Mineral water: Nutritionist on how often you can drink it
Illustrative photo (Freepik)
The quantity of mineral water on store shelves has increased dramatically. The variety is striking with its bright labels. It's important to know how often you can drink mineral water, citing nutritionist Olha Barova-Abduloieva.
How to drink mineral water
Without gas and warm
According to the expert, the bubbles are carbon dioxide, which stimulates gastric secretion and bloating and can even cause pain. Cold water can cause spasms in the gastrointestinal tract and worsen digestion.
On the other hand, warm water relaxes and promotes better bile flow and intestinal peristalsis.
Between meals and in moderation
Usually, this means 1-2 glasses per day, separately from or before meals. On hot days, you can increase this to 3-4. The optimal choice for replenishing electrolytes in the heat is medicinal table water with a medium mineralization level (1-10 g/l) and a mixed composition.
You can dilute mineral water with regular water and drink it throughout the day.
Drink in courses 3-4 times a year for 2 weeks
In hot weather, you can take an extra course. Prolonged use of medicinal waters has contraindications, especially if you have gastrointestinal diseases.
How to choose mineral water
Purchase only from trusted places and in glass containers. Unfortunately, mineral waters are often counterfeited, with ordinary artificially carbonated water being sold under their guise.
Combining regular courses of mineral water with a balanced diet helps replenish summer electrolyte loss, improve bile flow, and overall increase health levels.
Types of water
Depending on the degree of mineralization (how many useful minerals are dissolved in it), there are:
- Table water (1 g/l) - drinking water for regular consumption
- Medicinal table water (1-10 g/l) - episodic use as drinking water and for preventing gastrointestinal diseases
- Medicinal water (>10 g/l) - by specialist recommendation in courses of 2-3 weeks. Usually sold in pharmacies.
By the main component type:
- Bicarbonate/alkaline waters have anti-inflammatory effects, reduce the acidity of gastric juice, and lessen heartburn. Used for urolithiasis, peptic ulcer, and gastritis.
- Chloride waters increase the secretion of gastric and intestinal juice. Contraindicated for high blood pressure.
- Sulfate waters improve intestinal peristalsis (laxative effect) and promote bile flow.
- Iron-containing waters increase hemoglobin and are used for iron deficiency and anemia.
- Magnesium waters improve the condition of the nervous system.
- Mixed composition (most mineral waters). Used for preventing gastrointestinal diseases.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
