The chemical composition of good drinking water. What are the beneficial substances in water? Table mineral water

From this article you will learn:

Why raw water is much healthier than boiled water
What temperature is optimal for drinking water
How to choose between carbonated and still water
Why you should give up daily drinking of water with gas
What types of drinking water exist and which one is the most useful
What water to choose for babies and children
What water will help you get rid of excess weight
Benefits and harms of distilled water

It is unlikely that today you can meet at least one person who would not know that it is necessary to drink 2 liters of water per day. But at the same time, few people know about the possibility of harm to health if such a drinking regime is observed. Almost all recommendations on the amount of fluid consumed are based on data on a person’s weight, height, physical activity, climatic conditions, but at the same time it is silent about the meaning that its quality has.

It is impossible to deny the relevance of this issue, since different types liquids (raw, boiled, thawed, distilled, etc.) have different effects on the human body. From this article you will learn about what kind of water is better to drink, as well as what types of it exist.

What water is better to drink: raw or boiled

Among the main advantages inherent in raw water, it should be noted the presence in its composition of many different microelements necessary for the normal functioning of the human body. Their concentration in such a liquid is close to optimal indicators. In this regard, we can talk about the most positive impact raw water on the metabolic processes occurring in the human body.

It should be clarified that raw in this case means not only ordinary tap water, but also mineral, spring water etc. That is, we are talking about any liquid that has not been boiled before use .

In addition, raw water molecules have a special structure that allows the cells of the body to regenerate faster and more efficiently. Such a liquid, interacting with the internal organs of a person, does not lead to the formation of so-called free radicals in them, the high content of which in the blood can cause serious diseases of the cardiovascular system, as well as premature aging of the body.

In this regard, physicians are inclined to believe that the use of raw, not thermally affected water will be of great benefit. The boiled liquid lacks the necessary trace elements, and therefore it is often referred to as inert dead moisture.

However, when figuring out which water is better to drink, and choosing between raw and boiled water, one cannot but note the inherent disadvantages of the former. When drinking liquid from the tap, the risk of infection increases, since it contains pathogenic bacteria and microorganisms that cause various infectious diseases. In addition, even water extracted from deep-sea sources may contain toxic products discharged into the soil and water bodies by industrial enterprises, etc., which means that it can cause serious poisoning or chronic diseases. .

What is good and what is dangerous boiled water

Boiling water has the sole purpose of disinfecting it. Heat harmful to microbes and bacteria, and therefore it is believed that such a liquid is absolutely safe for health. In addition, under the influence of high temperatures, chlorine and its derivatives, which are also dangerous to humans, are destroyed.

Among the advantages of boiling, one can note the improvement in the taste characteristics of water. This is facilitated by the destruction of a number of elements present in its composition. Due to this, the liquid becomes softer and more pleasant to the taste. Surely you have noted this when using boiled water to prepare traditional hot drinks such as tea, coffee or jelly.

Meanwhile, experts say that negative consequences boiling negate its positive effect. For example, heat treatment changes the structure of liquid molecules, in connection with which any therapeutic effect she won't have. Regular use Such water washes away the necessary minerals and trace elements from the body, which adversely affects metabolic processes.

In addition, when boiling in water, the content of harmful salts increases. High temperature activates the interaction contained in the liquid chemical compounds, as a result of which their stable compounds are formed, which have a negative effect on the human body. For example, trihalomethanes - extremely dangerous substances - are formed when free chlorine present in water is heated. Most susceptible harmful effects boiled liquid kidneys and joints, salt deposits in which lead to the loss of their mobility.

To date, experts believe that boiling does not fully contribute to the disinfection of water. Complete destruction of pathogenic microflora occurs after heat treatment, lasting at least 20 minutes. We boil the liquid for 3 to 5 minutes. This time is not enough for the death of the most dangerous microorganisms.

Therefore, speaking about what kind of water is better to drink, it is worth listening to experts who tend to be more useful than raw liquid. Its main disadvantage is pathogenic microorganisms, which can be dealt with by special filters.

Which water is better to drink: cold or warm

For several millennia, the followers of the traditional Chinese medicine talked about the dangers of drinking cold water, due to the fact that it has a compressive and slowing down metabolic processes effect. But the warm liquid has a beneficial effect on the internal organs, promotes better blood circulation.

