The Three Different Kinds Of Water: Tap Filtered And Bottled
Before we get into the best bottled water brands, lets break down the three basic choices you have when it comes to drinking water: straight from the tap, filtered from the tap, or in a purchased bottle. While bottled water may offer you more glamorous-sounding choices and make you feel more in control of the quality of the water youre drinking, it has some serious drawbacks.
First off, it contributes to the major environmental problem of plastic waste. Plus, youre likely ingesting microplastics if its in a soft plastic bottle, and there is very little regulation about what goes into bottled water, so you dont really know what youre drinking. A 2018 study of 259 plastic bottled water brands showed 90% had microplastics in the water the lowest levels were in San Pellegrino , followed by Evian . Another 2018 study that tested 19 bottled water brands for microplastics found that Boxed Water, Fiji, Ozarka, and Evian had the highest levels of contamination. How could Evian be on the better end in one study and the worse end in another? The level of microplastics differed from bottle to bottle, not just brand to brand.
Tap water, on the other hand, allows you to avoid plastic and help out the planet by using a glass or a reusable water bottle. The drawback, of course, is that tap water will always have certain contaminants, which vary depending on where you live.
Downsides Of Certain Types Of Water
There can be downsides to certain types of water.
All water, regardless of whether its bottled or from the tap, carries a risk of becoming contaminated at the source. The contaminants can be either harmless or potentially harmful pathogens like E. coli, which can cause severe gastrointestinal illness .
If your tap water comes from a municipal water source, its likely monitored and regularly tested for the presence of pathogens. However, if your tap water comes from a private well, you may need to hire an agency to regularly conduct a quality test .
Contaminated bottled water will be subject to recalls from the FDA.
A downside to consider relating to bottled water is the generation of large amounts of single-use plastic waste. Oftentimes, its unnecessary if you have access to safe tap water.
Lastly, bottled water generally also comes at a higher price point than tap water.
Thus, if you live somewhere with safe tap water, opting to drink this instead of bottled water can cut down both your expenses and how much plastic waste you generate.
Summary
There are several different types of drinking water, but all are essentially equally healthy. All drinking water carries some risk of becoming contaminated. Bottled water produces single-use plastic waste and may be more expensive.
Are Certain Types Of Water Healthier Than Others
Most drinking water in the United States is safe.
Drinking water standards are tightly regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency and bottled water is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration .
While there may be slight differences in the taste and mineral content of different types of water, for the most part, theyre equally healthy.
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What Ph Says About The Quality Of A Bottled Water
The pH of water varies in the United States. For instance, water from New York City is more likely to have a lower pH than water in the Nevada desert, which tends to have a high pH level. This means that the pH of your bottled water may depend on its origin. It could also be because of the way the water was treated before being bottled. Manufacturers use many filtering and processing methods to achieve the unique taste and composition of their bottled water.
Bottled water from a high pH source may require additional purification because the high pH reduces the effectiveness of the chlorine used to disinfect the water. Beyond that, the pH of bottled water can be affected by factors such as the bedrock composition of the water source, the presence of cleaning agents or chemical detergents in the water, and the way the water is treated prior to bottling.
Top 10 Best Bottled Water Brands That Do Much More Than Just Thirst
Bottled water has significantly changed the public perception of drinking water ever since its introduction in the seventeenth-century Europe. Bottling of water first began in the UK at the Holy Well, which is located on the Malvern Hills and is believed to be the worlds oldest commercial bottling plant.
Bottled water is plain drinking water generally packaged in single-serve bottles made of 100% recyclable PET plastic. However, manufacturers are coming up with more eco-friendly alternatives to plastic bottles such as glass bottles, paper bottles, ceramic bottles, and plant-based plastic bottles owing to rising concerns around the health and environmental impact of these bottles. The mostly widely available types include mineral water, purified water, spring water, and artesian water, each of which offers a number of health benefits. The global market for bottled water is thriving, with considerable growth in revenue over the last few years. Increasing awareness about the product benefits, rising demand for premium bottled water, and increasing income levels of consumers are driving market growth to a significant extent.
To understand how our Bottled Water Market can bring difference to your business strategy:–
Some Common Applications of Bottled Water
Here are some of the best bottled water brands that will not only quench your thirst, but also endow you with amazing health benefitsAquafina
Evian
Fiji Water
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An Ideal Air Travel Companion: Camelbak Podium
Lids available: squeeze lidDishwasher safe: yes
Get this if: You want a travel bottle. This bottle was invented for a bike cage, but a regular ol squeeze bottle is useful for so many things, specifically airport travel. Eve personally owns just two types of water bottle, and this is one of them.
