What is unhealthy in MiO and its ingredients?

December 3, 2025 •

3 min read

While marketed as a zero-calorie and sugar-free water enhancer, some ingredients in MiO have raised health concerns among consumers and researchers. Concerns revolve around artificial sweeteners, synthetic dyes, and preservatives, which may have potential negative effects on overall health.

Quick Summary

An examination of MiO's ingredients, including artificial sweeteners sucralose and acesulfame potassium, artificial dyes, and preservatives. It explores potential health risks associated with excessive consumption, such as impacts on gut health, metabolism, and kidneys, while also comparing it to sugary drinks.

Key Points

Artificial Sweeteners: MiO contains sucralose and acesulfame potassium, which are debated for their potential impact on insulin, metabolism, and gut microbiome, especially with regular use.
Synthetic Dyes: Ingredients like Yellow 5 and Red 40, used for color, have been linked to hyperactivity in children and can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Preservatives: Additives like propylene glycol and potassium sorbate, used for shelf life, may stress the kidneys or have cytotoxic effects in excessive amounts.
Gut Health: Some studies suggest that artificial sweeteners like sucralose can alter the balance of bacteria in the gut, potentially contributing to metabolic issues.
Dental Erosion: MiO contains citric acid, which can erode tooth enamel over time with frequent consumption, similar to diet sodas.
Weight Management Concerns: Artificial sweeteners can potentially increase sugar cravings, which may hinder weight loss goals despite MiO being zero-calorie.
Kidney Stress: High and repeated intake of propylene glycol has been associated with potential kidney damage and other health issues at high levels.

Unpacking the ingredients of MiO

MiO liquid water enhancers are popular for providing a flavorful, zero-calorie, and sugar-free alternative to plain water and high-sugar drinks like soda. However, the healthfulness of MiO is debated due to its ingredients, which include artificial sweeteners, synthetic dyes, and preservatives.

The controversy around artificial sweeteners

The most debated ingredients in MiO are its artificial sweeteners: sucralose (Splenda) and acesulfame potassium (Ace-K). These are non-nutritive sweeteners that are hundreds of times sweeter than sugar. While the FDA classifies them as generally recognized as safe (GRAS), scientific debate continues over their long-term health effects.

Sucralose: Research shows conflicting results on sucralose. Some studies suggest it might affect insulin sensitivity and blood sugar levels, though others find no significant impact. Animal studies indicate it may negatively affect the gut microbiome, but more human research is needed.
Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K): Some organizations recommend caution with Ace-K, pointing to flawed initial safety testing. Animal studies suggest it could impact the gut microbiome and lead to metabolic disruptions, but human studies are not conclusive.

Potential issues with synthetic food dyes

MiO uses several artificial color additives, including Yellow 5, Red 40, and Blue 1, to create its vibrant appearance. These have been linked to potential health issues, particularly in children.

Studies have suggested a link between certain artificial dyes, specifically Yellow 5 and Red 40, and hyperactivity in children.
For some individuals, these dyes can trigger allergic reactions or hypersensitivity.

The role of preservatives

To ensure a long shelf life, MiO contains preservatives like propylene glycol and potassium sorbate.

Propylene Glycol: Used as a solvent and moisture-retaining agent, excessive intake of propylene glycol, a preservative also used in some antifreeze, has been associated with potential kidney stress and other negative effects.
Potassium Sorbate: This preservative, synthetically produced from sorbic acid, may have cytotoxic (toxic to cells) and genotoxic (damaging to genetic material) effects, especially with high or chronic exposure, though it is FDA-approved.

A comparative look: MiO vs. sugary drinks

Comparing MiO with sugary beverages like soda requires an understanding of their different health trade-offs. While soda poses immediate risks from high sugar intake, MiO introduces its own set of concerns, especially with overuse.


Feature	MiO (Artificial Water Enhancer)	Soda (Sugary Carbonated Drink)
Sugar & Calories	Zero sugar, zero calories	High sugar content, high calories
Sweeteners	Artificial (Sucralose, Ace-K) or natural (Stevia)	High fructose corn syrup or sugar
Gut Health	Potential disruption of gut microbiome	Generally not a primary gut disruptor in this way, but high sugar affects gut health
Dental Health	Citric acid can cause dental erosion	High sugar and acids cause significant tooth decay and erosion
Kidney Health	Excessive propylene glycol can stress kidneys	High sugar and phosphoric acid may stress kidneys over time
Weight Impact	May promote sugar cravings and potential weight gain	Direct link to weight gain and obesity due to high calorie and sugar content

Conclusion

While MiO offers a compelling sugar-free, low-calorie alternative to help increase water intake, its healthfulness is not without controversy. The potential negative effects of its ingredients, particularly the artificial sweeteners, dyes, and preservatives, must be considered alongside its benefits. For most people, moderate and occasional use is unlikely to pose significant risks, but frequent or heavy consumption may lead to adverse effects on gut health, metabolism, and kidney function. Individuals with sensitivities, certain health conditions like kidney issues, or those seeking a cleaner diet should use caution and consider healthier alternatives, such as naturally flavored water using fruits or herbs. Ultimately, plain, pure water remains the best hydration choice, but for those seeking a flavor boost, weighing the trade-offs of MiO is crucial.

What are some natural alternatives to MiO?

Fruit-infused water: Add fresh fruits like lemon, berries, cucumber, or mint to your water.
Herbal teas: Brew herbal tea and chill it for a flavorful, unsweetened drink.
Coconut water: A natural source of electrolytes with a subtle sweetness.
Flavored sparkling water: Choose varieties naturally flavored with fruit essences instead of artificial additives.

For those looking for more detailed information on specific additives, the Propylene Glycol Information Page offers insights on its safety and use. Propylene Glycol Information Page

Frequently Asked Questions

While FDA-approved, sucralose remains controversial. Some studies suggest it might affect insulin response and gut health, while others find no adverse effects. Potential risks are primarily linked to regular, long-term consumption.

The artificial dyes in MiO, like Yellow 5 and Red 40, are FDA-approved but have been linked to hyperactivity in some children and can cause allergic reactions in sensitive people.

Research, primarily in animals, suggests that artificial sweeteners like sucralose and acesulfame potassium may disrupt the balance of healthy bacteria in the gut microbiome. More human studies are needed, but this is a potential concern with frequent consumption.

Excessive and long-term consumption of MiO has been linked to potential kidney stress, primarily due to the ingredient propylene glycol. While moderate use is considered safe, moderation is key to protecting kidney health.

MiO lacks the high sugar and calories of soda, making it a better option for avoiding sugar overload. However, it contains other chemicals like artificial sweeteners, dyes, and preservatives that carry their own health risks, especially if overused.

The citric acid in MiO and many other flavored products can cause dental erosion, which is the wearing away of tooth enamel. Sipping acidic beverages throughout the day increases the risk of this damage.

There is no conclusive evidence from human studies to suggest that MiO's ingredients, like sucralose or Ace-K, directly cause cancer. Some animal studies have raised questions, but FDA regulations classify the ingredients as safe within specified limits.