BEWARE of These Side Effects of Drinking Mineral Water

Drinking Mineral Water Side Effects

The biggest issue is when you buy something that appears to be “mineral” water but it’s simply sparkling water with lots of added artificial minerals.

Other forms of sparkling water (that are sugar free) may not contain any minerals so you miss out on the extra health benefits.

Drinking something like this may provide you with good hydration but not benefit your health in the long run.

This is why it is important to choose your water carefully. Choose a brand that is naturally high in minerals.

Also make sure that it is completely free from added sugars, flavorings and artificial sweeteners.

 Is Mineral Water Bad For Your Kidneys?

The short answer is, no.

The Internet is full of wild rumors that carbonated water can pose a risk to your kidneys and potentially cause kidney stones. However, there is no scientific evidence or data to back this up.

 Can You Drink Too Much Mineral Water?

Well the thing is you can drink too much water in general. I have written about this in my post: What Happens If You Drink Too Much Water?

Drinking too much water leads to something called hyponatremia or “water intoxication”. In extreme cases, it can lead to death. The easiest way to avoid this is to drink small amounts of water throughout the day rather than ‘water-binge’ in one session.

Mineral Water Benefits

Here are some of the most impressive mineral water benefits that you should know about.

Drinking Mineral Rich Water is Hydrating

There is no doubt about it. Plain water is the best way to get all your hydration needs.

Proper hydration is important to optimal health.

This is further enhanced if you hydrate using something that is rich in natural healthy minerals.

Sparkling water is usually easier to drink than plain boring water because it quite literally sparkles. This makes it more refreshing and tasty.

Provides A Source Of Calcium

It is called “mineral water” for a reason. It typically includes mineral-nutrients like calcium.

The exact amount of calcium will vary from brand to brand.

However, there are some mineral rich water brands that contain as much as 348 milligrams of calcium per liter.

That might not sound like a lot but it represents 44% of the recommended daily calcium intake based on a 2,000 calorie a day diet.

Has Benefits For Skin

Drinking water in general is good for your skin. But mineral rich water is even more so because of its high silica content.

Silica is famous for being able to strengthen the spongy cells in between elastin fibres and collagen, this can reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

This is why some people swear by only drinking water rich in minerals and some go as far as to wash themselves with it too!

It Adds More Magnesium to Your Diet

Magnesium is important to everyday biological functions like regulating blood pressure, nerve function and regulating blood sugar.

It is also an essential part of how your body produces energy.

Sadly, most people do not get enough magnesium in their diets. This is according to a research study published in “The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition” in January 2002.

The same study goes on to conclude that mineral water can be a good source of magnesium especially as it comes in completely natural and calorie-free form.

The bottom line is that sparkling water can contain up to 108 milligrams of magnesium per liter (e.g. Perrier). Or in other words, 29% of your daily recommended magnesium intake.

Mineral Water Is The Healthiest To Drink?

There are studies which show mineral water is the healthiest water to drink.

This is because it contains lots of essential minerals like magnesium, calcium and iron.

Drinking these minerals on a regular basis is good for your well-being and overall health.

The best part is that unlike tap water, mineral-water is likely to be free from contaminants, impurities yet also completely natural.

Let’s take a closer look at these benefits as well as some issues you should be aware of.

What is Mineral Water?

Mineral water is natural water that comes from a mineral spring. This means it contains lots of natural healthy minerals like sulfur compounds and salts.

It is also likely to come in an effervescent form or “sparkling” because of the gasses it contains.

How To Make Mineral Water

1. Fill up an open container with approximately one liter of filtered water.
2. Add mineral sodium to the water by putting in1/8th teaspoon of baking soda into the water.
3. Increase the purity of the water by adding 1/8th teaspoon of epsom salt into the mix.
4. The final ingredient to be added is 1/8th teaspoon of potassium bicarbonate.
5. Then, stir the mixture until all the ingredients dissolve fully.
6. Complete the final step by passing the water through a seltzer bottle.
7. Squeezing the handle of this bottle will give you fresh home made mineral water.

Different brands have different recipes and compositions. However, the step by step process laid out here is the most basic, fail proof way to make safe drinking DIY mineral rich water.

Mineral Water vs Water

Mineral Water	General Drinking Water
Comes from natural springs and normally bottled at source in plastics or glass.	General drinking water (like distilled or purified water) comes from any source but has been filtered and treated to remove any impurities.
Completely natural	Has been treated or filtered in some way.

AquaTru Water Filter	Berkey Water Filter
- Arsenic: Approx 90% (unspecified). - Fluoride by 91.8% (WITHOUT extra filters). - Lead 97.5% - Benzene 99.9% - Chlorine 96.6% - Cysts 99.99%	- Arsenic by 99.9% (special filters required). - Fluoride by 99.9% (special filters required). - Lead 97.5% - Benzene 99.8%
Available in 1-size only.	Available in various sizes.
Plastic materials.	Metal & plastic materials.
Number of filters: 3	Number of filters: 2 - 4
Filter methods: Mechanical, Reverse Osmosis & Activated Carbon filters.	Filter methods: Black microporous-filters & white fluoride Filters
4-stage filter process.	2-stage filter process.
Holds a maximum water capacity of 3-quarts.	2.25 Gallons
45.7 x 45.7 x 38.1 cm	19" High x 8.5" Diameter
System: 1 year limited warranty.	Filters: 2 years; System: 1 year.
Full Performance Data Sheet (AquaTru).	Berkey Contaminants List NSF/ANSI test results
SPECIAL OFFER? Yes, use code MRWATERGEEK	SPECIAL OFFER? Yes, Big Berkey bundle sale

Which Is The Best Mineral Water?

There are a few very popular mineral water brands but the most well known are:

1. San Pellegrino
2. Perrier

1. San Pellegrino

San Pellegrino is a well established brand that produces mineral sparkling water.

It is seen as a luxury brand and can often be found at expensive restaurants. It is also used by chefs and and a favourite of fine dining lovers.

Nestlé are the owners of the San Pellegrino brand since 1997. San Pellegrino water comes directly from San Pellegrino Terme, Italy.

2. Perrier

This is one of the most famous French brands of natural bottled mineral sparkling water. It is bottled at source in Vergèze, in the Gard Département, France.

This brand is best known for being full of naturally occurring carbonation as well as its distinctive green bottle.

It has a higher level of carbonation (natural gases) than other brands.

Perrier Water Benefits

Perrier can help if you suffer from a magnesium deficit.This is because one liter can contain around 29% (up to 108 mg) of your recommended daily magnesium intake.

It can help to maintain and regulate sugar levels and blood pressure.

Full of natural healthy minerals since it is bottled at source.

Scientific References

Arik Azoulay, Philippe Garzon, Mark J Eisenberg, Comparison of the Mineral Content of Tap Water and Bottled Waters, J Gen Intern Med. 2001 March; 16(3): 168-175.

Green M, Green M. The Good Water Guide. London, England: Rosendale Press; 1994.

LaMoreaux, Philip E.; Tanner, Judy T, eds. (2001), Springs and bottled water of the world: Ancient history, source, occurrence, quality and use, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York: Springer-Verlag, ISBN 3-540-61841-4, retrieved 13 March 2017.

Patuxent and Potomac water filtration plants Tap Water Analysis.

Von Wiesenberger A. The Pocket Guide to Bottled Water. 1st ed. Chicago: Contemporary Books; 1991.

Investigation of mineral-waters and soft drinks in relation to dental erosion. Parry J, Shaw L, Arnaud MJ, Smith AJ. J Oral Rehabil. 2001 Aug;28(8):766-72. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11556958