Do Umich students really think Smart Water makes you smarter?

We asked Umich students what they think of this fancy H20

Looking around the room in my 300+ student Comm lecture, I see a lot of things. I see students taking notes, chewing gum, struggling to cross their legs in the tiny amount of space that a lecture hall provides, texting, talking, and looking up questionable things on the Internet. But above all of these notable classroom-happenings, I see students drinking water — Smart Water, to be specific.

Glaceau’s Smart Water, packaged in 33.8-ounce bottles that exude prestige and top-notch quality, is a phenomenon that has rapidly captured the interest of water-drinkers everywhere, especially at the University of Michigan. For me, being a reusable-bottle loyalist, this craze is both confusing and intriguing. Why spend two whole dollars per bottle on a luxury you can get for free almost anywhere on campus at any given moment? Is it a status thing — where students feel more elite when in possession of the expensive bottles? Or is it true, does Smart Water really make people smarter? Or is it none of the above? I got curious, so I started asking people around campus about their hydration habits.

Kate Roush, Freshman, Communications

“It isn’t about the actual water for me. The size of the bottle is way more convenient to have throughout the day, and I usually end up filling it with water fountain water a few times in between classes. I guess that kinda defeats the purpose…”

Becca Polinsky, Freshman, Undecided

“If I’m choosing a bottle that I’m going to use for the rest of the day, I’ll get a Smart Water bottle and end up refilling it when I’m done. I like the shape of the bottle better than some of the smaller, less expensive ones.”

Ben Metzger, Freshman, Undecided

“Smart Water tastes better. That’s all there is to it.”

Isabel Rodgers, Freshman, Undecided

“I always drink Smart Water. Wait, isn’t it better for you?”

Blair Gould, Freshman, Undecided

“The mouth piece on the Smart Water bottles is also more appealing than other bottles. It feels cleaner, and the ‘smart packaging’ that Glaceau advertises makes the bottle as a whole feel cleaner.”

Nolan Rynecki, Freshman, Business

“No, Smart Water is not for me. The price is too high for the same taste that I can get from cheaper brands or a water fountain on campus. Should I just say that I do drink it though?”

Sam Rosenblum, Freshman, Business

“Smart Water has electrolytes in it and is fluoride free, so the greater cost over a water like Dasani is worth it for the health benefits. Good hangover helper too.”

Emily Olin, Freshman, Undecided

“I don’t drink Smart Water. My family at home always bought Poland Spring, so that was what was available at my house and what I got used to. And now in school I either buy whatever comes in a large pack, which usually isn’t Smart Water, or whatever bottle is the biggest, which also usually isn’t Smart Water.”

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