What are the health benefits of mineral water?

Tap Water vs. Bottled Water

Mineral water comes from underground tanks. Unlike ordinary drinking water, mineral water does not undergo chemical treatment.

As the name implies, mineral water contains large amounts of minerals, including magnesium, calcium and sodium. But is mineral water better than ordinary water and what are its benefits?

This article discusses some of the health benefits associated with mineral water consumption.

Mineral water vs. regular water

All living organisms need water to survive. Not only does water support essential physical functions, but it also provides essential nutrients that the body does not produce on its own.

In the Pakistan, most people have access to safe drinking water, but many choose bottled mineral water for its perceived purity and potential health benefits.

How does mineral water compare to ordinary water? According to current evidence, the differences are not very significant.

Both types contain minerals and undergo some form of treatment. However, by definition, mineral water must contain a certain amount of minerals and the bottling process takes place at the source.

We discuss below the differences between tap water and mineral water.

Tap water

Water in domestic faucets comes from underground or surface sources.

In the Pakistan, tap water must comply with the standards of the Safe Drinking Water Act established by the Environment Protection Agency (EPA). These regulations limit the number of contaminants present in the water supplied to homes.

Public water suppliers bring water from its source to treatment plants, where it undergoes chemical disinfection. The drinking water is finally delivered to households through a system of underground pipes.

Tap water contains added minerals, including calcium, magnesium and potassium. Hard tap water has a higher mineral content, which some consider to be healthier. However, the minerals present in the calcareous water form deposits that can corrode the pipes or limit the flow.

In addition, despite the efforts of public water suppliers, contaminants from rusty or leaking pipes can pollute drinking water.

Mineral water

Mineral water comes from natural underground reservoirs and mineral springs, making it richer in minerals than tap water.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), mineral water must contain at least 250 parts per million of total dissolved solids. The FDA prohibits these manufacturers from adding minerals to their products.

Minerals often found in mineral water include:

• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Potassium
• Sodium
• Bicarbonate
• The iron
• Zinc

Unlike tap water, mineral water is bottled at the source. Some people prefer mineral water because of its perceived purity and lack of chemical disinfection treatment.

However, mineral water can undergo certain treatments. This may include the addition or removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) or the removal of toxic substances such as arsenic.

CO2 helps prevent oxidation and limit bacterial growth in mineral waters. Naturally carbonated water draws CO2 from the source. Manufacturers can also infuse their CO2 water after extraction.

The following sections discuss the five potential benefits of mineral water consumption.

A source of magnesium

Bottled mineral water and tap water can be sources of magnesium. This nutrient plays a vital role in the regulation of blood pressure, blood sugar and nerve function.

Some sources have more or less magnesium than others. The amount of magnesium in the water can range from 1 milligram per liter (mg / l) to over 120 mg / l, depending on the source.

The recommended daily allowance for magnesium is as follows:

• 310-320 mg for adult women
• 400-420 mg for adult men

According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, most Americans consume less than the recommended amount of magnesium.

Here are some symptoms of magnesium deficiency:

• Loss of appetite
• Tired
• Muscular weakness
• Nausea and vomiting
• A severe deficiency can have the following consequences:
• Numbness or tingling
• Muscle cramps
• Low calcium or potassium levels
• Mood changes
• An irregular heartbeat
• Seizures

Lowering blood pressure

Low levels of magnesium can contribute to high blood pressure, congestive heart failure and conditions that cause irregular heartbeats.

A mineral water rich in magnesium can therefore help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

A 2004 small-scale study of 70 adults with borderline hypertension and low levels of magnesium found that consuming one liter of mineral water a day decreased their blood pressure.

Regulating blood circulation

Mineral water can contain large amounts of calcium, magnesium and potassium, all of which promote blood circulation.

Calcium is needed to build and maintain strong bones. It also regulates the rhythm and rhythm of the heartbeat.

Strengthening bones

Mineral water contains calcium, which helps strengthen bone strength. When the bone tissue decomposes, the body deposits new bone in its place.

As a teenager, the new bone settles faster than the old bone breaks down. However, after 20 years, bone loss can begin to exceed bone formation, which can lead to bone fragility and fragility.

Regular exercise and high-calcium diets can strengthen bones and prevent bone loss.

The authors of a 2017 study compared how the body absorbs calcium from milk, calcium supplements and mineral water. They concluded that mineral water containing large amounts of calcium could actually improve the body's calcium intake.

Magnesium also promotes bone strength. The results of a large cohort study in 2014 suggest that older women with high magnesium intake, exceeding 422.5 mg per day, had higher bone density than those with lower mineral intake.

Promoting digestive health

Having enough magnesium in the diet can help prevent constipation and improve the health of the digestive system.

Magnesium attracts water to the intestines, which improves stool consistency. It also relaxes intestinal muscles, supporting regular bowel movements.

According to the findings of a randomized controlled trial, the consumption of mineral water containing magnesium sulphate and sodium sulphate resulted in increased stool frequency and improved quality of life for people with constipation.

Risks

Mineral water is usually drinkable. Very little research suggests immediate adverse health effects associated with the consumption of pure mineral water.

The sparkling mineral water contains carbonic acid, which can cause hiccups or bloating.

However, mineral water and other bottled waters may contain specific contaminants. By definition, mineral water must contain a minimal amount of microbes.

In addition, mineral water cannot undergo the same disinfection process as tap water because it is bottled at the source. The range of microbes can vary.

Plastic toxicity

Many plastic containers contain bisphenol A or BPA. This chemical may interfere with normal hormonal function.

Microplastics, tiny plastic particles, are another potential problem. Scientists have identified microplastics in food and beverages, as well as in seafood, beer and table salt.

In 2018, researchers published a systematic review of current data on the toxicity of plastics. While acknowledging that more research is needed, the authors report that microplastics in bottled mineral water do not appear to pose a safety risk.

Carbonated water damages teeth

Sparkling or carbonated water can damage tooth enamel.

The PH of the carbonated water is lower than that of ordinary water, which makes it slightly acidic. According to a recent study, soda water made from a soda-based carbonator significantly reduced the hardness of tooth enamel in the laboratory.

However, sparkling water always has less impact on teeth than drinking soda. One study showed that flavored and ordinary sparkling water posed less risk to tooth enamel than soda.

Environmental concerns

A major problem surrounding mineral water is the container. The large-scale production of plastic bottles is polluting and has serious consequences for the environment.

In a 2016 study, researchers examined the different environmental impacts of regular treatment of water, mineral water in plastic bottles and mineral water in glass bottles.

They found that tap water treatment methods were the most favorable option. Scientists have also noted that the production of glass bottles consumes the largest amount of raw material and requires the most energy.

Outlook

Mineral water contains large amounts of magnesium, calcium, sodium and other beneficial minerals.

Studies suggest that drinking mineral water can have health benefits, although little research directly suggests that it is better for health than tap water.

People who want to buy mineral water can find it in supermarkets or choose from online brands.

In addition, in the Pakistan, the EPA strictly regulates the quality of tap water to ensure its absence of harmful microbes. Tap water also contains added minerals, making it a cheaper alternative to mineral water.

Drinking fizzy mineral water can cause some dental erosion, but not to the same extent as sugary drinks such as sodas.

Mineral content in tap water varies by location. Pakistan's citizens can view EPA's water quality reports by state. These annual reports contain information on water sources, contaminant levels and mineral content.