Nutrition and diets 

Everything you need to know about mineral water: composition, benefits, contraindications

Mineral water: a harmless drink or a medicine that you need to be careful with? The controversy has been going on for a long time, and now we will try to dot the i's, evaluate all the pros and cons.

Mineral is called natural underground water (rarely it is surface water), which has special physical and chemical properties and contains gases, salts, organic substances that have a therapeutic effect on the human body.

The main difference between such waters is a higher level of mineralization compared to fresh waters (it can range from 1 (0.1%) to 50 grams (5%) of solids per 1 liter of water).

Based degree of mineralization, these waters are divided into:

  • slightly mineralized (1-2 g/l);
  • low mineralization water (2-5 g/l);
  • medium mineralization (5-15 g/l);
  • high mineralization (15-35 g/l);
  • brine water (35-150 g/l);
  • strongly brine water (more than 150 g/l).

It should be noted that waters with a salinity of 2-20 g/l are suitable for internal use.

The formation of mineral water is a long process. In fact, it is rainwater that has been accumulating in various layers of earth rocks for thousands of years. It acquires its special properties due to the mineral substances that dissolve in it. And the degree of purification of mineral water is indicated by the depth of occurrence: the deeper the water goes into the rock, the higher the degree of purification and the content of carbon dioxide and nutrients in it.

Composition and types of mineral water

In addition to the level of mineralization, the chemical composition plays an important role. Depending on the combinations of six main components (macroelements calcium, magnesium, sodium, as well as chlorine, bicarbonate (HCO 3) and sulfate (SO 4)), mineral waters are:

  • sulfate;
  • chloride;
  • hydrocarbonate;
  • calcium;
  • magnesium;
  • sodium;
  • mixed.

The main features of the chemical composition of various mineral waters are, in fact, reflected in the names. So the main feature sulfate waters– a significant presence in their composition (more than 25%) of sulfate anions with the concentration of other anions less than 25%. As part of chloride mineral waters are dominated by chlorine anions, in hydrocarbonate, respectively, high content of bicarbonate ion (HCO 3). Calcium, sodium and magnesium waters- these are mineral waters with a predominance of the corresponding cations and their inherent qualities.

However, most of the water is mixed, that is, they have a set of different cations and anions, which ultimately determines their benefit or harm to human health.

Another important component of mineral water is carbon dioxide(or carbonic anhydride), which is formed by the interaction of carbon dioxide with underground rock and contributes to the formation of the beneficial properties of the drink. Carbon dioxide softens the taste and stabilizes the chemical composition, and this helps to quench thirst faster and indicates the benefits of mineral water for human health.

The composition of mineral water can include all the elements from the periodic table, but in very small quantities. Of the most significant in quantitative terms - iodine, fluorine, copper, iron, manganese, cobalt, lithium, bromine.

According to the concentration of mineral salts, they distinguish:

  • table mineral water;
  • medical dining room;
  • medical.

IN table water the lowest salt content (no more than 1 g / l), healthy people can drink it without restrictions and cook food on it (there are no specific taste and smell).

IN medicinal table waters the degree of mineralization is higher (1.5-7 g / l), they are divided into two groups, which differ in the severity of the therapeutic effect. The water of the first group does not possess it, and the medicinal table water of the second group, on the contrary, is medicinal: it must be used carefully, not more than 0.5-1 l / day, and it must not be subjected to heat treatment.

The highest degree of mineralization is typical for medicinal mineral water(from 7 g/l), which contains essential trace elements. The intake of such mineral waters can only be prescribed by the attending physician (usually no more than 200 ml per day).

By origin, mineral water can be:


The creation of mineral water is actively practiced by enriching ordinary tap water with the necessary salts, minerals and carbon dioxide. Such a drink, of course, will not harm health, but there is little benefit from it. Even if it meets sanitary norms and rules, such water is not an active medium, but only a lifeless solution of salts.

When buying natural water, remember: even if all the conditions for extraction and storage are met, liquid crystals can be destroyed in mineral water during long-term transportation, as a result of which useful properties are lost.

Benefits of mineral water

High-quality natural mineral water, which has a unique mineral composition, is able to energize the body, help in the fight against viruses and infections.

Positive properties of mineral water, impact on the human body:

  • intake of essential microelements into the body;
  • activation of enzymes;
  • strengthening the cells of the body;
  • strengthening of bone tissue and tooth enamel;
  • regulation of indicators of acid-base balance;
  • strengthening immunity;
  • improvement in well-being.

Mineral water brings no less benefit as a means for effective cleansing the body, as it is able to quickly remove toxins and toxins. And also normalize metabolism, which helps to reduce body weight.

