Why is mineral water harmful? The health benefits and harms of mineral water

The history of drinking mineral waters goes back many hundreds of years.

In ancient times, the Greeks built healing springs sanctuaries, dedicated to god Asclepius (the Romans built temples in similar places in honor of Aesculapius) - the patron of medicine. Oral traditions were passed down from generation to generation about miraculous properties waters gushing out of the ground.

The history of the study and use of mineral waters in Russia is connected with the name of Peter I, who 285 years ago ordered by his decree to look for spring waters in Russia. By his order, the first hydrotherapy resort in Russia was built on the Marcial (ferruginous) waters in the Olonets province in Karelia.

How it is formed in nature mineral water? There are different opinions about this. Nowadays, the water theory is more recognized, according to which it is generally accepted that mineral waters are formed from precipitation and other surface waters that penetrate into various layers earth's crust. During circulation in the layers of the earth's crust, various chemical substances contained in various breeds. The formation of mineral water occurs under conditions of a certain pressure and temperature without light influence. Its chemical composition and mineralization depend on what rocks and layers of the earth’s crust it passes through.

The territory of Russia and the CIS countries is especially rich in carbon dioxide mineral waters.

What are mineral waters made of and how are they classified?

By quality composition mineral waters vary for six classes: hydrocarbonate, chloride, sulfate, magnesium, ferruginous, mixed.

The benefits of mineral water with high content bicarbonates in that it improves blood supply to the mucous membrane of the stomach, intestines, liver, helps with inflammatory and infectious diseases, have a positive effect on all metabolic processes. The only pure hydrocarbonate water of its kind was Borjomi. There are no analogues of such water in Russia. But there are hydrocarbonate-calcium-magnesium waters that contain significant amount calcium and magnesium, such as “Valley of Narzans” or “Novoterskaya Healing”. They are recommended for diseases of cardio-vascular system, affect protein, fat and carbohydrate metabolism and are very useful for city residents.

Chloride waters (“Omskaya”, “Okhtinskaya”) contain mainly natural table salt. They improve performance gastrointestinal tract and secretion of digestive glands, improve food absorption.

Sulfate waters are different high content sulfates, calcium, magnesium and sodium (“Kislovodskaya”, “Spring of Health”, etc.). Treatment is like this mineral water most often taken for diseases associated with metabolism: diabetes, obesity, etc. In fact, it is very difficult to separate waters by composition, and all these groups are often written on the labels together: bicarbonate-sulfate-chloride-magnesium-sodium water. Therefore, we need to pay more attention to treatment recommendations specific diseases and consult your doctor.

According to their quantitative composition, mineral waters are divided depending on the concentration of salts:

• tablespoons (does not exceed 1 gram per liter of water)
• low-mineralized (1–2 g/l)
• medicinal table (1-10 g/l)
• low mineralization (2–5 g/l)
• medicinal (10–50 g/l)
• high mineralization (15–35 g/l)
• brine (35–150 g/l)
• strong brine (over 150 g/l).

Mineral medicinal table waters: such waters are the majority. Today, almost any water that has at least some healing effect.

Mineral healing waters, this is water with very high concentration salts - more than 8 grams per liter. There are very few such waters, among them are “Essentuki” No. 17 and “Cheboksary” No. 1. This is very salty water, which cannot simply be drunk; it is used only in medicinal purposes.

You should drink mineral water (especially at home) only as prescribed by a doctor and in strict accordance with his instructions. Many mineral waters (for example, Borjomi, Jermuk, Narzan, etc.), thanks to good taste and the ability to quench thirst, are widely used as table water and sold without restrictions in the retail chain. However, for diseases of the digestive, cardiovascular and urinary systems, as well as metabolic disorders, they should not be used without consulting a doctor. You should also not replace regular drinking water to mineral. Most beneficial influence Mineral waters drunk directly from the source have health benefits. This is explained by the fact that in this case they manifest their biological active action suborganic substances found in water: fragments of amino acids, peptides, etc. If the water stands for an hour, then these suborganic compounds decompose and their biological activity disappears.

