Vitamins

Vitamins are of two types: fat-soluble – A, D, E, K; and water-soluble – B and C. Fortified water/drink contains mainly water-soluble vitamins.

1) Vitamin B3 (Niacin): The health benefits of vitamin B3 are as follows:

i) It helps bring about a significant decrease in heart disease.

ii) It helps lower the level of bad (LDL) cholesterol.

iii) It assists in the energy production of cells. It is beneficial for a healthy nervous system and a wellfunctioning digestive system.

iv) It is associated with a reduction in the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, cataracts, osteoarthritis, and Type 1 diabetes.

As per Dietary Guidelines for Indians, 2011, by National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, the daily requirement of vitamin B3 is 18 mg for a man (moderate work) and 14 mg for a woman (moderate Vitamin B3 content in three brands – O’cean Fruit Water, Wild Vitamin Drink and Coffee Day VitaminEnriched Water – was found far less than their label claims. In 7up, vitamin B3 could not be detected though it

claimed 1.20 mg in the label. Highest amount of vitamin B3 was found in O’cean

Fruit Water (0.590 mg/100 ml). Brand O’cean Fruit Water Wild Vitamin Drink Coffee Day VitaminEnriched Water 7up Revive Hydrotonic Drink Lab Results (mg/100 ml) 0.590 0.191 0.116 Not detected Label Claim (mg/100 ml) 1.8 0.8 2.4 1.2