Importance of Minerals in Drinking Water

Drinking water (or potable water) is water that is safe for drinking purposes and can also be used for preparing food.”

Water is indispensable for human survival and plays a significant role in the optimum functioning of the body. If that weren’t enough, it is the main constituent of all basic body fluids such as saliva, blood, synovial fluid, urine, etc. Drinking water regulates all your bodily functions and provides many more benefits for the body. A lot of us underestimate the importance of drinking water daily and don’t truly appreciate what water does for our bodies. It is imperative to understand that while the molecular formula of water is H2O, natural water also contains minute quantities of essential minerals and trace elements. In fact, research suggests that drinking water is quite the vital source of minerals for the human body. This is because, minerals and trace elements that are found in water exist in their ionized form, and such ions are easily absorbed by our gastrointestinal tract.

Drinking water is essential for regulating body temperature. When hot, the water stored in the middle layers of the skin rises to the surface of the skin and comes out as sweat which in turn helps to cool the body. On the other hand, when we are cold, the water gets stored in our body, and that helps to keep your body warm.

Drinking enough water is also essential if you are trying to lose weight. Drinking water before a meal can create a sense of fullness so you won't end up overeating.

The human body requires essential minerals and nutrients such as potassium and magnesium. These minerals are dissolved in water, so it is easy to reach the different parts of the body and keep the body healthy. Drinking mineral-rich water that can play a critical role in keeping illnesses at bay while boosting your immunity.

Dehydration and excess oil production from the oil glands can make your skin dull, cause wrinkling and put you at risk for various skin diseases. By drinking enough water every day, you can keep all such diseases at bay.

For the kidneys to keep functioning properly, you need to keep drinking mineral water. The kidneys regulate where there is enough fluid in the body otherwise, it can lead to kidney problems such as kidney stones.

A total of 21 mineral elements including calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and other trace elements are known to be essential for humans. Minerals are naturally occurring inorganic elements or compounds such as gold, silver and carbon, or as a combination of two elements such as common salt (sodium + chloride). Some common minerals essential for health are calcium - for bones and teeth, magnesium- for healthy nervous system and bones, iron- for the production of haemoglobin, potassium- to keep the muscles and nervous system healthy, zinc - for healthy immune system, and sodium- to maintain balance of water around the cells.

A balanced diet usually provides all of the essential minerals however, some minerals obtained from water are better absorbed than minerals obtained from food. Dr. Chanda Gokhale, Doctorate in Food Science and Nutrition explains, “Natural mineral waters may be an essential source of calcium, magnesium and other minerals. Our body can efficiently utilize calcium and magnesium present in mineral water as they have a high bioavailability.

A study indicated that mineral water with higher concentrations of magnesium constitutes a calorie-free magnesium source that contributes to optimal magnesium supply.

Minerals in drinking water can significantly supplement dietary intake. As the bioavailability of calcium and magnesium in water is usually better than that in food, both elements can be absorbed better through water rather than through food. This is owing to the fact that food contains other components that combine with these minerals to form compounds and this decreases the bioavailability of the minerals. Healthy water needs more minerals but unfortunately not all sources of water are high in minerals.

Mineral water comes from underground reservoirs which have been enriched with nature’s most precious minerals and naturally purified by the soil bed. However, this water is not fit for direct consumption and is further processed for purification. Several purification techniques strip the water of essential minerals.

Commonly used purification techniques include reverse osmosis (RO) or simply boiling of water. RO water filters are designed such that they not only eliminate contaminants from the water but also remove minerals that are essential for maintaining our health. The resulting water is either devoid of necessary minerals or contain them in very trace quantities.

In order to ensure adequate mineral consumption from water, it is imperative to be aware of what kind of processing your drinking water is being subjected to. Water containing recommended levels of total dissolved solids (TDS) is good for health. If you are consuming water that is subjected to purification methods such as RO, ensure that you switch to water that has dissolved minerals or that which has been enriched with added minerals, such as bottled water by Bisleri.

We have all heard that an individual needs to consume an average of 8 glasses of water every day. But in reality, water intake varies from person to person and many factors play a role in influencing each person's water intake. On a hot day or whten you are sweating profusely, you will drink more water and other fluids to stay hydrated and cool. Similarly, you will be required to consume more fluids when you are ill and down with fever or keep throwing up. But in winter, you may not have to drink as much water since the body is retaining water and keeping you warm. On an average day, men should be consuming 3 litres of fluids and women should be drinking 2 litres of fluids every day.

Drinking mineral-rich water holds tremendous health benefits, however it isn’t enough to simply consume the recommended daily amount of water. It is equally, if not more, vital to make sure that you consume water that is free of pathogens and contains the right level of minerals for the seamless functioning of your body. Whatever the season may be, keep drinking mineral water and stay hydrated!

Bisleri water passes through a 10 step purification process and 114 quality tests to ensure you get purity in every sip. A symbol of goodness, trust and purity, Bisleri has been a household name for decades. A leader in the beverage category, we’re cited as the most trusted brand across 500 categories in India. Our relentless commitment to quality stands true to our promise of providing safe, pure & healthy mineral water to consumers for the last 50 years.