Health: Maple Water

By Stephanie Stahl

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Move over coconut water, maple water is the newest healthy H-2-O on the market boasting all sort of benefits.   The latest healthy water to hit store shelves comes right out of a maple tree.

Maple sap is actually a clear watery liquid.  It can be boiled down to make a sticky syrup, but a handful of companies are trying to tap into a new market and sell it as healthy water.

"We bottle that sap as it comes out of the tree, " says CEO Valentina Cugnasca who launched Vertical Water last year. It's now in 3,000 stores.  "Consumers are looking for natural real simple foods and beverages and maple water is a single ingredient beverage with nothing added or taken away," Cugnasca says.

A bottle costs almost three dollars.  The makers say it's full of nutrients like iron and magnesium.  But there's no scientific evidence it's any better for you than plain water.

Dietician Lisa Cimperman says, "You know if you want to try maple water, see how it tastes that's fine. But if you're using this as your main source of hydration you're likely wasting your money."

The maple tree gives the water a slight sweetness and 15 calories a serving.

There's also the sugar factor. One serving of maple water contains three to four grams of sugar. And in terms of maple trees, makers say tapping for the sap doesn't hurt the trees. It's the same process used to make maple syrup.