Why its great: Basic, lightweight, and cheap, a bike squeeze bottle makes a great travel companion, and we like the CamelBak Podium in particular. It has a twist lockwhich provides extra assurance that the bottle is tightly closed when you toss it in a bag. Plus, its dishwasher safe.
For years, we looked for a reliable collapsible travel bottle, but weve been disappointed so many times: The Hydaway tastes plasticky, the Vapur and the Platypus collapse , the HydraPak flops, and the Nomader doesnt pack down very small. And the implied way to carry a travel bottle correctlyclipped to a backpack or belt loopalways leaves them swinging around haphazardly, in our experience. Weve recommended all of these bottles in the past, but weve constantly been left wishing there were a better way.
Water From Natural Sources Contains Electrolytes
The big reason why water from natural sources is best is because it contains electrolytes such as magnesium, calcium, and potassium, which our bodies need. “These minerals are part of the processes involved in energy production and structure,” Brown says. “Calcium is not only beneficial for building strong bones, but helps with muscle contractions along with magnesium. This means your body can perform better under all kinds of stress, both physical and mental.”
While we get a lot of these minerals from our food, Brown adds that the average American is not reaching adequate intake levels of these micronutrients. “This is an opportunity for them to consume a beverage that doesn’t infuse these electrolytes with added sugars and calories,” she says. “Depending on the brand, mineral water can contribute between 25 percent of the daily recommended intakes.”
Plus, not only are the minerals dissolved in water good for you, but they also make the water taste better. Yes, different waters have different tastes. “I am fascinated that depending where the water is coming from, and from which stone layers the water extracted the minerality, you can taste the region or what wine lovers would say, the terroir,” Riese says.
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What Are The Different Types Of Bottled Water
The first thing you have to know is that there are various kinds of bottled water and these are not directly comparable to one another. The International Bottled Water Association provides the following description of different water types on their website:
The International Bottled Water Association website states :
The FDA has established a bottled water Standard of Identity to define the several different types of bottled water based on specific characteristics of the product. Bottled water products meeting the Standard of Identity may be labeled as bottled water or drinking water, or one or more of the following terms:
Spring Water – Bottled water derived from an underground formation from which water flows naturally to the surface of the earth. Spring water must be collected only at the spring or through a borehole tapping the underground formation feeding the spring. Spring water collected with the use of an external force must be from the same underground stratum as the spring and must have all the physical properties before treatment, and be of the same composition and quality as the water that flows naturally to the surface of the earth
Sparkling Bottled Water – Water that after treatment, and possible replacement with carbon dioxide, contains the same amount of carbon dioxide that it had as it emerged from the source. Sparkling bottled waters may be labeled as “sparkling drinking water,” “sparkling mineral water,” “sparkling spring water,” etc.
Which Water Brand Is Healthiest
The EWG , an organization dedicated to protecting human health and the environment, has classified bottled water companies based on the transparency with which they disclose information about their water sources, access to water quality analysis reports, and water treatment methods.
According to the EWG, Nestle Pure Life Water, Gerber Pure Purified Water, and PENTA Ultra-Purified Water are the leaders in bottled water with the most transparent labels .
Just because you drink bottled water does not mean you are getting contamination-free water. In fact, some bottled water brands use municipal water sources, meaning the water comes straight from the tap.
It can be daunting to determine the source of bottled water unless stated on the label.
The EPA states that:
- well and artesian water comes from underground wells
- spring water is collected as it moves to the surface.
- mineral water is groundwater that contains certain amounts of minerals
- distilled water is the condensed steam from boiling water
Bottled water is often filtered to remove harmful amounts of microbes and contaminants. However, the Environmental Protection Agency notes that bottled water, like tap water, often contains at least small amounts of certain contaminants.
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What Are The Different Categories Of Bottled Water
Different categories of bottled drinking water usually represent different sources or purification methods. In some cases, there are additives as well.
Spring Water
Spring water is sourced from underground springs. However, because its source is a natural spring, this doesnt mean the water is pure and free of contaminants. In fact, like water from any source, to be safe for drinking or cooking, spring water needs to be filtered or distilled.
Filtered Water
This is water that has gone through enough filtrationoften involving more than one type of filteruntil it tests free of contaminants. You can either use a home water filter or buy your water in bottles, already filtered.
Distilled Water
Distilled water is the condensed steam of water thats been heated to a boil. Its collected in a container separate from the one in which the water was boiled.
Even though people are advised to boil water when the water supply has been contaminated, boiling is not the equivalent to distillation for water purification.
