All living organisms need water to stay alive, and one of the main ways we get water into our bodies is by drinking it.Â
Although you may not be able to tell them apart by taste, there are multiple types of drinking water. They include:
Mineral water is also known as spring water because it comes from natural springs, which are places where moving underground water comes out of an opening in the lands surface.Â
Mineral water can also be made artificially by adding salts to distilled water or aerating it with carbon dioxide to create more carbonation. However, mineral water is naturally carbonated to varying degrees.Â
The nutritional content of both natural and artificial mineral water varies greatly, but it typically has a high content of minerals like:
Due to its carbonation and mineral content, mineral water is known to provide multiple health benefits, including:Â
In one study, post-menopausal women drank 1 liter of mineral water per day for two periods of two months each. The results showed that mineral water intake lowered the levels of bad (LDL) cholesterol and raised the levels of good (HDL) cholesterol.Â
Because high cholesterol increases your risk of heart disease and other conditions, mineral water helps keep your heart healthy and working properly.Â
In one 2004 study, researchers evaluated the effects of mineral water on subjects who all had borderline hypertension (high blood pressure) as well as low levels of calcium and magnesium. After four weeks of drinking mineral water, they noted a significant decrease in these peopleâs blood pressure.
For people with dyspepsia (indigestion) and constipation, carbonated mineral water can decrease constipation as well as significantly improve its symptoms. As an added benefit, it can also improve gallbladder function.
Although there arent any health risks involved in drinking mineral water itself, drinking it out of a plastic bottle may pose certain risks.Â
The majority of bottled water comes in bottles made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), otherwise known as plastic #1. Research shows that PET can act as an endocrine disruptor, which changes your hormonal systems.Â
The other kind of plastic often used for bottling water is plastic #7, which contains bisphenol A, commonly known as BPA. Many countries have banned this substance due to its toxicity. Exposure to BPA is linked to:
BPA can be released in other plastic as well, especially in high temperatures or if the bottle is stored for an extended period of time.
If the mineral water you choose is highly carbonated, the bubbles in the carbonation can lead to stomach upset, including bloating. People who have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), should consider avoiding carbonated beverages as a lifestyle modification to avoid making their symptoms worse.
Although drinking water is encouraged as a healthy lifestyle choice, it is possible â though unlikely â for you to drink too much. Drinking a lot of water quickly can dilute the amount of sodium in your body. Sodium is an electrolyte that helps regulate the water in your cells, and too much water can lead to an imbalance, creating a condition called hyponatremia. Itâs rare, but water intoxication can lead to comas and seizures and can prove fatal.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, for water to be labeled as mineral water, it must contain between 1,500 milligrams per liter of total dissolved minerals. However, in Europe, any water that has mineralization is considered mineral water.Â
Because the mineral content varies so widely between different kinds of mineral water, there isnt a recommended daily amount.Â
There are, however, guidelines for how much calcium and magnesium you should get, which are the two most prevalent nutrients in mineral water. Although it varies by age, gender, and condition, adults typically require 1,000 milligrams of calcium. Men and women between the ages and 19 and 30 require 400 and 310 milligrams of magnesium, respectively. Â
Mineral water is similar to regular water and contains no calories. The amount of minerals in mineral water varies between different brands. Mineral water labeled “low” or “high” mineral content will also give you lower or higher amounts of minerals. Some mineral waters are also low in sodium.
Mineral water is collected from mineral springs and, as the nutrition facts show, it contains a variety of minerals including calcium, sodium, and various other compounds. The calorie chart below indicates that mineral water contains zero calories but it can still offer some nutritional value. Mineral water comes in both flat and sparkling varieties – the nutrition label for sparkling varieties will indicate a higher concentration of mineral gasses. When evaluating the nutrition facts and nutritional information for mineral water, keep in mind that mineral water is not designed to be a source of balanced nutrition – it is designed for hydration.
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FAQ
Is mineral water good for your diet?
Does water with minerals have calories?
What are two drawbacks of drinking mineral water?
Is mineral water full of sugar?
Does mineral water have calories?
Mineral water is similar to regular water and contains no calories. The amount of minerals in mineral water varies between different brands. Mineral water labeled “low” or “high” mineral content will also give you lower or higher amounts of minerals. Some mineral waters are also low in sodium.
What are the benefits of drinking mineral water?
There are a number of benefits associated with just the mineral water hydration factor. Preventing dry mouth, refreshing the body, improving sleep quality and mood, and even helping to control weight are on the list of hydration benefits. Furthermore, mineral water is less likely to be contaminated than tap water.
What is mineral water?
Mineral water refers to bottled spring water. It naturally contains a range of minerals, including magnesium and calcium. In this article, we look at the health benefits of mineral water, any risks, and how it compares with regular tap water.
What minerals are in mineral water?
As its name suggests, mineral water can contain high amounts of minerals and other naturally occurring compounds, including magnesium, calcium, bicarbonate, sodium, sulfate, chloride, and fluoride ( 1 ). The types and amounts of minerals depend on where the water comes from.