In the regulations of the Eurasian Economic Union, mineral water underground water with a natural chemical composition, which was extracted from natural places untouched by man. Simply put, from a well, and not from a local reservoir. That is, if water was taken from the tap and various salts were thrown into it, it is no longer mineral, but .
In the United States, mineral water from underground sources that contains at least 250 solid particles per million dissolved in it.
In Russia, the type of water depends on the amount of minerals. It be:
- Table water . This contains up to 1 g of minerals per dm³, i.e. per liter.
- Medicinal-table . Such waters may contain less than 1 g of minerals per dm³, or more — up to 10 g/dm³. The prefix “medicinal-” appears if the water contains a certain amount of biologically active components. For example, for boric water to be considered medicinal-table, it must contain 35 or more mg/dm³ of boron, and if this mineral is more than 100 mg/dm³, the water will already be medicinal.
- Medicinal . It may contain from 10 to 15 g of mineral salts per dm³. It may be less, but, as in the case of medicinal and table water, then the water must have a certain concentration of biologically active components. For example, more than 25 mg/dm³ bromine, more than 10 mg/dm³ iodine, more than 15 mg/dm³ carbon and more than 10 mg/dm³ fluorine.
There are many types of mineral water by the content of biologically active components, and this is reflected in the name. For example, sodium bicarbonate, magnesium-sodium-calcium, ferrous and others. What is in the name, then in the composition, although the specific content of salts should be looked at the label.
There you can also find out whether the water is naturally carbonated. If so, it means that it already natural carbon dioxide and the manufacturer did not carbonate the water.
What benefits are attributed to mineral water?
Some mineral water producers that the water activates the immune system, helps remove toxins that accumulate in the body, improves metabolism and treats obesity, serves as a preventative measure against gastrointestinal diseases, colds and flu, and improves skin condition. Others that mineral water accelerates the excretion of bile, reduces heartburn by neutralizing stomach acid, and also works as a laxative.
Interestingly, mineral water is sold in pharmacies, which hints at its ability to treat something. And the Russian state standard for mineral natural drinking waters that these drinks can be used outside the acute phase of diseases of the esophagus, chronic gastritis, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, diseases of the intestines, gall bladder, pancreas, and liver.
The authors of the standard also suggest drinking mineral water after surgery on the gastrointestinal tract and in case of problems with metabolism : diabetes, obesity, salt and lipid metabolism disorders. And also in case of diseases of the urinary tract and iron deficiency anemia.
However, the state standard is issued by the Federal Agency for Technical Regulation and Metrology. It is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Industry, not the Ministry of Health.
Spa experts treating gastrointestinal diseases, diabetes, urolithiasis, pyelonephritis and prostatitis with mineral water. Reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels with its help, improve carbohydrate metabolism, normalize the functions of the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, pituitary gland, eliminate skin diseases. In a word, improve your health completely, from head to toe.
People buy mineral water to solve everyday problems like hangovers . Or they drink salty water during intense sweating – to restore electrolytes lost with sweat.
It seems that mineral water can not only treat everything, but also serve as a preventative measure against various diseases. In fact, it turns out that there are only a few conditions for which mineral water treatment has been at least somewhat studied.
In what conditions was mineral water tested?
Scientists suggest that mineral water may help with several conditions. It should be noted right away that this is not a proven benefit, but only an assumption that has yet to be tested.
Constipation
Magnesium sulfate mineral water may act as a mild laxative. Four randomized controlled trials that such mineral water, both carbonated and still, improves intestinal motility and increases the number of stools per week. Scientists that magnesium and sulfates cause a laxative effect by preventing the absorption of water in the colon. As a result, stool becomes softer and easier to pass.
Decreased bone mineral density
A 2000 meta-analysis that calcium from mineral water is absorbed no worse than calcium from dairy products. Although the sample size of the studies included in the analysis was small, the authors of the review concluded that calcium from mineral water is very bioavailable.
The author of another of scientific papers came to the same conclusion. He noted that after drinking water with calcium, the amount of this mineral in the urine increases. In addition, the level of parathyroid hormone in the plasma, which usually in response to low calcium levels, decreases, and markers of bone destruction also decrease.
But that doesn’t mean calcium water will replace other sources of the mineral. After all, health experts recommend green leafy vegetables, dried fruits, tofu, and dairy products as sources of calcium , and don’t say a word about mineral water.
So, if you have a reason to worry about your bone mineral density, it’s best to go to your GP and ask him or her how to change your diet. And add some exercise – unlike mineral water, this intervention proven effectiveness.
High blood pressure
One small involving 70 volunteers with hypertension found that natural mineral water lowered blood pressure in those who lacked calcium and magnesium.
But not everything is so clear-cut. For example, in a review of 12 scientific papers that assessed the effect of mineral water on blood pressure, five a positive effect, while six effect.
Is it possible to use mineral water for treatment?
As you can see, there is not much evidence of the benefits of mineral water. And the list of conditions for which it can at least theoretically help is also very small.
In order for mineral water to be called an effective method of treating or preventing the same gastrointestinal problems, a randomized controlled trial needs to be conducted. This means that one group of people will drink mineral water, and another will drink similar water, but without minerals. In the end, the results need to be compared for health indicators, such as the state of the gastrointestinal tract or cholesterol levels .
There should be enough such studies to be included in a systematic review. And if it turns out that most experiments have shown a positive effect and no negative effects, the method can be recognized as effective. After which it will be included in official prescriptions for the treatment of diseases.
Of course, in some Russian clinical guidelines you can also find ineffective methods like homeopathy. But even in them there are no instructions to use mineral water for the treatment or prevention of diseases.
For example, in clinical for the treatment of gastritis and duodenitis, mineral water is mentioned only once, and is not recommended directly, but is simply listed in the list of what will be done in the sanatorium. The same with for constipation. And the level of evidence for this method is 5. That is, at the level of “That doctor says it helps.” And the personal opinion of an expert at the very bottom of the pyramid of evidence-based medicine. In other words, it does not prove anything and cannot serve as a basis for prescribing a method.