Leading specialist-expert of OSN MRU No. 81 FMBA of Russia I.A. Kornilova

July 19, 2018

A person is 2/3 water; it is impossible to live without this liquid for even a few days, since dehydration leads to fatal outcome. Many consumers liked carbonated mineral water. Is this type of drinking harmful or beneficial? Let's try to understand everything in more detail in today's article.

What are we drinking?

Mineral water with gas is in great demand among ordinary consumers. The benefits and harms of such drinks are known to few people. How often does this happen in life? We come to the store and buy, for example, Rychal Su mineral water, the benefits and harms of which are not at all known to us. We drink with pleasure medicinal water, and then side effects appear in the form intestinal colic or nausea. It’s only at this stage that we decide to carefully study the label.

On a note! Not every one of us understands what, for example, Karachinskaya mineral water is. Its benefits and harms depend on the component composition, location of the spill, and degree of mineralization.

Modern manufacturers offer a wide range of mineral water. And now we come across the mineral water “Khankul”. The benefits and harms are unknown to us, and component composition It is not necessary to study with a list of indications and contraindications. And then we may face serious health problems.

To avoid getting into trouble and choosing mineral water by touch, let’s find out what types of drinks there are.

Classification:

• dining room;
• mineral dining room;
• medical dining room;
• medicinal.

The so-called table water is recommended for consumption by everyone without exception. The level of its mineralization is insignificant. According to the mechanism of action on the human body, such water is similar to distilled water.

And here special attention“Novoterskaya” mineral water deserves. The benefits and harms of medicinal table waters are little known to ordinary people. But in such drinks the amount of minerals can vary from 2 to 9 grams per liter of liquid.

Mineral water “Obukhovskaya” is also among the medicinal canteens. Its benefits and harms will directly depend on the amount of additives.

On a note! What can Minskaya 4 mineral water contain? The benefits and harms, as already mentioned, are related to the composition. The drink can be enriched with sodium, magnesium, salts, boron and even arsenic. Each water has its own unique composition, including Narzan. Mineral water, the benefits and harms of which are little known, is best consumed in consultation with a doctor or as prescribed.

Nabeglavi mineral water is one of the exclusively medicinal liquids. The benefits and harms of such a drink depend on the degree of mineralization and concentration of one or another chemical compound. Many people are interested in the benefits and harms of Essentuki 4 mineral water. Before consuming medicinal or exclusively medicinal drinks, carefully study the composition and list of indications.

Most parents think that best drink– this is mineral water for children. The benefits and harms in this regard are of unprecedented interest.

On a note! In addition to micro- and macroelements, purified water is saturated with carbon dioxide. Depending on the degree of carbon dioxide concentration, water can be slightly, medium and highly carbonated.

Beneficial features:

• normalization of digestive processes;
• activation of enzyme production;
• increased hemoglobin level;
• increased appetite;
• maintaining acid-base balance;
• preventing the excretion of calcium from the body;
• quenching thirst;
• diuretic effect.

As practice shows, special value For digestive tract is represented by the mineral water “Goryachiy Klyuch”. Is there any benefit or harm from drinking this? Scientists give a clear answer - only benefits, but subject to compliance existing contraindications.

Many of us liked mineral water with lemon. The benefits and harms of such a drink are not kept secret, but it should be borne in mind that the acids contained in the drink can negatively affect the level of stomach acidity in one direction or another.

Important! As a rule, the labels of medicinal and medicinal table mineral waters indicate not only the composition, but also a list of indications and existing contraindications. If you ignore this, you may face serious health problems. More better use Mineral waters for medicinal purposes should be coordinated with a specialized doctor.

Danger from drinking mineral water

By the way, we drink mineral water not only for medicinal or preventive purposes. IN Lately Especially the fair sex began to use mineral water for hair. The benefits and harms of using water in for cosmetic purposes are not so obvious. However, if you believe the reviews, rinsing your curls with mineral water makes them silky, manageable and shiny.

It's time to discuss the dangers of mineral water with gas.

Negative effects of mineral water:

• violation salt balance;
• acid-base imbalance;
• disturbance of gastric secretion;
• promoting the formation of sand and cameos in the organs of the urinary system;
• swelling.

