FAQ

Numerous studies have revealed that dieters often mistake the bodies need for water as hunger pangs. It has been proved that just one glass of water can markedly reduce hunger pangs and drinking water has been shown to help dieters to cut down on the amount of food they consume.

Which water?

Water contains a variety of minerals of which some of these are good for health but others are detrimental.

Mineral Water?

As the name suggests mineral water contains various minerals and trace elements. The procedure to measure these minerals and elements is through the evaporation of a litre of water at 180 degrees C and then counting the residue.

A persons health is impacted in a variety of ways by these minerals. People often mistakenly believe all the minerals found in mineral water have a positive impact on their bodies. It is correct that calcium, chloride, potassium and sulphate are often present in mineral water yet whether one receives the benefits of these minerals from drinking mineral water is questionable. The calcium, chloride, potassium and sulphate found in mineral water are inorganic and therefore they cannot be absorbed by the body.

There are no scientific studies that show mineral waters have significantly beneficial effects on ones health. It is worthy to note that in the in the United States of America advertising mineral water as beneficial for your health is forbidden. Furthermore other minerals and trace elements found in mineral water such as aluminum are in fact thought to be harmful. A list is given below of the minerals and other elements found in mineral water to give a more comprehensive guide to these elements in order to enable you to learn and judge for yourselves the benefits of mineral water.

Aluminum (Al)

Aluminium has been thought to cause Alzheimers disease. Arsenic (As) Arseinc is a metal which is grey in color and is poisonous. If arsenic comes in contact with the skin it often burns and itches the skin. Abnormal functioning of the heart, nerves, liver and kidney, vomiting, nausea and damage to blood vessels are just some of the effects if arsenic is taken internally. Furthermore it can lead to skin and lung cancer and even death.

Borondioxyde (BO2-)

Boron is essential in enabling the body to benefit from calcium to build bones, grow tooth enamel and stop tooth decay.

Bromine (Br-)

Calcium (Ca++)

Calcium regulates hormone secretion and enables muscle activity and the transmission of nerve signals and is used in enzyme production and to build bones and teeth. It is recommended that one should have a daily allowance of 800mg-1000mg. Young people and pregnant women should have a greater amount of approximately 1200mg. Nervousness, pale and sweaty skin, vomiting and cramps are often a result of a lack of calcium. If one does not receive enough calcium the risk of high blood pressure and heart attacks are also increased. A deficiency in calcium over a long period of time may lead to osteoporosis. It is however possible to have too much calcium. Weight loss, constipation and irregular heart beating are signs that one has an oversupply of calcium.

Chloride (Cl-)

Chlorine combined with sodium makes salt. Although lots of salt is unhealthy too little salt can also be unhealthy. Chlorine and sodium maintain osmotic pressure in the cells and chloride and plays a vital role in digestion. It is recommended that everyone should have a daily allowance of between 1700mg to 5100mg. A deficiency of chlorine can cause diarrhea and sometimes stunted growth.

Cobalt (Co)

Cobalt is a trace mineral which prevents and repairs nerve damages. Combined with vitamin B12 it forms cobalamin, which can help treat anemia and mend the myelin sheath.

Carbondioxyde (CO2)

Carbondioxyde is the substance which aids in keeping the water clean and brings the water a fresh and sparkling taste. It enables the body to absorb alcohol and causes the individual to get drunk faster.

Chromium (Cr-)

It is a trace mineral often linked with lifespan and diabetes. A study involving rats revealed that when the rats were given chromium regularly they lived up to as much as three times as long. Chromium also plays an important part in the regulation of sugar. Be wary of sugared drinks as they can lower the level of chromium.

Copper (Cu++)

Copper is a trace mineral and helps form hemoglobin. A deficiency of copper can cause heart disease, aneurysms and the elasticity of blood vessels is often reduced.

Fluoride (F-)

Fluoride is essential for building bones and teeth. The chances of caries are reduced if the teeth have fluoride. Combined with calcium and vitamin D, fluoride can treat osteoporosis. The maximum recommended daily allowance is subject to the age of the individual and sex. Children under 6 months should have a maximum intake of 0.01mg per day, those aged between 6 and 12 months should have 0.5mg per day, one to three year olds should have 0.7mg each day, four to eight year olds should have 1.1mg every day and nine to thirteen year olds should have 2.0mg per day. Female teenagers aged between fourteen and eighteen years old should have 2.9mg per day, whilst males of the same age set should have 3.2mg per day. Female adults over nineteen years old should have 3.1mg per day and males of the same age category should have 3.8 mg each day.