Mineral water contributes increase the tone of the body, and this is very useful for increased physical and mental stress.

In addition, drinking mineral water normalizes blood pressure and strengthens the nervous system. And when heated, this healing drink can become an assistant in the fight against inflammation, pain and stomach cramps.

Mineral water contributes liquefaction of the contents of the gallbladder and outflow of bile.

With regular use, mineral water will bring tangible benefits to your health!

Carbonated and non-carbonated water

Obviously, the main difference between carbonated mineral water and non-carbonated drinking water is the presence of carbon dioxide. Recall: carbonated mineral water Benefits when taken in moderation. It not only quickly copes with thirst, but also promotes faster digestion of food and increased production of gastric juice - feel free to drink carbonated mineral water after a meal.

As such, mineral soda does not bring harm. However, it should be remembered that carbon dioxide contributes to acidity and flatulence, so people with problems with the gastrointestinal tract, as well as young children, should better refrain from drinking water with gas.


Drinking still water happens the first and the highest category of quality. Their main difference is that if water of the first category should be simply harmless to human health in terms of radiation, chemical and microbiological indicators, then water of the highest quality category should also be full in terms of the content of macroelements. So read the labels carefully.

Rules for use without harm to health

  • First of all, you need to decide what kind of water to drink. Medicinal and medicinal table mineral water, as mentioned earlier, should be prescribed by a specialist according to the available indications.
  • Secondly, you need to decide on the amount of water. The optimal amount of consumption of table mineral water is 500 ml per day. However, this applies to people who do not have problems with the joints, gastrointestinal tract and kidneys. The permitted volume of medicinal table and medicinal mineral waters depends, again, on the doctor's recommendations.
  • Thirdly, how long can you drink medicinal waters? The duration of the course depends on the nature of the disease, but the maximum period is 1.5 months. Most often it is recommended to drink mineral water before meals.

Thus, the benefits and harms of drinking mineral water are determined by its quality and quantity. Remember that everything is useful in moderation. The main thing is to listen to your body.

Possible harm and side effects

Since an excess of mineral substances in the human body is no less harmful than its deficiency, one must be extremely careful.

So, you should not use mineral water as a regular drink. It is justified to use it in hot weather, as it perfectly quenches thirst, and during great physical and mental stress, but in limited quantities. That is, in cases where there is a risk of dehydration and loss of mineral salts.

The use of medicinal mineral waters without medical supervision is also fraught with overdoses, they must be consumed in courses in strict accordance with the prescriptions.

An increase in the salt content in the body due to excessive consumption of mineral water can adversely affect the condition of the kidneys and joints.

It is very important to observe the reaction of the body. If after drinking mineral water you notice hand tremors, jumps in blood pressure, heart rhythm disturbances, insomnia and nervousness, immediately stop taking mineral water and consult a specialist.

In what diseases is the use of mineral water effective?

The benefits of drinking mineral water are determined by its unique chemical composition.

  • If iron is included in the mineral water, it will be indispensable for people suffering from anemia.
  • Water with a high iodine content is indicated for people with diseases to consume. thyroid gland.
  • For normalization of blood pressure you can use water containing sodium.
  • At urolithiasis shows the use of hydrocarbonate water.
  • For stimulation of metabolic processes in the body and improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, in the presence of gastritis with low acidity, gallbladder dyskinesia, it is advisable to use chloride, chloride sulfate and chloride hydrocarbonate waters (Narzan, Essentuki No. 4 and No. 17).
  • At peptic ulcer stomach or duodenum, chronic gastritis with high or normal acidity, hydrocarbonate sulfate waters with a low content of salts and carbon dioxide (Borjomi) are suitable.
  • If you suffer from chronic inflammatory diseases of the large and small intestines (enteritis, colitis, enterocolitis) with diarrhea, then you are recommended to use bicarbonate sulfate waters with a significant concentration of calcium salts and an average or low content of carbon dioxide and other salts (Nabeglavi).
  • In cases when inflammatory diseases of the large and small intestines, sluggish peristalsis, give preference to chloride and chloride sulfate waters with a high or medium concentration of mineral salts and carbon dioxide (Essentuki No. 17, Druskininkai).
  • Bicarbonate, bicarbonate chloride and bicarbonate sulfate waters with an average and low content of mineral salts and carbon dioxide (Nabeglavi, Borjomi, Essentuki No. 4 and No. 17) contribute to stimulation of the liver and gallbladder, so they can be drunk with diseases of the biliary tract, chronic hepatitis, obesity, diabetes, after Botkin's disease, cholelithiasis, as well as chronic bronchitis, laryngitis and laryngotracheitis.

It is important to choose your mineral water correctly so that it brings only benefits to your health.

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