We may have seen advertisements about drinking natural mineral water through the media, more or less. These mineral waters are often advertised as being beneficial to the body and being a better choice than drinking plain water. But in reality, is drinking mineral water really as good for health as they say? Is mineral water really more beneficial than plain water? Find the answer in this article from Hello Khunmor.
What is mineral water?
Mineral water refers to water obtained from natural springs. This water is water that accumulates underground and bubbles up in the spring area, which then becomes a natural water source such as a river, canal, pond or lake, depending on the amount of water and the surrounding geography.
Just like the name suggests, mineral water is water that contains minerals. The ยูฟ่าเบท types and amounts of minerals in mineral water can vary depending on where it comes from. However, minerals that are commonly found in mineral water are usually the following:
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Bicarbonate
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Chloride
- Fluoride
In addition, mineral water may also contain naturally occurring carbon dioxide, which gives it a fizzy, carbonated consistency similar to soda. However, this carbon dioxide is often removed during the bottling process, resulting in a mineral water that is not fizzy and has the same taste as regular water.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set a standard for mineral water that states that it must contain at least 250 parts per million of minerals and that no additional minerals are added during bottling.
Benefits of drinking mineral water
- Good for bone and tooth health
Mineral water usually contains a fairly high amount of calcium, which is an important component in maintaining strong bones and teeth. Drinking mineral water allows our bodies to receive more calcium, which is different from drinking plain water that does not contain calcium. Fluoride found in mineral water can also help protect teeth.
- Good for heart health
There is research that has found that drinking mineral water may help reduce cholesterol levels in the blood and increase the amount of good fat (HDL). In addition, potassium found in mineral water may also help reduce blood pressure, which is all good for heart health.
- Helps relieve constipation
Mineral water high in magnesium may help prevent and treat constipation by helping to absorb water into the intestines and relaxing the intestinal muscles, making stool softer and easier to pass.
Disadvantages of drinking mineral water
- May experience stomach upset
Some people who drink mineral water may experience stomach upset, stomachache, bloating, and flatulence because mineral water usually contains carbon dioxide naturally. In particular, those who suffer from acid reflux should avoid drinking water containing carbon dioxide.
- May be contaminated with microplastics
Most natural mineral water available for purchase is often bottled in plastic water bottles, which can be contaminated with microplastics, or small plastics, which can be harmful to health.
Is it true that drinking mineral water is better than drinking plain water?
Many people believe that drinking mineral water is more beneficial than drinking plain water because mineral water contains many nutrients and minerals. Therefore, it is probably better than drinking plain water. Which is pure water that does not contain any minerals or nutrients.
But in reality, although drinking mineral water may provide more nutrients than drinking plain water, the amount of minerals found in mineral water is not much or different from the minerals we may get from eating regular food. Drinking mineral water may just help increase the amount of those minerals. But it is not a large enough amount to have any effect on the body.
On the other hand, some people who believe that drinking mineral water is better than plain water may drink too much mineral water. Resulting in water intoxication, which can be life-threatening.
Finally, mineral water is just another option that helps supplement the nutrients that the body needs. If you want to choose to drink mineral water instead of plain water. You should choose to drink in moderation and eat other foods from the five food groups. Our bodies will receive enough nutrients to meet the needs of the body.