It all depends on the degree of mineralization of the liquid. If you do not take into account existing contraindications, then instead of strengthening your health, you can significantly undermine it. Please note that the row medicinal drinks Contraindicated for people suffering from diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Important! To the number absolute contraindications include an increased level blood pressure and nephritis in chronic form.

More than half of the human body consists of water. Therefore, it is extremely important to maintain normal water balance. Doctors and nutritionists recommend drinking every day sufficient quantity liquids. It could be juice, fruit drink, coffee, mineral water. The benefits and harms of mineral water have long been discussed by society and scientists.

• natural (extracted from natural sources);
• artificial (specialists select the appropriate mineral complex and dissolve it in water).

There is also a classification by temperature:

• cold;
• subthermal;
• thermal;
• hyperthermal.

In count mineral salts Three categories of water can be distinguished:

1. dining room (suitable for everyday use);
2. medical dining room (suitable for occasional use as prophylactic against some diseases);
3. medicinal (saturated minerals, used in strictly limited quantities to treat certain diseases).

Beneficial features

Natural water is always structured the best way. Reasonable consumption of high-quality mineral water perfectly energizes the entire body, helping it, if necessary, fight viruses and infections.

The benefits of such water are explained by the unique chemical composition. From percentage components directly depend and healing characteristics. If iron predominates in the composition of mineral water, then it is indispensable for people suffering from anemia. Water with a high iodine content is useful for work disorders. Sodium helps with blood pressure surges. Therefore, the most important thing is to choose the water that will best affect your body.

If you consume mineral water in accordance with your doctor’s recommendations, you can achieve good results. Positive properties:

• improves and structures fluid at the cellular level;
• strengthens cells so they can effectively withstand any danger;
• supplies the body with essential minerals;
• strengthens the immune system;
• activates the action of enzymes;
• regulates acid-base balance;
• helps strengthen bones and tooth enamel;
• improves well-being.

Mineral water – good remedy to cleanse the body, since within a short time it is able to remove accumulated toxins and toxic substances. Many note that after a course of use their weight normalized and their metabolism improved.

Since mineral water perfectly increases general tone body, then nutritionists and doctors recommend drinking this water during intense physical and mental stress. At the same time, it normalizes blood pressure and has a strengthening effect on blood pressure.

If mineral water is slightly heated, it will have a good anti-inflammatory effect, reduce painful sensations, will eliminate stomach cramps. It also dilutes the contents of the gallbladder well and promotes the outflow of bile. Doctors recommend drinking mineral water as an addition to fasting days.

Mineral water with gas

In the vast majority of cases, stores and supermarkets sell sparkling mineral water. The benefits of carbonated mineral water are obvious if consumed in moderation. It copes well with the feeling of thirst and is very refreshing. Fixed good results when drinking mineral soda after meals. It promotes faster digestion of food, as it improves the production gastric juice.

But in some cases bubbles carbon dioxide contribute to increased acidity and flatulence, so people with gastrointestinal problems and young children should refrain from drinking such water. In principle, it is very simple to free water from gas: you need to shake the bottle well several times and leave it open.

Harm and possible side effects

It doesn't hurt to be careful when drinking mineral water. It should not be used as a regular regular drink, since an excessive amount of it may not only not bring the expected benefit, but also cause serious harm. It is best to drink mineral water in the heat, with serious physical activity, that is, when there is a danger of dehydration and loss healthy salts.

Mineral water is often used as medicine, so constant use is fraught with overdose. It is advisable to drink this water in courses. Drinking plenty of mineral water leads to an increase in salts in the human body. And this, in turn, negatively affects the kidneys and joints.

The main thing is to monitor the body’s reaction. If after drinking mineral water your hands shake, your blood pressure jumps, your heartbeat, it means something is wrong. Insomnia and excessive nervousness can also be side effects. You should stop taking it immediately and seek medical advice as soon as possible. qualified assistance.

Mineral natural water bottled with virtually no human hands. Everything is done by special automatic machines. Therefore, it is difficult to monitor the conditions of its extraction, storage and transportation. Long-term transportation is also harmful, as it destroys liquid crystals and water loses its beneficial features. There are frequent cases of poisoning with such poor quality water.

