Table of Contents
When it comes to water, you want to make sure you're drinking the best quality water possible.
There are many reasons to care since water is such an essential element in our lives.
You usually have three options: spring, purified or tap. Since tap is not healthy for consumption in many countries and cities, people will usually go for the bottled options.
But which one is better?
Which Water is Better, Purified or Spring?
Both the spring and purified water come from the same source – underground water springs – what’s different about them is the process they go through. Because of this, purified and spring water can be really different.
Spring water usually has to be from well-protected and pure sources in the ground in order to carry the title of spring water. This water needs to contain all of the elements that the water in the spring has before treatment. It’s a subject to FDA and IBWA standards that check the healthiness of this water.
Purified water often comes from the exact source the spring water comes from but purified water has to go through an extra treatment. In essence, it’s highly treated through deionization, reverse osmosis and distillation. It doesn’t contain the same elements found in the spring it came from. For instance, you won’t be able to find any chlorine in this water.
They are both safe to drink and have better quality than regular, tap water.
Some people prefer spring water because it has many useful natural minerals and is, largely, healthier than tap water or any other type might be. Many people say that minerals improve the taste as well.
Those who like purified water like the quality and being sure that it’s the best they could get. It’s also much cheaper. So, when it comes to convenience, most people will just choose the purified water.
In essence, spring water has more healthy nutrients and minerals that our bodies need, so it's better.
The 7 Best Spring Bottled Waters
There are many spring water brands on the market, especially since the public is looking for healthier ways to live their lives. However, not all of the brands offer equal quality in water. Not all of them are readily available either. In order to get the right spring water for you, you need to find a perfect blend between convenient and healthy.
Here are the best spring water brands you should look out for on your next shopping trip.
1.Mountain Valley Spring Water
This spring water from Arkansas has been around since 1871. Everyone from presidents to Elvis loved it and praised it for its amazing quality. Even a horse named Secretariat had a preference for Mountain Valley. It has a naturally high pH value which neutralizes acidic foods.
2. Voss
Voss is bottled spring brand water from Norway. It's expensive but contains a ton of helpful minerals. It also seems to be the favorite option of stars and luxury hotels nowadays.
3. Tibet 5100
Launched a decade ago, this product is high quality as it collects the water from a single source in Tibetan mountains. They use sustainable methods and bottling is located at the collecting facility as well so as to avoid contamination.
4. Evian
A well-known choice of spring water due to unique taste and stylish design of packaging. It’s produced in the Alps through a process that takes many years to complete. This water starts as snow and rain and forms into chemical-free water at the collecting facility.
5. Volvic
This is a spring water brand which sells a wide variety of products. It collects the water from springs and brings health and minerals to their customers. You can also order tubs of this water for events.
6. Smartwater
Bottled by Coca-Cola, this water is filtered through purification and distillation as well as re-mineralizing with various necessary nutrients. This gives this water a clean taste and it also has no sodium, sugar or chlorine.
7. Acqua Panna
They use reusable materials to create their bottles and sustainable systems to collect and bottle this water. Their water has a great flavor and keeps consumers hydrated and healthy.
Is Spring Water Treated?
Spring water is collected from aquifers that are connected to underground springs. The water is then placed in large tanks which are transported to the bottling facility. To avoid contamination, the water is chlorinated and ozonated. When it arrives at the facility, the water goes through carbon filtration to remove chlorine.
However, not all brands follow the same process. Some bottle water directly at the spring so no processes are involved. Some people say that because of this, spring water is the same as tap water but this is false. Spring water comes from clean underground sources where there is no pollution and it retains all of the healthy minerals and vitamins that we need from our water.
To get the best water, check the brand’s statements on their process. As you can see, all of them collect and bottle water differently.
Why Reverse Osmosis Water Actually Isn’t Good for You
Tap water toxicity is a real concern in many countries, especially around highly populated areas. Lead and arsenic can be found in some tap examples and we all know how much damage those can do. This is why there is such a big reverse osmosis movement.
Reverse osmosis is a process which filters the water – like saltwater or other, untreated waters. It flows through carbon filters and a membrane which leaves behind the salt and chemicals as well as impurities which can harm you.
The result is supposed to be clean and healthy water. You can purchase and install a system in your home.
However, how good for you is this water in reality?
Oftentimes, reverse osmosis makes sense – in polluted communities, communities with water issues or where water is known to be full of pesticides. Camps use it as well and you can bring it to places where you are not sure about the quality of the tap water.
In a sense, it’s effective in what it does.
However, there are some known disadvantages.
Most of these systems have no way of discerning between bad elements and good elements so they are often removing minerals that we need in our bodies in order to function properly. Iron or manganese, for instance.
You might think that you are getting all of this from food and that getting it from water is irrelevant but in reality, this is not the case. Women are more likely to be iron deficient and may be at a higher risk of suffering from anemia.
Manganese is also important because it serves in balancing the hormones.
Just think about it – if you are not getting these minerals from the water or the food, are you getting enough of what your body needs?
Cooking with this water isn't beneficial, since it can decrease the amount of minerals and vitamins in food. You can lose up to 60% of magnesium and 70% of manganese from the food by cooking in this water.
But all of the attention is on contaminants removal – no one is looking at how many benefits it removes from the water.
World Health Organisation has stated that reverse osmosis water has an adverse effect on people and animals. Long term consumption can make the state even worse.
What’s more, reverse osmosis wastes water. There is not as much pressure so a lot of energy is needed to produce this water – it can waste 85% of water to produce only 15% of drinkable water.
What Countries Can You Not Drink Tap Water?
It’s very important to understand how water works in different countries that you visit. Some countries have perfectly healthy tap water – which can be even healthier than spring water – but some countries have polluted waters and you need to stay away from tap.
Here are some countries where you need to get bottled water and forget about tap water:
- Ukraine
- The Bahamas
- Brazil
- China
- Fiji
- Mexico
- Russia
- Cuba
- Puerto Rico
- Taiwan
- India
- Costa Rica
- Rural Argentina
- Morocco
- Thailand
- United Arab Emirates
- Peru
- Egypt
- The Maldives
- Belize
- Kenya
- Panama
- Nicaragua
- Dominican Republic
- Moldova
Even though this is a long list, many other countries that have not been placed on the list are not tap water safe. So, you should always ask people who have traveled to a country you want to visit, or other tourists you meet about the water quality. Locals might state that it’s good but they could just be used to it, and the water could harm you.
Or just steer on the safe side and buy bottled water.
Choosing the best quality water for you and your family shouldn't be taken for granted. Weigh your options carefully and look for the best option available. Remember how important water is to our bodies and stay hydrated!
What's your favorite spring water? Let us know how you stay refreshed in the comments down below!
Sources:
http://www.fergon.com/who-is-most-at-risk-for-anemia/
Comments
Loading…