A note of caution; fluoride should be taken with care as it is highly reactive. A further point of warning is that an excess of fluoride colors the teeth and eventually may cause a change in the structure of the bones.

Germanium (Ge)

Germanium is employed to transmit electric impulses throughout the body. It boosts the oxygen supply and consequently is thought to be beneficial for treating cancer.

Hardness

Hardness is the intensity calcium and magnesium in the water. The two types of hardness are Temporary Hardness consisting of Ca and Mg bicarbonates and Permanent Hardness composed of Ca and Mg sulfates or chlorides. Degrees are the measurement normally used to describe the hardness.

Hydrogencarbonate (HCO3-)

Hydrogencarbonate commonly known as bicarbonate, is used to maintain acid balance in the stomach and the intestines and helps with digestion as well as aiding with a hang-over!

Iodine (I)

Iodine controls growth and is required for the thyroid gland. The recommended daily allowance is between 0.15 and 0.18 mg per day. A deficiency of iodine may prevent the thyroid gland working which may result in goiter.

Iron (Fe++)

Iron helps make red blood particles and is part of hemoglobin. Children, men and women that are not menstruating and are not pregnant are recommended a daily allowance of 10mg. Women who are menstruating are recommended to take 15mg per day and pregnant women double that figure, 30 mg. If you are deficient in iron you can expect to feel tired, weak, notice a paleness of your skin, cold hands and feet, you may suffer from insomnia, sickness and constipation. One must also be careful not to intake too much iron as iron which is not used is stored in your internal organs and can damage them. Liver cyrrhosis or diabetes may be a result of the storage of iron.

Lithium (Li+)

Lithium is only normally found in trace quantities. It can aid the treatment of alcoholism, manic-depression and compulsive behaviour.

Magnesium (Mg++)

Magnesium is a metal which is crucial for bones and cells, in particular the muscular cells. The muscular and nervous equilibrium is upheld by magnesium. Magnesium is also used for building bones and tendons and in the construction of many enzymes and can help fight osteoporosis and kidney stones. The recommended daily allowance is 300 to 400 mg per day. A deficiency in magnesium may produce sickness, cramps of the calf and stomach.

Manganese (Mn+)

Manganese plays a vital role in clotting the blood and building bone and connective tissues as well as adding with the protein, carbohydrate and fat metabolisms.

Nitrate (NO3-)

Potassium (K+)

Potassium is necessary for cell water regulation and osmotic pressure. Due to potassium being responsible for the maintenance of the balance of fluid it is partly accountable in helping to prevent dehydration and the retention of too much. Furthermore the transmission of nerve impulses and for muscle contractions is enabled through potassium. It has been suggested that it may be needed to fight cancer. The recommended daily allowance is 3000 to 4000mg. Weakened muscles, general fatigue and low blood pressure are a few of the possible consequences of a diet lacking potassium. A diet however with too potassium is also detrimental to ones health often resulting in weakness, fatigue, hearing problems and the taste of metal in the mouth.

Rubidium (Rb)

Silica (SiO2)

Silica is a natural cleansing agent. Building bones, cartilage, connecting teeth and tissues are the main uses of silica by the body.

Sodium (Na+)

Sodium is necessary for the contraction of muscles and the transportation of water around the body. Salt is created when sodium combines with chlorine. To calculate the quantity of salt in water, therefore, one must take into consideration not only the amount of sodium but the quantity of chorine. It is very important that our bodies receive the correct amount of salt. The recommended daily allowance is 2E00 to 3E00 mg. A deficiency in sodium may cause muscle cramps or the collapse of vital body functions.

Strontium (Sr++)

Sulphate (SO4--)

Sulfur is vital to the maintenance of healthy cells and the formation of many enzymes. A deficiency of sulfur prevents the bodys capacity to repair damaged cells.

Zinc (Zn++)

DNA is formed by zinc and it helps to heal wounds and regulate the levels of insulin in the body. The recommended daily allowance is 15mg.

NOTE; The above mineral guide only provides a brief outline to the minerals and their potential impacts on the body. The guide in no way can and wishes to substitute the role of the doctor. If you are suffering from ill health or wish for more information please seek professional help.