The same reasons explain the need to drink warm liquids and Ayurveda (the traditional system of Indian medicine). With regard to modern medicine, it confirms the validity of numerous medical claims of antiquity. At the same time, the way of life of people living today has undergone significant changes, and therefore doctors have not come to a consensus on what temperature water is best to drink.

Use warm water has many advantages:

It has a beneficial effect on digestion. Most people prefer warm drinks like coffee or tea in the morning. And it's not just the caffeine they contain. Ayurveda claims that it is the warm liquid that stimulates the digestion process. At the same time, a glass of warm water is much more beneficial for the body than a cup of coffee.
Promotes detox. The best cleansing of the body from harmful substances can be achieved by drinking a sufficient amount of warm water. By adding lemon juice to liquid at room temperature, you will start the digestion process and help eliminate toxins from the body. internal organs. In addition to lemon, for this purpose, you can use fresh mint leaves and thinly sliced cucumber rings, ginger and cinnamon.
Warm water can help relieve pain. With a headache or various inflammatory processes, it is worth using warm moisture, as it causes blood flow to the tissues. Also, liquid at room temperature relieves menstrual pain.
Warm water is an excellent remedy for constipation. In most cases, the cause of their occurrence is a lack of fluid. To replenish it, it is better to drink warm moisture, which has a calming effect on the intestines.
Also, warm water causes an expectorant effect, in this regard, it should be used in case of nasal congestion or coughing.

Before deciding which water is better to drink, it is worth learning about the benefits for the body that cold water:

It is the optimal drink after sports training. This is due to the fact that intense physical activity contributes to an increase in body temperature, and cold (not ice) water helps to reduce it.
What is the best water to drink on a hot day? To recover from a heat stroke or just a walk on a hot day, you can drink a glass of fresh cold liquid, which will reduce the body temperature that has risen under the influence of hot air.

So, which water is better to drink: warm or cold? In most cases, it is a warm liquid that is useful. However, do not forget about this important factor like air temperature. When it comes to a hot day, relaxing on the beach, long stay under the scorching sun, sports training, then you should give preference cold water. Your choice is influenced by specific circumstances.

If we talk about water consumed on an empty stomach, before meals and after meals, then you should prefer drinks at room temperature, in all other cases it is better to listen to your own body, it will tell you which liquid will be the best choice in a particular situation.

What kind of water is better to drink: carbonated or still

The difference between carbonated water and regular water is saturation carbon dioxide (CO2), highly soluble in water. It does not pose a threat to the human body, moreover, it helps to increase the shelf life of water, on the label it is designated as E29.

When thinking about what kind of water is better to drink, keep in mind that sparkling water has the following advantages:

Helps to refresh and quench thirst.
It is recommended for people with low acidity, as it helps to increase the secretion of gastric juice.
Due to the gas contained in such a liquid, various useful microelements are preserved, while the development of pathogenic microorganisms in it is prevented.

However, carbonated water also has certain disadvantages:

Due to the presence of small bubbles in the liquid, the secretion of the stomach is stimulated, which in turn leads to an increase in acidity and bloating of the intestines.
Such water stimulates appetite, and therefore it is not recommended to use it for people who are overweight.
Carbonated liquid is contraindicated in pregnant women due to the negative effects on the intestines.

Thus, arguing about what kind of water is better to drink - carbonated or not, we note that the first is contraindicated for people with diseases gastrointestinal tract(eg, ulcers, gastritis, colitis, hyperacidity). However, in the absence of problems with the gastrointestinal tract, the use of carbonated water (not daily and in small quantities) will not bring harm to the body.

The same applies to the question of the benefits of mineral water. It also contains carbon dioxide, which has an irritating effect on the organs of the gastrointestinal tract. You can get rid of excess bubbles if you shake the bottle well and release the gas.

What is the best water to drink

It is not so easy to say which liquid is the most useful, because there is huge amount options. Let us dwell in more detail on which non-carbonated water is better to drink.

