The popularity of MiO has led many to ask, ‘is MiO bad for you?’ as its contents might hold dangerous substances. One of the easiest ways to flavour water without considering the level of added sugar is using MiO. Even for people who find it difficult to take water regularly, MiO has helped make a drink out of water.
MiO is bad for you, and constant intake of the sweetener will lead to short or long-term effects health-wise. Though the Food and Drug Administration marks the sweeteners in MiO as safe, there are still downsides. It contains many artificial colours and harmful chemicals that are more dangerous than its nutritional value. It’s better to go for natural alternatives.
MiO obviously has several good sides to it as it has helped people take water more. Still, when you ask, ‘is MiO bad for you?’, there’s more you should know about the substance.
What Is MiO?
MiO is a relative newcomer to the beverage business. It’s known as a “liquid water enhancer” because a small amount of it can flavour an entire bottle of water.
The drink comes in a 1.52-ounce plastic jar and has various flavours. The Kraft Foods business remains the owners of this drink.
It offers four product lines: Original, Energy, Fit, and Vitamins. Each line has its personality. The Original is available in various flavours and claims to offer no additional benefits than a superior taste.
MiO Energy gives a caffeine boost to help individuals get up in the morning, with coffee-flavoured options available. The MiO Fit can replace your sports drink because it has additional electrolytes and B vitamins. Lastly, Mio Vitamins supplies customers with three different B vitamins in addition to a nutritious boost (B3, B6, and B12).
What Is MiO Made of?
Three of MiO’s four product lines promise to provide 10% of your daily vitamin B3, B6, and B12 requirements. Each product line is available in several flavours.
Artificial sweeteners, acesulfame potassium (Ace-K), and sucralose are utilized in most flavours. Only two MiO Vitamin varieties claim to be sweetened “naturally” with stevia leaf extract.
MiO Energy is the sole product line that contains caffeine. Each serving contains 60 mg of caffeine and comes in eight flavours, two of which include coffee. The All-Energy flavours also feature taurine, guarana, and ginseng.
Is MiO Bad for You?
There are several reasons why MiO is bad for you. You can easily sum up these reasons into three groups.
The Use of Sucralose
Three artificial sweeteners commonly used in beverage enhancers are highly hazardous. Splenda is MiO’s primary sweetener (Sucralose). Sucralose is made by chlorinating white sugar, although this process contaminates it with heavy metals.
Approximately 98% of it is harmless, whereas the remaining 2% contains all the heavy metals. Sucralose is one of the least caloric sweeteners since the body does not absorb most of them. On the other hand, the small amount that the body absorbs concentrates in the kidneys, liver, and gastrointestinal tract.
Long-term usage of this sweetener may result in immunological problems, congenital disabilities, and cancer. Like many others, scientists have not done in-depth research on the long-term effects of this artificial sweetener.
The Use of Acesulfame Potassium
Ace-K (Acesulfame potassium) has sparked a lot of debate. Human health effects research is inconclusive. It is rarely used alone because of its bitter “chemical-like” flavour.
Hence, those who usually use Ace-K pair it with another sweetener that might have worse effects. According to some inconclusive research, a neurological impairment may be a secondary effect in mice.
The Use of Stevia and Other Artificial Components
Stevia, the third artificial sweetener, is used in products labelled as “naturally sweetened.”
It is a sweet powder derived from plant leaves. Nonetheless, because the sweetener is in the product, it could not be classified as “naturally sweetened.”
Several sugars are made from plants, but they can’t just be thrown into a drink labelled “naturally sweetened.” Stevia has had very little research done on it, and the FDA’s approval raises specific concerns. As a result, the question, “is MiO bad for you” is quite reasonable.
Furthermore, studies show that potassium sorbate reduces human immunity. In addition, multiple test-tube studies have revealed that the chemicals are extremely harmful to human DNA, causing abnormalities in blood cells. Propylene glycol, a mineral oil, may cause moderate sensitivity in eczema sufferers.
What Can You Use Instead of MiO?
Now you’ve seen some of the health implications of using MiO. And you might be wondering what you may try instead. There are several natural ways to flavour water without artificial sweeteners, colours, or preservatives, such as those found in Mio.
You can drink sparkling water or fruit and herb infusions, for example. Allow the ingredients to steep for 4 hours if you’re making fruit infusions.
Here are some ideas for adding taste to your water:
- basil leaves and lime or lemon slices
- Cinnamon sticks and apples
- cucumber, lemongrass, orange slices, and vanilla bean segments (or vanilla essence)
- berries on pineapple
Conclusion
The MiO manufacturer has already misled customers by claiming that its products are naturally sweetened. When, in reality, they actually enhance them with additives. They use three artificial sweeteners and a range of manufactured colours.
Hence, MiO appears to be a product to stay away from. Hopefully, this has answered your question, ‘is MiO bad for you?’ A glass of fresh spring water is preferable, and you just have to add some fruit for extra taste!
