Holistic Health
How much healthier is mineral water ?
Bottled waters come with a long list of nutrients , but what more do they offer over tap water ?
little more than a generation ago , when mineral
A water first appeared on the scene , it was a tough sell persuading people to pay for something they could get for free by just turning on the tap .
Today , it ’ s big business . According to one estimate , the global bottled water market will reach over US $ 400 billion by 2026 and is growing at an average annual rate of 14 percent .
Whereas tap water , in countries where it is safe to drink , should be perfectly suitable for hydration and may even contain added chemicals like fluoride for stronger teeth , many mineral waters come with promises of health benefits .
Mineral water can be taken from a spring , for instance , that is full of sulphur , magnesium , and calcium . In theory , it should be relatively clean and free of toxins .
“ These waters generally have to go through a regulatory body for testing . To be labelled mineral water , they need to show that they include a presence and concentration of minerals in their product ,” Dr Sarva Mangala Praveena , a researcher in the department of environmental and occupational health at Universiti Putra Malaysia , told Global Health Asia- Pacific .
“ In terms of the minerals present and their benefits to health , we know that chemicals like magnesium and potassium are important for promoting blood
circulation . Calcium is good for bones ,” she said .
The so-called ionic form that minerals take in water allows them to be absorbed easily in the gastrointestinal tract . Some research shows that people who are regularly seen with bottles of Evian or Volvic are also more likely to be healthier eaters , and they are certainly better hydrated than the normal population . Despite potential health benefits , the types and amounts of minerals contained in a brand of mineral water will vary based on where it comes from . But while a mineral-rich source will increase the benefits on offer , it will also have an effect on the water ’ s taste . Particularly hard water , for instance , may have more nutrients but can have a sour , drying effect on the tongue .
Waters with high calcium content offer benefits to nerve and muscle function , but the mineral can also elevate one ’ s heart rate and is known to be a cause of high blood pressure .
Another caveat is that many of the minerals in expensive waters can be acquired just as easily through a good , balanced diet .
“ These are naturally occurring minerals , so they ’ re good for the health , but they aren ’ t sufficient alone to give you all the minerals your body needs . You could consider mineral water as part of your dietary intake , but these things can certainly be taken in from food ,” said Dr Praveena .
16 JUNE 2021 GlobalHealthAsiaPacific . com