How to drink mineral water correctly

Many people are interested in how much mineral water can be drunk per day without harm to the body. If you drink table mineral water, then the optimal amount for the body is 500 ml. But if you have diseases of the stomach, kidneys or joints, you should not even start trying this water without first consulting a doctor. Drink medicinal table and medicinal water exactly as much as the doctor prescribes.

The time of use depends on the nature of the disease. It is often recommended to drink mineral water before meals. The course of application is no more than 1.5 months. The temperature of the water used also plays an important role.

The benefits and harms of mineral water correlate approximately one to one. Everything is useful in moderation. By listening to your own body and taking into account the authoritative recommendations of experts, this measure can be determined without much difficulty.

But also an irreplaceable source of nutrients for women's health and beauty.

It is not without reason that many information sources trumpet that you need to drink at least 2 liters of mineral water daily. So what are the benefits of mineral water?

What type of mineral water is there?

First of all, you need to remember that all mineral water is divided into three types depending on the volume of salts in it.
Water with a salt content of less than 500 mg/l is table mineral water, which can be drunk as much as you like, and can also be used for cooking and various drinks. Drinking mineral water is absolutely harmless and has no contraindications, but its therapeutic effect is not so noticeable. Table mineral water has beneficial influence on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, activates metabolic processes in the body, promotes the removal of toxins.

Water with a salt content of 500 to 1000 mg/l is medicinal table water. It is recommended to drink it in limited quantities - then it will have beneficial effect on the body. But if you abuse medicinal table water without existing indications, then health problems may arise in the form of an imbalance in the salt balance in the body, exacerbation chronic diseases.

Finally, water with a salt content of more than 1000 mg/l is medicinal mineral water, which is consumed exclusively for medical reasons, with the permission of the attending physician.

Mineral water can also be sparkling or still. It is recommended to give preference still water, and in the purchased “soda” release the gases before consumption.

Properties of "mineral water"

Mineral water is rich useful substances, contains iron, calcium, sodium, magnesium, fluorine, bicarbonates. Treatment with mineral water is common various diseases gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, colitis), liver, gall bladder, pancreas. The use of mineral water is indicated for overweight, high cholesterol, constipation, diabetes mellitus, anemia.

Mineral water is used not only for drinking. Recently, for inhalation in the treatment of diseases respiratory tract Nebulizers are used - it is in them that mineral water is used. Are effective mineral baths at various balneological resorts and spa salons. Mineral water is used for gastric lavage and microenemas. Nowadays, oral irrigators are popular, effectively treating it with a special liquid diluted in mineral water.

How to drink mineral water correctly?

The benefits of mineral water largely depend on its correct use. So, with normal stomach acidity, mineral water should be drunk 30 minutes before meals, with low acidity - 10 minutes, and with high acidity - an hour and a half, after releasing gases. And for diseases of the liver and gall bladder, it is recommended to drink mineral water half an hour after eating.

Before drinking medicinal mineral water, you should consult your doctor. After all, different mineral waters have different chemical compositions and may be indicated for use depending on the underlying disease.

Thus, sulfide mineral water reduces the secretion of gastric juice, lowering its acidity, and chloride water, on the contrary, increases secretion. For the treatment of anemia, water enriched with iron is indicated, and for neuroses - with bromine. Important The temperature of mineral water also matters: for some people water at room temperature is indicated, but for others hot mineral water is useful. Therefore, only a doctor can help you determine which mineral water is best for you.

Mineral water for cosmetic purposes

The properties of mineral water are also used in home cosmetology. Washing with mineral water helps moisturize and nourish the skin, and the elements it contains make the skin soft and tender, improve blood circulation, and reduce allergic reactions.

For washing, use still mineral water or carbonated water with released gases. You can freeze mineral water and use ice cubes or for washing. You can also make homemade tonics and face masks using mineral water.

Contraindications for treatment with mineral water

The properties of mineral water are not always useful. It should not be drunk during exacerbation of chronic diseases, vomiting, diarrhea, pain in the stomach and intestines.

When drinking mineral water, you should also consider individual tolerance. The human body may react inadequately to mineral water: insomnia, pressure surges, arrhythmia, hand tremors, and excessive nervousness. These symptoms are a reason to stop taking mineral water and consult a doctor.

