Water You Drinkin’?

Ever wonder why you don’t need to teach babies to drink water? Our need for it is built into our DNA! Back in the day, the closer a community is to a source of clean water, the better its chances of survival—they didn’t have much choice though, it’s good so long as it's drinkable. But what a time to be alive wherein, thanks to modern technology, we can actually choose what type of water to drink!

Hydration, digestion, temperature regulation—these are some of the bodily functions necessary for our survival that benefit from drinking water. Different water types taken from various sources provide unique drinking experiences, including taste and mineral content. Let’s flow into these drinking water types one by one and talk about their differences.

“Bili ka ng mineral.” A phrase that Filipinos love using when asking to someone to buy any type of water from a water station. But what is mineral water, really? As it says in its name, mineral water has mineral content. This is because we get it from natural springs or wells that infuse the water with various minerals and elements. Direct contact with rocks containing minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, and bicarbonate provides the water with health benefits associated with the minerals it comes in contact with, making the water nutritious and refreshing to drink.

Bone development, hair and nail formation, and energy transportation are only some of the many benefits from the minerals present in water.

If you’re looking for an even more natural source of drinking water, spring water is the way to go! Spring water passes through the soil, sometimes through deep roots of trees, into underground reservoirs. Throughout its descent, much like mineral water, it picks up nutrients and minerals along the way. But unlike mineral water, spring water undergoes minimal processing from ground to bottle, making it the ideal choice for those wanting an even more natural drinking water option.

If the first two options have much to offer in minerals and nutrients, sparkling water has much to offer in experience. Also known as carbonated water or soda water, sparkling water is infused with carbon dioxide gas under pressure. This creates that fizzy, bubbly texture reminiscent of soft drinks. Interestingly, sparkling water can be naturally carbonated from underground sources, or artificially through processing. Compared to sodas, sparkly drinks are free from calories, so it’s perfect for those looking for that fizzy drink experience without the sugary side. Although, there are some flavored options from sparkling water brands that can serve as the middle ground.

One final drop of information, it’s worth noting that mineral content in different forms of drinking water can vary significantly from brand to brand. If you’re looking for something specific, always check the labels and nutrition facts in the packaging. Now, drink up!

Sources:

1. Quattrini S, Pampaloni B, Brandi ML. Natural mineral waters: chemical characteristics and health effects. Clin Cases Miner Bone Metab. 2016 Sep-Dec;13(3):173-180. doi: 10.11138/ccmbm/2016.13.3.173. Epub 2017 Feb 10. PMID: 28228777; PMCID: PMC5318167. 
2. WebMD Editorial Contributors. (n.d.). Sparkling Water: Are There Benefits? WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/diet/sparkling-water-health-benefits