Tap water

The water that enters our homes is treated at special water treatment plants in such a way that it meets sanitary standards. However, tap fluid is not the best choice. If there are no other options, before drinking it, follow these recommendations:

Boil the water.
Filter it.
Settle for two hours, then drink only the upper part of the settled liquid. But this method still will not protect you from the pathogenic microflora present in the water and toxins.

bottled

Speaking about which water is better to drink, it is worth noting the bottled liquid, which is raw, pre-industrially purified water, safe for health. It is bottled in volumes of 5, 10, 19 liters, etc. There is a division of such a liquid into categories - the first and the highest.

The first includes tap water from surface water bodies that has undergone deep purification.

When choosing which bottled water is best to drink, proceed from the following criteria:

give preference to manufacturing companies operating on the market for a long time;
pay attention to the quality of packaging and labels, conscientious companies will not save on them;
you can also refer to reviews, making your own rating of the best bottled drinking water based on them;
in addition, it is possible to laboratory analysis safety and quality of bottled water, which will show how good the product is.

spring

When discussing what kind of water is better to drink, one cannot ignore the spring liquid, which is purified due to the fact that it passes through several soil layers. In most cases, it does not contain harmful impurities, but is enriched minerals, present in the soil.

If you decide to make a choice in favor of spring water, keep in mind that springs located near large cities, highways, industrial enterprises will not meet the criteria for cleanliness and safety.

However, there are a large number of such sources, which are in great demand or little known, the purity of which corresponds to the parameters of water related to the highest category. A number of such springs have appropriate quality certificates, but access to them is limited.

Spring water is also bottled and sold. However, you may encounter situations where unscrupulous manufacturers offer customers not spring liquid, but ordinary liquid.

If you collect spring water yourself, make sure that the container for it is clean. It is also worth taking samples of the liquid from time to time for analysis to the laboratory to confirm its quality.

Mineral

It is also worth paying attention to the mineral water extracted from natural sources containing salts, minerals and trace elements present in the deep layers of the soil. The mineralization of the liquid is achieved when it passes through the soil layers. In accordance with the concentration of salts, there is a division of such water into three groups:

therapeutic, the mineralization of which is over 8 g / l;
medical-dining room, with a salt content of 1 to 8 g/l;
canteen, in which the concentration of trace elements does not exceed 1 g / l.

You can figure out which mineral water is better to drink by familiarizing yourself with each of its varieties in more detail.

Canteen.

It can be used without any restrictions, since it does not affect the body. If we talk about what kind of water is better to drink in case of poisoning, intoxication, acute intestinal infections, then mineral table water will be the best choice.

At the same time, it is not recommended to drink only such a liquid, mineral water will not be a worthy replacement for ordinary drinking water. Also, you should not start drinking it on your own, without a doctor's recommendation, give it to children under 12 years of age.

Therapeutic mineral.

Such mineral water prescribed by a doctor, indicating the dosage and duration of use. Along with drugs, the liquid has certain indications and contraindications for use. In this regard, you should not drink it on your own, without consulting a specialist.

Therapeutic dining room.

This water is also prescribed by a doctor and is drunk in certain courses. In the future, it is possible to use it independently on the basis of the recommendations given earlier.

filtered

Nowadays, the use of filtered water is widespread. Almost all homes have special filters that allow you to purify tap fluid. Such treatment can be called the most cost-effective way to obtain good quality water directly from the tap. At the same time, one should not forget that during the cleaning process, there is a possibility of various useful minerals and trace elements being washed out of the liquid. In addition, in order to choose the right filter, as well as to monitor the effectiveness of its work, you should regularly analyze the water quality.

What water is best for children to drink

Children need different amounts of water depending on their age. If we talk about babies up to a year, then they can only use:

1. Bottled water. To date, you can buy bottled baby water at any store or pharmacy. Parents should not have difficulty choosing the best option. Liquid intended for children is marked with a special marking, and also contains information about passing the RAMN test. The quality of children's adult water are different from each other, the mineral content in the first must correspond to the following parameters:

the total mineral content does not exceed 200–300 mg/liter;
calcium not higher than 60 mg/liter;
potassium not more than 5–20 mg/liter;
sodium does not exceed 20 mg/liter;
magnesium is not higher than 10-35 mg / liter.

2. Water from "children's" filters. From the point of view of economic feasibility, the best option would be to purchase a special "children's" filter jug. Among its advantages, we note low cost, ease of use, economy (one cartridge is able to process approximately 100–200 liters of water), an increased degree of purification (removal of mechanical impurities, chlorine, pesticides, bacteria).

