Water, Water Everywhere… But Which Kind Should You Drink?

Health experts constantly harp on about the benefits of drinking a large amount of water, but are there actually any benefits to drinking bottled water over tap water? 

Generally, water is water. No matter what the type, any kind of bottled or tap water will rehydrate the body effectively. However, if you are interested in the health benefits and what you may be buying by the bottle, here are a few handy facts.

Recent studies have actually smashed the myth that drinking bottled water is better than tap water. Water of the bottled variety, it seems, is more likely to be contaminated, or to be a source of infection. Bottled water does not go through the same stringent testing process as tap water and therefore would not have disinfecting additives, like chlorine. Also, realistically drinking tap water is going to save you a whole lot of money.

All bottled waters are usually labelled as “spring” water but that is not always necessarily the case.  

1. Spring Water

In order for spring water to be labelled as such, it must be collected from a spring. If the collection process uses some type of some external force, the water must still originate in the same area as the spring. It must also contain the physical properties that flows from the spring and retain the quality. More often than not, spring water is the one you were aiming for.

2. Purified Water

This type of water has gone through a distilling process and basically means the bacteria has been removed. Many bottled water brands are usually purified drinking water. However, this is generally the process that tap water also undergoes. Realistically, most bottled water than is probably the same as tap.

3. Mineral Water

Mineral water can come from a natural spring, but must contain a certain amount of trace minerals. These are essentially good for your health, like calcium and magnesium. Contrary to popular belief, there is no difference between still and sparkling mineral water except for the inclusion of carbon dioxide. This is a more expensive bottled water type and can taste a little harsher, but is available in flavoured varieties.

In Ireland, the average person now drinks 45 litres of bottle water a year, according to the Irish Examiner. Sales of bottled water in Ireland are now worth €318 million.

So the result is pretty obvious, unless it’s mineral water, the tap is a better option. Otherwise, it's just a waste of money.