Essentia Bottled Water 1 Liter
Essentia Bottled Water, 1 Liter, Pack of 12 Bottles 99.9% Pure, Infused with Electrolytes for a Smooth Taste, pH 9.5 or Higher Ionized Alkaline Water
When you are purchasing the Essentia bottled water, you can choose between the 1liter bottle or the 1,5bottle water. However, you can only purchase it in a pack of 12 bottles, or you can purchase just one separate bottle. This isnt just normal water it is ionized alkaline water. Making it great for better hydration.
Three things are making the Essentia bottled water better than other bottled water. The purification that is making the water 99,9% pure, the electrolytes that are infused with the water, and the ionization that is making the water taste better. The 12bottle pack that you can purchase makes sure that you always have stock of the water. Ready to drink when you need it.
The bottle that the water comes in is safe and recyclable plastic. Making this a great choice for the environment as well. The water has a 9,5 pH factor, and it is infused with electrolytes. Know to be the water that is energizing you as well as keeping you hydrated when doing any activity. Their three step purification process is ensuring that the water is clean and completely free from any gems or chemicals.
Why we love it
What We Dont Like
- Can only buy 1liter bottles, not smaller
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Top Bottled Water Brands: The Good Bad And The Ugly
Some of the top bottled water brands in 2020 could be hiding something. Whether it be bad consumer practices or poor quality water, heres what you need to know.
Have you ever purchased bottled water and, upon opening it, felt it tasted like, well, something you shouldnt have had to pay good money to drink? Maybe next time you should spring for one of the top bottled water brands instead?
You thought you were getting top-rated water when you probably would have done better just to drink water from your kitchen sink.
Wait, though. What if the water you drank were one of the top bottled water brands?
In this article, well help you navigate the complex and sometimes deceptive world of bottled water so that, hopefully, youll be a wiser consumer
Acqua Panna Natural Spring Water
The water is sourced from a natural spring in Italy which gives it a unique distinction of being a top pick for use in cooking. Another point in its favor is that the Acqua Panna water bottles are all made from BPA-free plastic.
No other ingredients or chemicals are added to the water during the bottling process. This gives the bottled water a unique yet very refreshing taste that is very easy to drink.
- It is completely natural spring water.
- There are no other ingredients added to it.
- It is imported from Italy.
- Has the signature taste of natural spring water.
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How Do Tap Water And Bottled Water Regulations Compare
Tap water from public water systems is regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The Minnesota Department of Health regularly tests public tap water for safety. The EPA requires the results of this testing to be made available to the public. The EPA also requires information about potential health effects of drinking water contaminants, the source of the water, and compliance with regulations to be made public.
Bottled water is regulated as a food product by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration . The FDA does not require bottled water companies to use certified laboratories for water quality testing or to report test results. The FDA does require bottled water labels to list ingredients and nutritional information.
Ten Alkaline Spring Water: Ph Level 10
Which water has the highest pH? TEN Alkaline Spring Water, with a pH of 10. TEN Water is rich with electrolytes and sourced in the eastern U.S. from springs in the Great Appalachian Valley. Its at the top of the pH range for bottled waters and tested to hold its high pH in the bottle for a minimum of 2 years. TEN Water is also the only 10 pH water sourced from spring water, not from a municipal source. TEN is sold in grocery stores across the U.S. and is available in Half Liter, 1 Liter, 1.5 Liter and 1 Gallon bottles, as well as 12 ounce aluminum cans. If you are looking for bottled water with the highest pH, look no further.
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Mountain Valley Spring Water
The story behind Mountain Valley Spring Water is that it originally comes from a fresh spring in Arkansas US. It has been quenching thirsts since 1871.
Apart from this unique pedigree, it is reported to have been the favourite of celebrities. For instance, presidents like Eisenhower and legends like Elvis Presley.
It apparently takes 3,500 years for rain water to make its way to the aquifer, as a result, this water naturally has high a pH, which is supposed to help neutralize high acidity in the body.
It was by far the most favourite among the testers who took part in the original Thrillist experiment and having tasted it myself, I agree with them.
What does Mountain Valley Spring Water taste like? It does have a rich, luxurious feel with slight hints of sweetness and bursts full of minerals as you would expect from water that has been filtered through a geological treasure.
Score: 7.7
The Wellbe Takeaway: What To Remember About The Healthiest Bottled Water
It can be easy to get bogged down in all the flashy terms and different kinds of water outlined above, but, ultimately, water doesnt need to be that complicated. Just keep a few key points in mind to keep your body properly hydrated with the right kind of water:
Hopefully this guide has helped you wrap your head around all the different kinds of water out there, and will allow you to confidently purchase the healthiest bottled water next time you find yourself out and about and in need or a drink.
What do you nominate as the best bottled water brand? Weve shared ours below, and want you to share yours in the comments!
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