For the production of the case, high-quality environmentally friendly plastic is used, the use of which is approved by pediatricians. The liquid purified with such a filter is absolutely safe for children.

When choosing which water is best for children to drink after a year, keep in mind that it must have the first or highest quality category.

The first category corresponds to safe water for drinking, obtained from any source. Its quality is significantly superior to tap water (due to the absence of by-products of chlorination), but inferior to the liquid of the highest category.

The highest category is assigned to water obtained from sources that are protected from pollution. It must meet strict sanitary and hygienic requirements, not exceed the permissible limits for the content of macro- and microelements.

Children under the age of three are recommended to drink water of the highest category. In its production, preservatives (silver and carbon dioxide) are not used, which have a negative effect on the microflora of the children's gastrointestinal tract. In such a liquid, the concentration of fluoride ion does not exceed 0.6–1.0 mg/liter. When it is contained in a larger amount, it is forbidden to drink such water to children, since there is a high probability of an overabundance of this substance in the child's body.

Drinking water can be divided into natural and prepared, that is, purified and artificial mineralization. These liquids correspond to a certain quality category.

3. Natural water.

artesian Water is extracted from artesian springs, which are located in the deep layers of the soil. They are formed due to melt and rain water accumulating in the bowels of the earth. The fluid is purified and mineralized as it passes through rocks. Since the depth of its occurrence is very large, it is not affected by external pollution. Often, after extraction from a well, such water only needs to be cleaned of suspensions and brought to normal values of the composition of mineral substances (if necessary).
Rodnikova Water is obtained from underground sources that come to the surface of the earth. Despite the pleasant taste, its quality will not always be high, since it is exposed to natural and man-made conditions (heavy rains, floods, industrial enterprises, etc.). In this regard, bottled spring water belongs to the first category of quality.
Glacial melting glaciers form the water. This is the purest liquid, close in its chemical composition to distilled due to the minimum amount of minerals.

Mineral salts are always present in the composition of natural water, it has a constant composition and temperature. When extracting a liquid, which is carried out in compliance with the necessary technologies, it is possible in the future to be limited only to its mechanical cleaning from suspensions. But in most cases, the chemical composition of natural water needs to be adjusted.

4. Purified water.

Reverse osmosis. One of the most common water treatment technologies today. Special membrane filters retain impurities present in the liquid, guaranteeing high quality cleaning.

However, this method of treatment deprives the water of not only pathogenic, but also beneficial microorganisms. A liquid that lacks salts and minerals is not suitable for continuous use. In addition, it is contraindicated in children, since its acid-base balance is shifted towards increased acidity, and its restoration will occur due to the beneficial elements present in the teeth and bones of babies.

Ozonation is very effective way water treatment. The technology consists in the oxidation of microorganisms, while the mineral composition of the liquid remains unchanged. Ozone prevents the reproduction of pathogenic microflora in bottles. However, it should be borne in mind that with this technique there is a possibility of the appearance of a suspension of soluble organic matter, which, if not removed, is able to repopulate the liquid with microorganisms that pose a more serious health hazard.
ultraviolet irradiation. Before resorting to ultraviolet water treatment, it must be mechanically clear of impurities. This technology is detrimental to living microflora, bacteria and viruses, while the chemical composition of water remains unchanged.

If we talk about what kind of water is better for children to drink, then it may contain a minimum amount of harmful and toxic substances. At the same time, the chemical composition and ratio of trace elements in a liquid intended for children must be ideal.

What water is better to drink for weight loss

If you set yourself the goal of losing weight, then keep in mind that in this case you should drink clean water, and not other liquids. Other drinks, as well as liquid dishes, are not suitable for this purpose, however, a small amount of lemon juice can be added to the moisture consumed. It is undesirable to drink ordinary tap water, as it contains chlorine and other harmful substances.

When choosing which water is better to drink - boiled or filtered, keep in mind that heat treatment is detrimental to useful salts and minerals. Therefore, the use of such a liquid can cause negative side effects, such as swelling. A number of nutritionists believe that the degree of usefulness of boiled water can be equated to drinks such as coffee or tea, that is, it has no benefit for weight loss. The best choice will be a liquid purified from impurities using home filters. The main thing is not to forget about the timely replacement of cartridges.

