In our quest for a healthy lifestyle, we often focus on diet and exercise, but we tend to overlook a fundamental aspect of our well-being – the water we drink. Water is essential for life, but not all water is created equal. Like many, I used to focus only on the quantity of water I drank and largely ignored the quality.
That is until I watched the Netflix show Down To Earth with Zac Efron. In the France episode, Zac & Darien Olien, a wellness expert, meet Martin Riese, a certified water sommelier (yes, it is a real job) based in LA and I instantly became obsessed! He explains the benefits of mineral water for your health and why purified water may not be the best choice.
So let’s dive in ::pun intended:: below I’ll discuss Martin’s Rules for saving $ and drinking the healthiest water.
#1 Stop Buying Purified Bottled Water!
This is Martin’s number one rule and biggest pet peeve! According to him, most bottled water is just extra-processed tap water! So what should we avoid? Any waters labeled purified or distilled. Companies with clever marketing are upselling tap water to us at crazy prices. To be clear, he is not against filtering your own tap water, he is against being tricked into buying expensive tap water for no reason.
Purified or filtered water, while free from contaminants, lacks the essential minerals that your body needs. Here are some reasons why purified water may not be the best choice:
- Mineral Depletion: The water purification processes like reverse osmosis and distillation remove impurities, however, they also remove all the healthy minerals.
- Taste and Texture: Purified water can taste flat and lack the refreshing quality of mineral water.
- Cost: Paying premium prices for tap water you can filter yourself is just wrong.
#2 Drink Mineral Water
Mineral water is sourced from natural springs or wells and contains a unique blend of minerals that benefit your health in several ways:
- Nutrient-Rich: Mineral water contains essential minerals that most of us are deficient in, like calcium, magnesium, and potassium. These minerals play a crucial role in various bodily functions, from maintaining strong bones to regulating blood pressure. The concentration of minerals is measured by the TDS, or Total Dissolved Solids, number. The greater the TDS, the greater the concentration of healthy minerals and electrolytes.
- Improved Digestion: The minerals can aid digestion by promoting the production of digestive enzymes.
- Balanced Electrolytes: Electrolytes like calcium and magnesium are crucial for muscle function and nerve transmission. Drinking mineral water can help maintain the electrolyte balance in your body.
#3 Be An Informed Consumer
- Don’t forget Martin’s #1 Rule: NEVER buy bottled purified water
- Check the water source: The labels read Natural Spring water or Mineral water because these are natural and mineral rich
- Consider the container: Glass! The best container for water is glass. Plastic and cans (BPA free of course), are the next best options. NEVER buy boxed water. This is a prime example of greenwashing. The boxes are lined with polyethylene and aluminum that can leach into the water and also cannot be recycled because of those chemicals. It is a marketing ploy that boxed water is better. Glass is always the healthiest and most sustainable option!
Most Hearted Top 10 Mineral Waters:
- Gerolsteiner (TDS = 2,527): I LOVE this water, it is very mineral rich coming from a volcanic area in Germany
- San Pellegrino (TDS = 1,109): This is a go to water for us that is from the Italian alps with decent minerality and very easy to drink
- Acqua Panna (TDS = 150): Comes from a Natural Spring in Tuscany and is very smooth
- Hildon (TDS = 312): From England and is very light and refreshing -the tiny bubbles are amazing! It also comes in still if you aren’t a big bubbles fan
- Mountain Valley (TDS = 221): Is an American Spring water that comes from a natural spring in Arkansas and is award winning
- Vichy Catalan (TDS = 2,900): Comes from a thermal spring in Spain and very high in minerals and is very refreshing (strong bubbles)
- Fiji (TDS =222): A favorite still mineral water because it is very smooth which comes from the high silica content and it is slowly filtered through volcanic rock
- Evian (TDS = 345): Naturally filtered through rocks and has a crisp taste with high amount of electrolytes
- Perrier (TDS = 475): Originated from the South of France and a carbonated mineral water – it is pretty bubbly and strong also comes in different flavors
- ROI (TDS = 7,481): From Slovenia and is the most magnesium rich water out there, it is basically medicine. We have not had the pleasure of tasting yet but we will be ordering some to try soon! You can find this water here at Salacious Drinks (heads up it’s a bit pricey)
Are you a mineral water fan yet? In the words of Martin, “Water is not just water” and I hope we sparked an interest for you to explore the exciting world of water.
Next Step – Invite some friends over for a water tasting party!
Order several different mineral waters and invite your friends over to do a blind tasting to see which are your favorites. Remember to keep the water at room temperature so the taste is pure. Keep us posted, we would love to know which brands you love.
Ps. Kari is a Hildon girl & Gina is a Gerolsteiner gal 😉
Cheers!
Gina & Kari