Our body and our organs are dependent on being supplied with sufficient water. How much water or liquid we should take daily to us, is individually different. However, since the body only signals to us that supplies are running low when we are thirsty, the rule of thumb is 1.5 to 2 liters of fluid in the form of beverages per day. But: not all water is the same. Find out the differences between tap water, mineral water, spring water and co. in the following.
Small 1×1 of the water types
In addition to the well-known mineral water, there are a number of other types of water, which all differ significantly from each other: by their origin, composition and taste. So we are spoiled for choice between:
- Drinking water (tap water)
- Natural mineral water
- Medicinal water
- Spring water
- Table water
All types of water have in common that they have no calories. The specifics of the different types of water and the definition to distinguish them, we present below.
Drinking water (tap water)
Tap water is not obtained from deep water like mineral water, but from groundwater or surface water. The quality of this water is not the same everywhere; in fact, it varies from place to place. Unlike mineral water, it is not of natural purity. Depending on how clean it is, it must therefore be treated and purified by the waterworks. For example, it can be treated with chlorine or additionally filtered through activated carbon. In Germany, drinking water is checked frequently and thoroughly. It can therefore be assumed to be of good quality. However, caution is advised if the water flows from outdated lead pipes.
Natural mineral water
Mineral water is a pure natural product, which is obtained from the so-called deep water. This has formed over many decades from precipitation water. It is naturally purified and filtered by percolating through layers of earth and rock (especially carbonate and salt rocks). Along the way, the water also absorbs carbonic acid and minerals. The more carbonic acid a water contains, the more minerals are dissolved from the surrounding rock layers. Mineral water must come from an underground source and be of natural purity. It is bottled directly at the source and is the only foodstuff that must be officially recognized. Nothing may be added to natural mineral water. Only the removal of iron and the regulation of the content of carbonic acid are allowed. In addition, the label must state:
- Treatment process
- Source name
- Filling location
- Date and result of the officially recognized analysis
Medicinal water as a medicinal product
Natural medicinal water must meet even higher standards. It must come from special healing sources and is subject to the strict guidelines of the Medicines Act – thus a license is required. As so-called finished medicinal products, medicinal waters must have a medical efficacy, i.e., they must be able to prevent, alleviate, or even cure diseases, for example. Possible areas of application are, for example, chronic gastrointestinal diseases, various kidney ailments and osteoporosis.
Spring water: water from the depths
Spring water also comes from underground water deposits. However, it does not have to have demonstrable effects on health, does not contain a consistent amount of minerals, and is not officially recognized. The same standards are applied to the composition of spring water as to tap water.
Table water – a mixture
Table water does not have to be of natural origin. It is an industrially produced, artificial mixture of tap water and other ingredients such as salt water or mineral water. Within the framework of general food law, additives may be added to table water. Since table water is not tied to a specific source, it may be produced and bottled at any location (including via containers and tankers) and may also be offered “loose,” i.e., on tap. Unlike mineral water, it does not have to be officially approved.
Glossary: information about mineral water
The following terms and indications are frequently found in the context of water:
- De-iced: the iron originally contained in the water was filtered out of the source. If the water is not “de-iced”, it oxidizes on contact with oxygen – the contents of the bottle would turn rusty brown about an hour after opening.
- Low mineral salt content below 500 milligrams per liter (mg/l): this water is suitable for everyday use.
- Very low mineral salt content below 50 mg/l: low mineral salt content is recommended for kidney stones and high blood pressure.
- High mineral salt content up to 1500 mg/l: This water is not suitable for daily use and should be used only when medically indicated, such as metabolic disorders, diseases of the digestive tract or pancreas.
- Bicarbonate content greater than 600 mg / l: This water supports the enzymatic processes of digestion.
- Sulfate content more than 200 mg/l: A laxative effect is expected.
- Chloride content more than 200 mg/l: The chloride content promotes the function of the intestine, gall bladder and liver.
- Calcium content more than 150 mg/l: Such water provides calcium in case of milk intolerance, is suitable during pregnancy and for children in growth.
- Magnesium content more than 50 mg/l: This water is particularly suitable for stress and for people who are active in sports.
- Fluorine content more than 1 mg / l: In osteoporosis, this water is particularly suitable.
- Content of bivalent iron (Fe2+) more than 1 mg / l: This iron-containing water is suitable for anemia.
- Sodium content more than 200 mg/l: Such a high content of sodium has a beneficial effect on intestinal transit, bile ducts and liver; but is not suitable for hypertension.
- Sodium content 20 mg/l, nitrate content 10 mg/l: Such water is suitable for the preparation of infant formula.
- Sodium content less than 20 mg/l: This water is suitable for low-sodium diet, for example, in hypertension.
