Water is an essential nutrient that our body needs to live. Our body consists of 70% water. Every cell in our body needs water.
Water is very important because our body needs it. We can only stay hydrated if we drink adequate amounts of water every day. If we don’t drink a sufficient amount of water, dehydration can occur, which means our body loses more water than it takes in and then doesn’t function properly. Some of the symptoms of dehydration can include experiencing severe dryness in the mouth and nose, extreme thirst, less or dark color urine, fatigue, confusion, and dizziness. We can only prevent these symptoms by drinking as much water as we can on a daily basis.
There are so many people for whom drinking water is a boring affair. These people tend to look for water enhancers to help them drink more water. Water enhancers come in two different forms – liquid and powder. They are made to improve the taste of the water. They come in different brands, and most contain artificial flavouring and additives such as artificial sweeteners, colors and flavors, caffeine, citric acid, vitamins and electrolytes.
People who use water enhancers are more concerned about the taste than the healthfulness of the ingredients. It is advisable to enhance your water with natural enhancers such as fresh citrus, cucumber, mint leaves or any of your favorite fruits. This way you are in control of what you take into your body.
Carbonated Water
Water also is available as carbonated water. Carbonated water contains dissolved carbon dioxide, which is either artificially introduced under pressure or produced by natural geological processes. This causes small bubbles to form, giving the water an effervescent quality. This type of water comes in many varieties. The main categories of carbonated water includes mineral water, club soda, seltzer and tonic water.
Mineral water
Mineral water is naturally carbonated. It comes from a spring from an underground reservoir without impurities. It contains a variety of minerals such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, zinc, bicarbonate and iron. The taste always depends on where it comes from. Mineral water is considered healthy, but does not contribute so much to the general health.
Club Soda
Club soda is carbonated just like mineral water and contains minerals. However, the amount of minerals depends on the specific manufacturer. These minerals can enhance the taste of club soda by giving it a slightly salty taste.
Seltzer Water
Seltzer Water is manufactured in Germany. It is similar to club soda, but contains no added minerals, giving it a plainer, real water taste.
Tonic Water
Tonic Water, like Club Soda and Seltzer, is a carbonated beverage. With added minerals. This drink has a unique taste. It contains quinine, a compound isolated from the bark of the cinchona tree, which is added during production to give it a unique flavor. This quinine gives the drink its bitter taste and it also contains a high amount of fructose corn syrup or sugar to enhance the flavor. This drink is often used as a mixer for cocktails.
Carbonated water is good to drink. It is refreshing and generally calorie-free. It hydrates in the same way as regular water, making it an additional beverage option to increase daily water intake. It also aids digestion and has no effect on bone mineral density. However, we should not consume carbonated beverages on a regular basis. They easily cause feeling of fullness, so we may not take in as much water as we would want. They also cause bloating and discomfort. Carbonated drinks are acidic and can attack tooth enamel. Tonic water, on the other hand, contains sugar and artificial flavors.
Works Cited
Works Cited
Mayo Clinic. 2022. Water: How much should you drink every day? October 12. Accessed 2023. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256.
MedicalNews Today. 2019. What are the health benefits of mineral water? April. Accessed 2023. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324910#magnesium.
Healthline. 2019. Does Mineral Water Have Health Benefits? September 4. Accessed 2023. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/mineral-water-benefits.
WebMD. 2022. Health Benefits of Mineral Water. November 27. Accessed 2023. https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-mineral-water.
Cleveland Clinic. 2021. Electrolytes. September. 24. Accessed February 2023. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/21790-electrolytes.
