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Mineral Water Chemical Characteristics

According to the International Bottled Water Association's 2009 report, bottled water consumption increased dramatically from 1997 to 2008, with many believing it's a more healthful alternative to tap or other packaged beverages. The mineral content of commercially available bottled water varies considerably, and examining the benefits or potential dangers of these minerals provides valuable information on which bottled water to choose.

  1. Mineral Content

    • "Mineral water", according to the U.S. FDA, contains between 500 and 1,500 mg/L of total combined and dissolved minerals. In Europe, water with any level of mineralization is considered "mineral water". Minerals found in bottled water include chromium, which helps diabetics control blood sugar; copper, which plays a role in hemoglobin formation; and zinc, which helps the immune system function properly. However, content of these and other trace minerals in most bottled waters is low and their daily requirements are usually met with a normal diet. According to Philippe Garzon and Mark Eisenberg, in papers published in 1998 and 2001, the three most abundant, clinically important minerals in drinking water are calcium, magnesium, and sodium.

    Calcium

    • After age 35, bone is broken down faster than it is rebuilt. Some bone loss is a normal part of aging, but if calcium is deficient, this process may happen too fast. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, the majority of Americans don't consume adequate amounts of calcium, and calcium needs to dissolve in order to be absorbed. Selecting calcium-enriched water can help achieve daily requirements. On the other hand, people with a history of kidney stones should avoid calcium in their mineral water, as this could lead to the formation of more stones.

    Magnesium

    • In 2003 the Honolulu Heart Program showed that heart disease was significantly lower in those with high magnesium intake (> 340 mg) compared to those with low intake (< 186 mg). Still, magnesium in the average American diet often doesn't meet daily requirements. Because absorption of magnesium may be greater from water than food, supplementation may best be achieved with magnesium-rich drinking water. Also, magnesium seems to keep calcium kidney stones from reforming.

    SODIUM

    • Sodium plays an important role in regulating blood pressure. But unlike calcium and magnesium, sodium in the North American diet surpasses recommended limits and is estimated between 4,000 to 6,000 mg/day. High sodium intake is associated with hypertension, so drinking sodium-rich mineral water is potentially harmful for those on sodium restricted diets.

    Making Choices

    • Based on their research, Garzon and Eisenberg suggest mineral waters high in calcium and magnesium, but low in sodium such as Aproz from Switzerland (454 mg Ca, 67 mg Mg, 8 mg Na) or Contrex from France (467 mg Ca, 84 mg Mg, 7 mg Na). The American Heart Association recommends that water contain a maximum of 20 mg/L for those on a sodium restricted diet. Some of the North American bottled waters high in sodium include Vichy Springs (1098 mg/L) and Lithia Springs (680 mg/L).

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