Water should be a daily component of every person's diet - but what kind should you drink? Mineral, medicinal, table water - different types offer different benefits for the body. It is worth knowing them and consciously choosing the best one, especially in summer, when proper hydration is so important for healthy functioning.
Different types of water
Store shelves are full of plastic and glass bottles, containing various types of water. Among them, the most popular are mineral waters, which - as the name suggests - provide the body with important nutrients and naturally occurring minerals. Medicinal waters are less common. Table waters, on the other hand, are an excellent complement to the daily diet.
Selected types of drinking water also have a slightly different taste, aroma, or color. Specialists in this life-giving fluid can recognize types by their unique characteristics, tasting them like sommeliers. They fill elegant and clear water glasses, then evaluate them organoleptically! So, what is the difference between mineral, medicinal, and table waters?
Mineral waters full of health
Popular mineral waters are valued by dietitians for their abundance of nutrients. They can be lightly, medium, or highly mineralized - depending on how much calcium, magnesium, sodium, or potassium they contain. This, in turn, is related to the source from which they are extracted. Additionally, some mineral waters may contain carbon dioxide. So sometimes delicate bubbles - just like trace elements usually - can be completely natural!
The degree of mineralization is the result of a natural filtration process through rocks and underground deposits, which gives the water specific health properties. When choosing from different types of mineral waters, it is good to pay attention to your own deficiencies. Regularly reaching for a glass of water, filled with magnesium or calcium, can be a great support for your health!
Medicinal waters - types
Among the different types of water, there are also medicinal waters, also known as thermal waters. They have special health-promoting properties and are used, for example, for rehabilitation purposes. Spas, thermal baths, and sanatoriums were once built around their sources, and thanks to the water, the sanatoriums were often given the nickname "spring" in their names.
What distinguishes medicinal waters, extracted from thermal springs, is their unique chemical composition. They contain minerals, sulfur compounds, mineral salts, and other substances that have a positive effect on the body. They are mainly used in sanatoriums to treat ailments, e.g., rheumatic, as well as respiratory, skin, or other conditions, according to doctor's recommendations.
Table waters
In addition to mineral waters and medicinal waters, there are also table waters. They have a different mineral composition and differ in the acquisition process: to produce them, natural spring water and filtered tap water are combined.
Table water has fewer minerals and mineral salts – it is more neutral in terms of nutrients, but also taste. It is therefore excellent for people who do not like mineral water. It is also great as an ingredient in lemonades or frozen into ice cubes. To make it a bit more expressive, when serving table water in a carafe or jug, you can add slices of citrus or sprigs of herbs.
The healthiest water for everyday use
So what is the healthiest water? The one that is consumed regularly! Each type of water has specific properties and a distinctive taste that may or may not be appealing. The most important thing is to drink it in the right amount every day.