Mineral water does more than just hydrate you. In fact, it can help support strong bones and a healthy heart, without adding any calories to your diet. Perhaps the biggest myth about mineral water is that is only available for purchase. In fact, tap water in some U.S. cities contains enough dissolved minerals to satisfy the definition of mineral water. In the United States, any bottled water labeled as mineral water must contain at least 250 parts per million of dissolved solids, with nothing added. Check the nutrition facts panel to verify what is in the water you are drinking.
Hydration
Your body loses water every day through perspiration, respiration and urination. You need to replenish this water with food and beverages. Water is the simplest way to replenish these lost fluids, because it is easily absorbed into your system and is used in nearly all cellular processes. In fact, water comprises up to 60 percent of the body weight of an adult man or woman--a simple illustration that water is essential to just about everything your body does.
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Calcium
Calcium is important for building and maintaining strong bones. Mineral-rich water contains clinically significant amounts of calcium. Researchers at McGill University published a study in 2001 in the "Journal of General Internal Medicine" concluding that mineral-rich water contains from 4 to 18 percent of the recommended daily allowance for calcium. Another group of researchers in Canada published a study in "Osteoporosis International" in 2002 concluding that the calcium in water is just as readily absorbed in your body as the calcium in foods, such as milk or other dairy products. Calcium often adds a "hard" taste and feel to water, which is why many bottled water manufacturers remove it.
Magnesium
Magnesium is also important for strong bones and cardiac health. It helps calcium bind together to form bones. Also, a number of epidemiological studies have found an inverse relationship between magnesium intake and cardiac arrythmias, ischemic heart disease and sudden death. In other words, they found that certain groups of people consuming high levels of dietary magnesium had a lower number of cases of cardiac disease than groups of people consuming lower levels of dietary magnesium. The amount of magnesium in two liters of mineral-rich water in the U.S. may range from 6 to 31% of the recommended daily allowance. Researchers found that the magnesium in water is 30% more bioavailable than magnesium in foods. In other words, given a water and food source with equivalent amounts of magnesium, your body will absorb 30 percent more magnesium from the water than the food source.
Safe and Natural
Perhaps one of the most important and appealing qualities of mineral water is in its purity. Bottled mineral water sold in the United States is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and must have at least 250 parts per million dissolved solids, collected from a natural water source. It must contain no added mineral salts. So drink up and be healthy, because mineral water is great for your health.
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/359246-why-is-mineral-water-good-for-you/#ixzz2SfcSQisg
