Asked by
rajesh goyl
in
Personal Health
at
1:58 PM on April 28, 2008
deepa iyer's Answer
difference between various types of bottled waters lies mainly in where the source is located and what processes the water goes through before it is sold to consumers. Not all bottled waters are recommended for drinking, so it is important to know the difference if your health plan includes increasing water intake or avoiding certain types of beverages.
Some types of bottled water, such as well or spring, get their designation from their original source. Mineral water must contain a specified amount of trace minerals naturally before it can be sold. Distilled or purified water must be put through a filtration or mechanical process in order to remove contaminants and minerals. Some water types may actually fit into several different categories- distilled water, for example, is also purified by definition. Spring and well waters make excellent refreshments during and after exercise, but distilled water lacks trace minerals and may not have a satisfying taste. Mineral water may have a natural sparkle and refreshing taste, but a little may go a long way.
Here's a closer look at each type of water and how each one fits in an everyday world.
1. Well water. Well water could be the source of other types of consumable bottle waters such as 'drinking' or regular tap water. The main definition of 'well water' is water that has been stored in permeable rocks and soil. If a drill is employed to find the original aquifer, then the collected water is considered 'well water'. Because it has spent time in contact with natural minerals, well water is generally an excellent drinking water. Some processing may be necessary because of possible contamination in the soil, but many private land owners have wells that last for years and the water is naturally healthy. Specific companies can market their bottled waters as 'well water' as long as they pass FDA standards and are clearly from a protected water source located underground. Some municipal waters may also come from underground sources, so ordinary tap water may also qualify as well water under the right circumstances.
2. Spring water. Well water and spring water are similar in the sense that they are both produced from natural aquifers located around rockbeds and soil. Spring water, however, continues naturally to the surface. Water which comes from below and has no natural tributaries is considered to be spring water. It's also a very good water to drink during and after exercise or throughout the day. Bottlers may use some natural processes such as reverse osmosis to improve water quality, but spring water must be naturally rich in trace minerals. Some municipalities also use spring water as a source for their tap waters, but they are processed with chemicals and more advanced filtration systems. Spring water is perhaps the best overall water for health benefits and rehydration. It has a good taste and is fairly inexpensive at grocery stores.
3. Mineral waters. Again, water is water and most bottled varieties will rehydrate the body effectively. Mineral water can come from a natural well or spring, but must contain a specified amount of trace minerals. These minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, are essential for good health. There is no difference between sparkling and non-sparkling mineral waters except for the concentration of carbon dioxide. Both varieties contain a higher concentration of minerals than either spring or well water. Because the water must meet specific requirements, the number of water sources that qualify is very limited. Most of the popular varieties of mineral waters are bottled in Europe and imported to the United States. This means that bottled mineral water is going to be more expensive than other types, but the benefits of the added minerals are measurable. Mineral water may be more of a treat than a daily refreshment, but it does offer some health benefits. Some may find the taste to b
Answered at
11:26 PM on April 29, 2008
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