The “specialty waters” market has reached unprecedented levels of popularity, with virtually all the leading soft drink companies promoting various flavored mineral waters, sparkling waters, glacier-sourced or filled under a full moon in a bottle decorated with Swarovski crystals. 

Not all commercial waters are worth their exceedingly decorative packaging, however. While it may be a fascinating, indulgent novelty to buy an extremely expensive bottle of water, health-conscious water drinkers should be more concerned with the mineral content of their beverage, as well as possible contaminants – and how they can be removed.

Mineral? Sparkling? Club? Which is which?

The public often confuses mineral water with carbonated water, a different class of water altogether. Carbonated water has been infused with carbon dioxide gas under pressure, producing a bubbly beverage that’s also commonly referred to as sparkling water, club soda, soda water or seltzer water.

Mineral water is bottled at the source from natural reservoirs or mineral springs, which are places where flowing water underground emerges – or “springs” – from the Earth’s surface. Hence the term “spring water”. This naturally gives it a higher mineral content than tap water. 

Of the Earth

Natural mineral waters sold commercially are regulated closely by the FDA, which requires a minimum of at least 250 parts per million (ppm) “total dissolved solids,” originating from “a geologically and physically protected underground water source.” 

This means water with artificially-added minerals will not be considered for approval – the water must contain these elements when it comes out of the ground. 

Ok, but how is mineral water good for you?

Drinking mineral water has a number of health benefits. It’s a great way to boost your ionic mineral intake, as it commonly contains minerals the human body can’t create on its own, like magnesium, calcium and zinc. These aid in various biological functions, keeping us healthy and active as we age. 

Calcium is essential for bone health and overall muscle function. Magnesium helps your body regulate blood sugar and blood pressure. Zinc aids in immune function and metabolism.

Bad minerals, on the other hand, can be catastrophic to a person’s health. For instance, arsenic, aluminum and lead can often get into drinking water due to pollution, natural disasters or undesired runoff.

Digestive assistance

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.

Great for weight loss

Mineral water has also been found to extend feelings of fullness after meals, more so than plain water. This happens due to the fact that the carbonated liquid slows down the early digestion process, allowing food to remain in the stomach longer. Hence, a sense of being full.  

Heart helper

Magnesium deficiencies have been known to contribute to high blood pressure, as well as more severe health issues such as congestive heart failure. You can lower your risk of cardiovascular disease and contribute to your heart health with regular consumption of mineral water.

Do water filters remove minerals?

It’s important to remove any chance of dangerous minerals getting into your drinking water, as well as any other contaminants which could adversely affect the health of you and your loved ones. You can do this with a home water filtration system, even something as hassle-free and easy to use as a ProOne Water Filter Pitcher.

Independently lab tested and proven to reduce/remove 200+ contaminants (including fluoride, chlorine, chloramines, VOCs, bacteria, pharmaceuticals, lead and heavy metals) the Water Pitcher leaves in the beneficial minerals your tap water contains.