They’re all over TikTok, usually found under the #watertok hashtag: creators and influencers who mix and guzzle water from flowerpot-sized cups for their followers.

Not plain water, mind you, but water "recipes" that may include:

• Electrolytes from powder packets
• Teas with added flavorings
• Coconut water
• Probiotic soda
• Fruits and extracts and antioxidants and supplements that supposedly boost your health and encourage you to do what doctors everywhere advise: Drink more water.

These flavored waters are generally known as “loaded" or "stacked" drinks, and they’ve become a huge trend in the past few years, especially among young adults. The fad's even been blamed for Stanley cups' popularity explosion. But loaded water's appeal raises an important question, said Novant Health family physician Dr. Vaishnavi Gadicharla.

“How much is it really improving your health?” Gadicharla said. “Probably not much.” And, there is cost to consider. Water is more or less free. A box of flavored electrolyte packets can run $20 and bottled products cost far more over time.

Here, she answers common questions about loaded drinks and explains why you might want to save your money.

Can flavored or loaded waters improve your health by encouraging you to drink more water?

I always want my patients to drink more water. That’s the bottom line. That is our goal. However, I do say that if it’s not something like a slice of lemon or orange, additives can bring unnecessary ingredients into drinks.

For example, for most people, if you eat a relatively well-balanced diet, you’re able to have all the electrolytes you need. Unless you’re an extreme athlete, like an ultramarathon runner, you really don’t need to replenish electrolytes as much as you think.

And a lot of these other loaded additives, like juice, will come with a lot of sugar. So especially with patients who are looking to watch their sugar — whether they’re pre-diabetic, diabetic, or just watching their weight — they can lead to a lot of unnecessary health risks.

What are some of the risks of drinking loaded waters?

You can get hypernatremia, which is when you have too much sodium in your body. That can potentially lead to pretty devastating brain swelling. You would have to drink a tremendous amount of these loaded waters, so it’s more of a hypothetical risk for most people. But if you’re chugging an enormous amount of sodium that your body just can’t keep up with, you’re dealing with pretty severe potential complications.

Also, you’re getting your palate used to drinking extremely sweet things, which can lead to you requiring that level of sweetness in other things you drink. You might crave more sugary drinks, more sugary coffees.

It takes time for your palate to get used to things that feel very “normal,” like water. But I think both behaviorally and from a health perspective, it can be really helpful to limit the amount of flavorings that you add to water.

Has the loaded drinks trend changed how you interact with patients?

I always make it a point during my well visits to just ask people how they get their hydration. Is it a lot of sodas? Teas? Coffee, energy drinks? I’ve made it a point over the years to always ask, “How much of your calories are coming in the form of your daily drinks?”

In the last year or so, if they say, “All I drink is water,” because of all the things I’m seeing, I’ve started asking specifically: “OK, are you drinking plain water, or are you adding anything to it?”

Do you add anything to your water?

I generally just have a liter water bottle, and I fill it at least two to three times a day. I have one cup of coffee in the morning, sometimes two in the afternoon to pick me up, but that’s about it. I’m pretty particular about trying not to add too many unnecessary added sugars, especially in drinks.

What warnings do you give patients about flavored water?

That none of these drinks are very strongly researched. There are no strong, peer-reviewed, evidence-based recommendations on what electrolyte drink is better than another. When you look at the nutrition label, you should really look at the ingredients on there and see how much sugar and sodium are in there. What percentage of your daily intake is it?

What about buying water additive mixes or blends from online vendors?

Generally, with any homemade blends, you have no control over what the actual ingredients are, what the hygiene precautions are, or what amounts of electrolytes are present in the products. So I would really, really advise against using anything homemade.

If your patients find plain water just too boring, what do you suggest to them?

If you add anything to water, maybe add lemon, some orange, cucumber, mint — that’d be great. Anything where it’s just a slice to get some flavor, without any concentrated juices or electrolytes.

Bottom line on flavored waters

Especially with the advent of social media, everybody’s looking for that quick fix: “Take the supplement, and you’re going to feel a lot better.” But nothing will replace exercise, eating whole foods and drinking plenty of water. These are the foundations of maintaining good health. Anybody who’s selling you a quick, easy fix is usually just in it for themselves.