Metro Detroit father develops diabetic-friendly water

Bloomfield Hills father creates Wow Water which is diabetic-friendly to help his son feel like normal kid

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. – Instead of watching his son have to say no to the fun and sweet drinks his peers enjoyed, a Bloomfield Hills father decided to create one his son could enjoy.

Peter Andoni's son Alex was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when he was 7 years old.  It was a diagnosis that greatly changed the family's lifestyle because Alex had to begin using an insulin pump and needles to tests his blood sugar as many as eight times a day

It also meant Alex had to say no to sugary drinks that so many kids love.

"My son is very athletic. We realized every time he came off the field or off the ice, the moms would be there handing out bug juice, Capri S, Hi C, Hawaiian Punch and every time he would look up asking if it was OK for him to consume these products and every time we had to give him the same answer," said Andoni, founder and CEO of Wow Water and Twisted Water.

Andoni, who owns and operates Shield's Pizza in metro Detroit, was stumped by the fact that he could not find a healthy hydration drink his son Alex could enjoy.   

"Its tough enough being that age, having diabetes or any other issues and not to feel like you're a normal kid," said Andoni.

Andoni decided to create a drink for his son and developed Twisted Water and Wow Water.  The drinks are like Gatorade, taste good and are diabetic-friendly.

"We have vitamins and electrolytes, but what we've really done is taken out the harmful products," said Andoni.

The drinks do not have high fructose corn syrup, no artificial flavors or colors and no caffeine.

He also covered the entire bottle in shrink wrap to protect the contents inside.

"Exposure to UV rays and sunlight can greatly diminish the quality of the vitamins," said Andoni.

Twisted Water and Wow Water are not just for children or diabetics, Andoni said anyone who worries about weight or good health can drink them.

The drinks are sold at several metro Detroit area stores including Hillers Market and Westborn Market.  For a complete list, click here.

The Andoni family is donating a percentage of the profits from the drinks to research to find a cure for diabetes.