Bottled waters come in many different
varieties like distilled, purified, spring, but
what's the difference? They're all pretty
much the same thing, right? Not exactly.
Believe it or not, various types of bottled
water differ in content, and actually have
distinctive tastes due to their origin and the
way they are manufactured and processed.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
is responsible for regulating the safety of
bottled water, checking for bacteria,
chemicals and other contaminants that may
be present. The FDA is also responsible for
monitoring and inspecting the processing
plants where bottled water is manufactured,
their water source and sanitary conditions.
While it is safe to assume that most bottled
water is safe to drink, the taste and content
of certain types of bottled water may be the
determining factor of which type is right for
you. Here is an explanation of the various
types of bottled water that may help you
decide which type you would prefer.
SPRING WATER
Spring water is probably one of the most
recognized forms of bottled water available.
When a manufacturer calls its water, "spring
water," it is making the claim that the source
of its water is from an underground
formation where water naturally flows to
the earth's surface. Not all bottled water
should be considered spring water.
According to the FDA, spring water may be
collected at the spring directly, or through a
bored hole that removes the water from the
spring's source underground. Bottled
waters derived by other methods, like
purified tap-water, are not the same as
spring water, and may differ in taste. Spring
water may also contain beneficial nutrients
likecalcium, potassium and fluoride, which
also affect the taste.
MINERAL WATER
Mineral water is similar to spring water,
containing minerals and other dissolved
substances. Mineral water comes from
natural, spring sources, and is typically
bottled at the source. According to the FDA,
bottled water is classified as mineral water
when it contains at least 250 parts per
million total dissolved solids, and its level
and relative proportions of mineral and
trace elements are present directly from the
source. In other words, minerals cannot be
added to bottled water to obtain a mineral
water classification.
SPARKLING WATER
A distinctive type of bottled water is
sparkling water, known for its bubbles and
fizz. This type of bottled water contains
carbon dioxide that has been dissolved,
creating carbonation. Sparkling, or
carbonated, water is often recognized as
the main ingredient for sodas. Tonic water
is a type of sparkling water, with an added
ingredient ofquinine, and is often used in
mixed drinks. Sparkling water can have the
same attributes as other types of water, like
spring or mineral, depending on the water's
source, and it is common to see various
types of sparkling water such as sparkling
spring water, sparkling drinking water or
sparkling mineral water.
DISTILLED WATER
Bottled water that has been distilled does
not contain the same impurities of other
types of water. Distilled water involves a
process where the water being distributed
is boiled, with the steam being condensed
in a clean container, neutralizing any
harmful bacteria or substances. Distilled
water tends to be much cleaner than other
types of water, with the distillation process
being more effective than conventional
filtration systems for water purification.
However, a negative factor regarding
distilled water is the lack of healthy minerals
typically found in other types of water, as
they too, are eliminated with any harmful
contents during the distillation process.
DEIONIZED WATER
Deionized water, also referred to as
demineralized water, is similar to distilled
water, where unwanted impurities are
eliminated through the removal of mineral
ions. Deionized water is also similar to
distilled water in that nutrients beneficial to
the body, like calcium, are also removed
during the purification process. Both
deionized water and distilled water fall
under the category of "purified" water.
FLAVORED OR NUTRIENT-ADDED WATER
Flavored or nutrient-added waters are
appealing for giving plain, bottled water a
little taste plus the added benefits of
vitamins and minerals. This type of bottled
water is often advertised as being a great
alternative to sugar-filled soft drinks and
juices. While this may be the case for some
brands, it is important to read the nutrition
label to determine whether the nutritional
content of the water outweighs the amount
of sugar it contains. Some flavored water
brands, that claim to be healthier than
sodas, tend to have surprisingly high sugar
content, negating the amount of vitamins
and minerals they provide. As opposed to
other types of bottled water, flavor or
nutrient-added water also contain calories,
though not as much when compared to
other sugar-filled beverages available.