When choosing bottled water, give preference to products from reputable manufacturers.

Among the best options is the use of melt water. It is characterized by a special molecular structure and beneficial effect on the body.

When choosing which mineral water is better to drink, pay attention to its varieties without gas and with a low salt content. The use of too salty mineral water is fraught with fluid retention in the body and swelling.

As for sparkling water, it does not matter whether it is drinking or mineral, it does not contribute to weight loss. But due to gases that inflate the intestines, it can cause discomfort. At the same time, the use of sugary carbonated drinks during a diet is prohibited, since they contain a large amount of sugar, various preservatives, flavor enhancers and stabilizers.

Despite the fact that sugary sodas that say "0 calories" do not contain sugar, they still do not carry benefits. In their manufacture, the sweetener aspartame or E-951 is used, which contains methanol. In the body, this substance is transformed into formaldehyde (which is a strong poison).

When deciding what temperature water is best to drink, keep in mind that drinking cold liquid will slow down metabolic processes. As for the quantity, it is calculated in such a way that for every kilogram of weight there are 40 ml of water.

Starting to drink water in order to lose weight, you should adhere to the following recommendations.

When choosing which water is better to drink in the morning on an empty stomach, listen to experts who advise drinking one or two glasses of warm liquid before breakfast. This mode will help in losing extra pounds by accelerating metabolism, in addition, it will be an excellent means of preventing constipation.
Reduced appetite contributes to water, drunk about 20 minutes before meals. However, you should not drink more than two glasses of liquid at once, otherwise you can stretch the stomach.
Do not drink food, in this case, the process of its assimilation will slow down. Water can be consumed at least an hour after lunch or dinner.
Speaking about the best time to drink water, we note that the refusal to drink fluids 30 minutes before bedtime will permanently save you from swelling.
In the hot season, it is worth drinking more clean drinking water than in the cold, because due to elevated temperatures, the body loses fluid in the form of sweat, respectively, it is necessary to replenish its reserves in order to ensure the normal functioning of vital organs.
Drinking water at room temperature is optimal, it has a positive effect on the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, and also reduces appetite.
If you have a desire to chew something, try drinking a small amount of water, gradually you will get rid of a not so useful habit.
When exercising, drink more fluids than usual. During physical activity harmful substances are removed from the body, and the use of a sufficient amount of moisture will help accelerate this process.

Speaking about what kind of water is better to drink in order to lose weight, do not forget about the need to include in your life sports, exercise, increased physical activity while reducing the amount of flour, fatty foods consumed.

Can you drink distilled water

Distilled water is obtained by evaporation, during which various impurities, microbes, and trace elements are removed from the liquid. It can be drunk, used for cooking. But due to the lack of useful minerals and salts in it, it is often called dead. In addition, it is believed that the use of such water contributes to the leaching of calcium from the body, the destruction of the skeletal system, tooth enamel. However consensus As for the benefits or harms of distilled liquid today, there is none.

When choosing which water is better to drink, check out the advantages of distilled water:

In its composition, it is similar to natural (rain, melt) water, which means it is useful for the body.
Passing through the body, such a liquid cleanses it, absorbing various toxic substances. In addition, its use helps to remove salts and stones from the kidneys.
The main advantage of distilled water is the technology of its production, due to which bacteria and harmful microorganisms are completely removed from the liquid.
The composition of ordinary drinking water contains various minerals and trace elements, but not all of them are beneficial for the human body.

As for the reasons why you should not drink distilled water too often, the following can be distinguished:

It helps to flush out beneficial substances from the body. chemical substances- potassium, magnesium, fluorine, calcium, which negatively affects the body, teeth, skeletal system.
The absence of minerals in the liquid has a negative effect on the heart, digestive system, blood vessels, and internal organs.
Distilled water leaches important chemical elements from the blood.
The acid-base balance of such a liquid is lower than that of ordinary drinking water, so it does not affect the water balance of the human body.
Has a fairly high cost.

If the water quality leaves much to be desired…

The problem of dirty water in the house can be partially solved by installing a high-quality filter, but in such systems it is periodically necessary to replace components, because it directly depends on how well the drinking liquid will be cleaned.

