Everyone knows that drinking eight glasses of water a day has health benefits. Most people are also aware that bottled water is often
better than tap water because of added mineral and vitamin nutrients. Recent attention to the negative effects of a plastic called BPA used in
water bottles has also produced safer, more eco-friendly packaging. However, bottled water remains controversial because these specialized
water products can be expensive. Yet, with all this health-risk awareness, are all brands of bottled water created equal?
Research into the nutritional content of popular oxygen-enhanced and nutrient-enhanced water products produced startling results. In
addition to the high sugar content found in many of these "enhanced" waters, many of these water products failed simple taste tests. People who
tried HealthCoWater, for instance, found that it had a bitter, unappealing taste. Like other HealthCo products, HealthCoWater is a reduced-calorie
product made from artificial sweeteners. It does not have the same refreshing taste as other water products that use natural sugars.
Which statement best describes the effect the author's bias in the passage has on the reader?
1. It persuades the reader to consume tap water instead of enhanced water products.
2. It emphasizes for the reader that specialized water products can be worth the additional cost.
3. It demonstrates to the reader that different types of water have distinctive benefits for the body.
4. It encourages the reader to think negatively about water products not made from natural sugars.