From rainbow-hued cups to giant reusable bottles, Gen Z are turning hydration into something of a lifestyle statement. And the latest drink of choice flooding TikTok feeds is something called 'loaded water'.
Clips show creators mixing up super-sized drinks with all sorts of colourful extras. There are powders in flavours like cotton candy, sour blueberry and orange melon, probiotic sodas that promise gut health, coconut water for electrolytes and even slices of fresh fruit for a refreshing finish.
One viral creator, Dawn, has built an audience by sharing her daily experiments, calling the sugar-free, caffeine-packed blends her 'healthy way' of getting an energy boost. Another TikTok user, Cara, put her own spin on it by combining lemon and strawberry slices with coconut water, strawberry lemon Poppi, and a scoop of electrolyte powder.
But this new craze isn’t just about aesthetics. The main reason that Gen Z is big on loaded water is that the trend taps into something that young people have been struggling with: actually drinking enough water. Many admit they’re hooked on fizzy drinks or find plain water boring, and these flavour-boosted mixes are helping them hit hydration goals without feeling like a chore.
As Dawn explained in one of her videos: “It helps me consume a lot more water than I would normally consume in a day. I’m addicted to Alanis and soda, and it’s just so bad. So if I can get get 40 ounces of water in this way, I’m gonna do it.”
It’s only after scrolling through countless recipes that the health angle becomes clear. According to the recommendations by Mayo Clinic, men should aim for around 15.5 cups of fluids a day, while women should target 11.5 cups, as every cell and organ depends on water to function.
The Cleveland Clinic also points out that sugar cravings can sometimes be a sign of dehydration, meaning a habit like loaded water could be doing more than just quenching thirst.
Experts say there may be benefits if it encourages people to replace high-calorie snacks and fizzy drinks with something lighter. Registered dietitian Fiorella DiCarlo told The New York Post: “Most people are dehydrated without even realising it.
“Dehydration can cause fatigue, slow metabolism, and increased sugar cravings, which can lead to weight gain. If loaded water adds incentive or flavour that encourages more water intake, I’m for it.”
That said, DiCarlo also warned that not all versions of the drink are equal. Adding juices and fizzy drinks can pile on unnecessary sugar and calories, which risks cancelling out the good intentions behind the trend. After all, as Dicarlo laid out, ‘loaded water offers flavour with fewer calories, less sugar, and no artificial additives, if made thoughtfully’.
Whilst the concoctions might look like just another TikTok craze, it seems this is one internet trend that could genuinely help people sip their way towards healthier habits, provided they keep an eye on what’s going on in the glass — so you’re not just making ‘basically a mocktail’, as Cara put it as the start of her video.
Featured Image Credit: RealPeopleGroup/Getty Images
Ben Williams