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What is Mineral Water?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Mineral water is water that has either naturally or artificially added minerals. Many forms are also carbonated, which may also be the result of natural processes, although this is not required. Technically, it is defined by its having over 250 parts per million (ppm) of a mineral substance.

Most water has to be processed to reduce its mineral content, along with unwanted bacteria or chemicals. Mineral water, on the other hand, is usually obtained from a water source rich in some kind of mineral thought to be beneficial to the health. As water sits in contact with minerals, they are slowly dissolved into it.

Sparkling water.
Sparkling water.

To determine whether water can be included in this category, the contents of trace minerals in the evaporation of 0.25 gallons (about 1 liter) of water must be examined. Most mineral water contains more than one trace mineral in greater or lesser values. The various mineral components vary widely, but might include iron, magnesium, calcium, or zinc, a very short list of the various chemical compounds.

The United States is among countries that do not allow companies to promote the drinking of mineral water in terms of health benefits.
The United States is among countries that do not allow companies to promote the drinking of mineral water in terms of health benefits.

Perrier, for example, is a sparkling water that contains calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, sulphate, fluoride and nitrate. These occur in varying amounts with the highest mineral content, aside from bicarbonate, being calcium. In 0.25 gallon (1 liter), there is about 0.1 ounce (2.8 g) of calcium.

Mineral water has often been thought of as healthy to bathe in as well as to drink. Abano Terme near Venice is a naturally occurring hot springs used by the ancient Romans, and still quite popular today. Water in these hot springs includes various sodium compounds. It is doubtful that the Romans actually bathed directly in the springs, which average 188.6°F (87°C).

In certain countries, tap water is high enough in mineral content to be called mineral water.
In certain countries, tap water is high enough in mineral content to be called mineral water.

Abano Terme remains a popular tourist location, with many people bathing in its pools. Italy has many other hot and mineral springs, and it commercially produces the most bottled mineral water brands, an impressive 585. This is over four times as many brands as are produced in the US.

There are naturally occurring areas of mineral water on all the continents, but not all are equally beneficial. Some minerals are not considered healthy, even in trace amounts. The practice of drinking this water for the health still remains hugely popular, although some countries, like the US, don’t allow companies to sell it by promoting the potential health benefits.

Some spas market mineral water for health purposes.
Some spas market mineral water for health purposes.

Some spas market this water for health purposes, either to drink or to bathe in or both. Practices differ depending upon the availability of the source waters and their mineral contents. As well, some tap water in certain countries is high enough in mineral content to be called mineral water. Experts cite Zurich as having some of the best tasting still waters available directly from the tap.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent DelightedCooking contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent DelightedCooking contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon85398

please guide me on how to start a mineral water factory. What is the machinery needed. how much does it cost. What is the requirement of space, costs and required iso/isi?

anon69929

please guide how to start a mineral water factory. What is the machinery needed. how much does it cost.

anon54055

I think flow mineral water is best for health.

I has good taste of water. Totally soft. Really, flow mineral water is good

anon50084

I wopuld like toknow about octi silver mineral water? I don't know if that's the correct spelling or not.

anon43468

what are the benefits and losses of drinking mineral water?

anon43467

Please answer me. what are the pros and cons of drinking mineral water? does it's production create environmental pollution?

anon38291

what are the minerals in mineral water that are bad for us and what do they cause?

anon37365

what should be the PH for mineral water

anon35971

I believe water doesn't carry inorganic substance that one's body cannot consume.The size of the inorganic materials are minute.And if mineral water would cause issues like kidney stones than the water we consume from fruit and vegetables would have major issues as well.The naturally occurring mineral would rather help one's body function well.

anon29614

What is mineral water good for?

anon4488

i heard that one can be diagnosed of kidney stones from drinking too much of mineral water. is it true?

anon1939

Is all carbonated water mineral water? I need to avoid mineral water due to a kidney stone issue and was recently told that all sparkling water, which I drink a lot of, is mineral water.

Are there any brands that are not?

Thanks for any help.

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    • Sparkling water.
      By: Patryk Kosmider
      Sparkling water.
    • The United States is among countries that do not allow companies to promote the drinking of mineral water in terms of health benefits.
      By: ZINQ Stock
      The United States is among countries that do not allow companies to promote the drinking of mineral water in terms of health benefits.
    • In certain countries, tap water is high enough in mineral content to be called mineral water.
      By: moonrise
      In certain countries, tap water is high enough in mineral content to be called mineral water.
    • Some spas market mineral water for health purposes.
      By: Hemeroskopion
      Some spas market mineral water for health purposes.
    • Bottled water may not include fluoride like most tap water in the United States does.
      By: vgstudio
      Bottled water may not include fluoride like most tap water in the United States does.