Is Proud Source Vegan? A Food Scientist's Deep Dive

The Ingredient Breakdown

When determining if a product like Proud Source is vegan, we look beyond the marketing and straight at the chemistry. The ingredients listed for Proud Source are primarily minerals: calcium, magnesium, potassium, silica, bicarbonates, and chlorides. In the context of mineral waters and electrolyte drinks, these are almost always sourced from inorganic mineral deposits or sea salts, not animal products.

The most common non-vegan flag in beverages is coloring (like carmine) or vitamin D3 (often derived from lanolin). Proud Source contains neither. The 'bicarbonates' and 'chlorides' listed are simply electrolytes—salts that dissociate in water. They are chemically identical regardless of source and are inherently vegan. There are no hidden sweeteners, dairy derivatives, or gelatin capsules involved in the production of this water.

Nutritional Value

As a food scientist, I look at the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) mentioned in the input data. TDS indicates the mineral concentration. Proud Source is marketed as an alkaline water, which means it has a higher pH due to the presence of bicarbonates. From a dietary standpoint, this fits perfectly into a vegan or health-conscious lifestyle because it provides essential electrolytes like calcium and magnesium without adding sugars, fats, or calories. It is essentially a zero-calorie hydration source that supports bone health and muscle function through its mineral content.