Mineral Water

Origin:

Mineral water has its origin in underground water reservoirs that are protected from pollution. When it rains, parts of the rainwater seep into the underground. During its journey through layers of gravel, pebble and sand, it is filtered and cleaned. Depending on the nature of the underground, that process may take several centuries. The different layers of rock do not only serve as a filter, as the water also leaches minerals and trace elements from those rocks. The minerals and trace elements give the mineral water its distinct taste.

In order to protect its natural purity until consumption, the mineral water is bottled directly at the spring and only a few steps of treatment are allowed.

"Allowed Methods of Treatment":

• Removal of iron and sulphur for appearance and taste reasons
• Removal or adding of carbonic acid

Minerals and Trace Elements:

A human secrets about 2.5 litres of water per day. He or she not only loses water, but also minerals and trace elements, which have to be replaced just like the water.

Like vitamins, minerals and trace elements are essential substances that have to be taken in with the daily food in sufficient amounts, as the human body can’t produce them itself. Minerals serve as building blocks for the tissue and the skeleton in the body, and they take care of the smooth running of the metabolism. In very small amounts, the body also needs trace elements, which are necessary for almost all metabolic processes.

Only the Best Is Good Enough:

Simply for the very reason that mineral water not only is a superb quencher of thirst, but also helps to balance the housekeeping of minerals, it has experienced an exceptional rise within the last three decades. Last year, each Austrian statistically consumed 84.6 litres of mineral water and so Austria is in 7th place in Europe with respect to the per capita consumption of mineral water.

Not everybody might know that natural mineral water is a term protected by the law. As a result, only water that complies with certain prerequisites may be called mineral water.

Natural Mineral Water

• Mineral water has to originate from underground water reservoirs.
• Mineral water has to be of original purity.
• The water has to be bottled directly at the spring.
• An official approval is necessary.

For consumer safety, the quality of the mineral water is permanently monitored: by business internal labs, independent institutions and by food controllers, who even take samples in supermarkets.

Components:

Magnesium and Potassium:

Without doubt, magnesium and potassium are the most important components in mineral water. Magnesium is involved in many metabolic reactions. It activates enzymes needed for energy generation and takes care that nervous impulses are passed on to the muscles. Permanent stress puts a strain on the magnesium reservoir of the body, but too much sport may cause a lack of magnesium as well. The same is true for all people who are constantly on medication. A severe lack of magnesium shows in weak muscles, tremors and sometimes cramps.

Potassium influences cell growth and lowers the blood pressure.

Calcium strengthens the bones and is contained in milk and milk products as well.

Sodium is especially important for athletes, as in addition to liquid, a lot of sodium chloride is also lost during sweating.