Tap water quality
Many people like to drink tap water – because it tastes good to them, they do not want to lug boxes or avoid waste. You don’t have to give up carbonated water in the process, either, because so-called soda makers allow you to fizz up the water yourself. But what about the quality of drinking water: Can tap water be drunk without hesitation? Before drinking water is fed into the public network, it goes through several purification steps. The regulations of the German Water Ordinance are so strict that water from the tap is considered the most strictly controlled foodstuff in Germany. It is true that groundwater can contain too much nitrate – largely as a result of agricultural fertilization. However, a limit of 50 milligrams of nitrate per liter applies in this regard. If this is exceeded, the water may not even be fed in by the water supplier. Occasionally, drinking water also contains small amounts of uranium, which can occur naturally in water (including mineral water). Local water suppliers check the uranium content of tap water and can provide information about it. They also ensure compliance with the limits.
Contamination from water pipes
Even if water has passed strict controls at the supplier, in rare cases it can become contaminated as it travels through household pipes, such as when it passes through pipes made of lead or copper:
- Water with a pH below 7 can dissolve particles from copper pipes that accumulate in the water. For this reason, the Drinking Water Ordinance requires water suppliers to adjust the pH of the water to a value of 7.8 or higher whenever possible. Copper pipes may only be used if the nature of the drinking water allows it.
- Lead pipes, which were installed in parts of Germany until 1973, can release lead into the water, especially if the water stood in the pipes for a long time. Lead pipes should therefore be replaced.
Are you unsure about the quality of your tap water or do you want to use it for the preparation of baby food, you can make an inquiry to your water supplier or have your water tested by an independent institute. pH and hardness can even be determined yourself using test strips. As a general rule, you should drain water that has been standing in the pipe for a long time (stagnant water), also because of the possible germ contamination, and not use it as drinking water.
Lime in tap water
Lime in drinking water is unsightly to look at and can contaminate household appliances such as the kettle with white deposits. However, hard water, i.e. water containing lime, is not harmful to health. Hard water contains more minerals, specifically calcium and magnesium, which are desirable from a health point of view. If your water is too chalky, water filters with activated carbon can help rid it of limescale, improving the taste of tea, for example – but remember to replace the cartridges regularly because of the potential for germ formation. According to Stiftung Warentest, by the way, table filters can also help reduce levels of lead and copper – but not nitrates. Softening systems such as ion exchangers, however, are controversial because, on the one hand, they can increase the germ load in the water without sufficient maintenance and, on the other hand, dosing systems can increase the level of phosphate (which is undesirable in drinking water).
Too little water causes dizziness
When the climate is hot and oppressive, complaints such as headaches and circulatory problems with dizziness can be an indication of a lack of water in the body. Many people drink enough, but not the right things. Alcoholic beverages, sugary sodas, mixed milk drinks or juices are not good thirst quenchers – on the contrary. Mineral water or good drinking water are much better. Those who do not like it pure can also mix it with juice, whereby the mixing ratio should be one part juice and two parts mineral water. Since plenty of salt is also lost during sweating, a mineral water with at least 250 milligrams of sodium content is recommended. It is also important not to drink too much at once, but in small sips throughout the day. Because water that is absorbed too quickly is also quickly excreted again by the kidneys or sweated out on hot days.
Water for digestion
However, the right amount to drink is not only important for the water balance of the body, but also for digestion. This is because the body reabsorbs water from the intestines. Anyone who suddenly suffers from constipation in warm weather should definitely increase their daily intake. Because a too firm bowel movement indicates a clearly too low drinking quantity.
Select the right water
Water regulates the mineral balance in our body. The minerals are important for our metabolism, the conduction of excitation in the nerves and the activity of the muscles. Depending on individual needs, the right water can help balance the respective consumption of minerals:
- Who has a lot of stress, should reach for a mineral water with a high proportion of magnesium, because this strengthens concentration and nerves.
- Athletes and people who perform physically demanding activities should not only drink a lot, but choose a water with a lot of sodium, which the body loses through sweating. Sodium is important for the water balance of the body as well as the acid-base balance.
- Children in the growth phase need a lot of calcium, so a water with a high calcium content is especially recommended for them. In mineral water, the calcium is already in dissolved form and can therefore be absorbed by the body particularly well.
- Who neither sweats a lot nor a lot of stress or for other reasons has an increased need for minerals, can reach for a lightly mineralized and therefore quite tasteless mineral water.
In some situations, it may also be advisable to choose water by taste. In restaurants, as an aperitif, a slightly salty mineral water with a lot of carbon dioxide is gladly served, which stimulates the taste. For the meal, the choice should then fall on a mineral water with a medium or low content of minerals and carbonic acid, as this does not mask the flavor of the food.