The benefits of mineral water are invaluable - it is only important to use it correctly and not neglect the advice of doctors. Be healthy!

Our body is mostly made up of liquid, which is why maintaining water balance is a daily task for every person. Exchange processes in the cells of our body occur only in the presence of the proper amount of water. But we consume liquid in different types- like tea, coffee, various juices, soda and mineral water. But how useful are such substitutes? Next, we will look at the harms and benefits of mineral water.

Most often it is sold carbonated in stores. The pleasant bubbles are made of carbon dioxide. By itself, it is harmless, but when consumed with water, it actively stimulates gastric secretion, which causes bloating in the intestines and increases acidity. If a person suffers from peptic ulcers, gastritis with increased level acidity or is simply prone to flatulence, then it is not recommended for him to drink mineral water with gas. To remove carbon dioxide from the water, shake the bottle and leave it open for a while.

If it's hot outside, try making a great refreshing drink that will quickly and effectively quench your thirst. Take one and a half liters of mineral water, freshly squeezed juice from one lemon and one orange, as well as a pinch of sugar and salt. Mix all ingredients, pour into a bottle and refrigerate.

In fact, mineral water was originally intended for medicinal purposes. And it would be absolutely correct that it be sold only in pharmacies and does not contain carbon dioxide. For daily consumption A product with a low mineralization density is suitable. However, it can be used only during active sweating, stable physical activity, which is accompanied by a significant loss of salts.

Artificial and natural mineral water can be equivalent only if the mineral complex was selected by specialists, and the mineralization itself was carried out using high-quality equipment, carbon dioxide and salts were well dissolved in the water.

Now there is no reliable and accurate information about the amount of mineral water that you can drink per day without negative consequences for health, there are also no instructions regarding its quality indicators. It should also be remembered that for some diseases, consumption of this product is strictly contraindicated or undesirable.

In addition, you need to follow a few tips: do not drink mineral water regularly. Use it only when your body needs salts - during stress, heat, dyspepsia. Remember to read labels carefully, giving preference to high-quality water with natural mineralization.

Mineral water, like any other medicine, can lead to an overdose if taken continuously. If you are susceptible to any serious illnesses Be sure to consult your doctor before using it.

Natural water is especially useful for the human body, as it is structured and can replace liquid with destroyed structures in our cells. If it enters the body constantly, this allows it to recharge itself energetically and cope with problems on its own. various infections and foci of pathologies.

But be careful, some mineral solutions can be very harmful. You should not get carried away with water containing the radioactive substances radon and hydrogen sulfide, as they lead to the development of many side effects.

Medicinal mineral water can only be consumed as a course, and its intake must be under the supervision of a doctor. Since this product was bottled at industrial enterprise, no one knows whether it was mined correctly, how it was stored and transported. Poor quality water can lead to severe poisoning. Long-term transportation leads to the fact that the crystals in the structured liquid are destroyed, and it becomes completely useless.

Excess mineral water in the diet leads to an overdose of salts in the body, and this can provoke the development of gallstones or urolithiasis, gout and various salt deposits in all joints.

It is especially harmful to use mineral water as a hangover cure and drink strong drinks with it. alcoholic drinks. If a liquid with carbon dioxide and various salts is mixed with alcohol, this provokes certain biochemical reactions V human body which may cause irreversible damage in metabolic processes.

The constant supply of carbon dioxide irritates the gastric walls, which can lead to the formation of erosions and ulcers. The secretion of gastric juice increases, the stomach stretches, and gas causes belching. Along with the remaining gas, a certain amount enters the esophagus. Gastric acid, which has a bad effect on his condition and causes heartburn.

Too cold mineral water, having high rate carbon dioxide, can begin a gas formation reaction as soon as it finds itself in the warm and acidic environment of the stomach. And this can provoke rupture of the esophagus and perforation of the ulcer.

Doctors assure that you should not drink more than half a liter of mineral water per day. If you complain of any diseases, the advisability of taking it should be discussed with qualified specialist.

So, mineral water can be useful if you use it when necessary and know when to stop.