the gold standard. MiO can be a useful stepping stone to help increase overall fluid intake, but should be consumed mindfully and in moderation, rather than replacing pure water entirely. Exploring natural alternatives like fruit and herb infusions offers a way to enjoy flavored water without any artificial ingredients.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, MiO-flavored water hydrates you just as effectively as plain water because its primary component is water. The flavoring does not reduce its hydrating effect.

Excessive, long-term consumption of MiO and its artificial additives might pose risks, such as potential strain on kidneys due to propylene glycol and disruption of the gut microbiome. For most people, moderate consumption is considered safe.

Yes, MiO is a healthier choice than sugary sodas because it contains zero sugar and calories. However, it still contains artificial ingredients, unlike natural water, and is not without potential risks if overconsumed.

MiO is sugar-free and may be an acceptable option for diabetics. It is always best to check the specific ingredients and monitor blood sugar levels, as some individuals may react differently to artificial sweeteners.

You can naturally flavor your water by adding slices of fruits (like lemon or cucumber) or herbs (like mint). Naturally sweetened herbal teas or natural mineral water are other healthy options.

Plain water is the best choice because it is pure and free of any additives, meaning your body doesn't need to process artificial colors, sweeteners, or preservatives. It is the most natural form of hydration.

No, only the MiO Sport variant contains added electrolytes like sodium and potassium. Standard MiO products are primarily for flavor and don't provide significant electrolyte content.