Ingredient List and Nutrition Facts for zero calorie Propel

I like to stay hydrated, but don't drink a lot of water, energy drinks or soda pop. This year I began using Propel, which I cut by half with water, or plain tea or juice. I use "immune support" because the energy drinks have caffeine. 

Information from Foodzilla:  "To give you a better understanding of Propel's composition, here is a typical ingredient list and nutrition facts for a Propel beverage: Ingredient List: 

Water, Citric Acid, Sodium Hexametaphosphate, Natural Flavor, Potassium Sorbate (Preserves Freshness), Potassium Citrate, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Sucralose (derived from sugar same as Splenda, 600x sweeter than sugar), Sodium Citrate, Acesulfame Potassium, synthetic 200x sweeter than sugar) Calcium Disodium EDTA (Preserves Freshness), Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Vitamin E Acetate, Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6).

From advertisement: 

Immune Support: Propel Immune Support helps support a healthy immune system with 100% of the recommended Daily Value of Vitamin C per bottle and an excellent source of Zinc.

Zero Calories and Zero Sugar: Created by the makers of Gatorade, Propel is a zero calorie, zero sugar, fitness water made to replenish and rehydrate active lifestyles.​

Electrolyte Hydration: Made with Gatorade Electrolytes, Propel helps you hydrate and enjoy your best workout with zero sugar.

Vitamin Enhanced Water: Propel is the original zero calorie electrolyte water that offers a variety of flavors and is an excellent source of vitamins B3, B5, B6, Vitamin C and Zinc.

Nutrition Facts (per 1 bottle (591 ml) serving):

Calories: 10
Total Fat: 0g
Sodium: 270mg
Potassium: 70mg
Total Carbohydrates: 0g
Protein: 0g"

So in other words, it's water with a vitamin pill and artificial flavor and artificial sugar.

The "tea" I use isn't really tea, but Celestial Seasonings herbal supplement, Vitamin C Shine, which contains "natural flavors."  What Do Natural Flavors Mean on the Ingredients List?

While studies are mixed, a 2022 study in the Journal of Physical Education, Health and Sport suggests that coconut water rehydrates as well as traditional sports drinks. These study authors also point out that coconut water has antioxidants, which traditional sports drinks typically lack. The antioxidants might be able to help with minimizing stress at the cellular level from intense exercise. (This is an Indonesian journal--not sure of its quality.)

Hydration and the elderly

"The amount of body water decreases by approximately 15% (about 6 L) between the ages of 20 and 80⁵. With this decrease, the body becomes more susceptible to dehydration from the loss of a small amount of body water⁶.

Moreover, the elderly often experience diminished thirst sensation which leads to a reduced fluid consumption⁷ ⁸.

Also as a consequence of aging, the kidneys have a reduced ability to concentrate urine and retain water during water deprivation⁹. In addition, aging kidneys are less able to conserve or excrete sodium¹⁰.

Insufficient fluid intakes can also be the result of limitations such as reduced swallowing capacity, decreased mobility, or comprehension and communication disorders. Disease-related factors, such as incontinence can increase water losses. Dehydration may also be caused by warm temperature, inadequate staffing in institutions, or use of laxatives or diuretics¹.

SOME STRATEGIES FOR ENCOURAGING FLUIDS CONSUMPTION ⁹ ¹¹

• Offer fluids regularly during the day
• Make liquids readily available all day (at bedside or chairside in geriatric institutions) by placing containers such as small bottle of water or sippy cups
• Encourage consumption of fluids with medication
• Provide preferred beverages
• Prescribe and safeguard a minimum intake of 1.5 L in periods of increased risk for dehydration"

I took a hydration test associated with this article and it said I was under hydrated.

Hydration in the elderly - Hydration for Health

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0167494321000431?

Nutrition Strategies Promoting Healthy Aging: From Improvement of Cardiovascular and Brain Health to Prevention of Age-Associated Diseases - PMC (nih.gov)  Section on importance of hydration.

If they don't drink enough water, why is it my fault?

I've been blamed for the 18th c. slave trade, for the KKK, for Jim Crow, for segregated schools, for income gaps, for health outcomes from asbestos in old buildings in the inner cities, and now because blacks and hispanics don't drink enough water, all because my German and Irish ancestors arrived here without a penny to their names before the Revolutionary War.

"Non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanics were 40% more likely to be inadequately hydrated compared with non-Hispanic White adults, the researchers found. People with lower incomes were 20% more likely to be inadequately hydrated compared to those with higher incomes. Tap water intake, which was lower among Blacks, Hispanics, and those with lower incomes, partially explained the racial/ethnic differences in hydration status."

Harvard Public Health Chan Newsletter, July 25 https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/features/significant-racial-ethnic-income-disparities-in-hydration-found-among-u-s-adults/