At the same time, the question remains unresolved: how to ensure that our workplace or the child at school has water. best quality? The best solution is to buy it with delivery.

The Iceberg company offers favorable conditions for servicing its customers:

free delivery of water to your home or office: buyers pay only the cost of the goods;
wells from which our water is drawn have registration documents in the State Water Cadastre of the Russian Federation;
for the extraction and bottling of water, advanced technologies are used, which helps to preserve and increase its quality and natural purity;
we also sell modern water coolers and other equipment manufactured by well-known European brands, taking into account existing quality standards. The sizes of pumps and racks for bottles vary, allowing you to install devices even in small rooms;
delivery of drinking water to your home or office is carried out at the lowest price, thanks to constant promotions from our company;
along with water, you can purchase disposable tableware, tea, coffee and other auxiliary products.

Clean water is valuable, but it should not be worth its weight in gold. Our mission is to provide every home and workplace high-quality drinking water, so we have prepared the most favorable conditions for our customers.

We all know that water is one of the main components of the human body. But which water is healthier? Thawed, rain, filtered or with the addition of lemon? This question for a long time the best experts asked, and yet they found the right answer!

Each of us is aware that the daily dose of water drunk per day for a person provides us with Good work digestive system, stabilizes blood circulation, cleanses the body and other charms to improve health. But what kind of water is better to drink: mineral or table water? Bottled or tap?

Experts read that The amount of water you drink is much more important than what type it is. The British Dietetic Association states that the optimal amount of water consumed per day by a person is on average 2 liters, which is equal to eight cups. Other drinks are also acceptable, but their composition harms the body, compared to pure water.

Tap water.

Tap water at home usually goes through many stages of purification, one of which is filtration with the addition of chlorine. When drinking such water, you can feel its smell and taste. But the concentration of the additive is minimal, so you should not be afraid to drink it. But you don't have to rely solely on this kind of water. In small quantities, water with fluoride even helps against the appearance of caries.

Mineral water.

Water from springs is thoroughly tested for quality and harmful microelements in its composition are not allowed at the production site. The mineral content declared on the label cannot deviate by a certain percentage.

Table water.

Such water does not contain useful microelements in its composition. It is better to buy water in glass bottles, even if they are more expensive. The thing is that the plastic from which these bottles are made is toxic. After several days of storage on store shelves, it releases hazardous substances directly into the liquid. Using it, we can harm our health.

Soda.

There is no evidence that such water is harmful. But in any case, drink only one kind of water all the time.

Water with the addition of silver particles.

Water can be "silvered" by placing cutlery with expensive metal in a glass with it. All elements enter the water and saturate it with silver. Such water is absolutely harmless. It can be drunk in any dose. But a beneficial effect is also not to be expected.

The composition of drinking water, which brings the body, has a fairly strict limits on the content of minerals and salts. A person can benefit from drinking water, the boundaries of mineralization of which lie in the range from 0.02 to 2 grams of minerals per liter.

Sulfates, bicarbonates, magnesium, sodium and calcium chlorides are the main salts that saturate water and are required by a person for life. The amount of these salts should not exceed 0.5 grams per liter of water.

Also useful and necessary for us water should contain such microelements as fluorine, bromine, iodine. The content of these trace elements in water is negligible and is measured in milligrams, but nevertheless it is very important for the normal functioning of many physiological functions of the body. At the same time, the dosage is very important, since it seriously affects certain processes of the formation of certain tissues and cells. The dosage of fluorine in water is very indicative. If fluorine is less than 0.5 milligrams per liter, tooth decay inevitably occurs. At the same time, the concentration of fluorine exceeding 1.0-1.5 milligrams will also inevitably lead to another dental disease - fluorosis (The disease was first described as early as the 18th century as "mottled teeth"). It can develop both before and after teething. Causes destruction of tooth enamel.

Water in which there are no salts and microelements is as harmful as it is tasteless. It is unpleasant to drink it, it is harmful in that it lowers the osmotic pressure inside the cells. This water is distilled water. Drinking this water is not recommended. Salt concentrations less than 100 milligrams per liter are considered unacceptable for drinking.

Elements such as sodium, calcium and potassium are distributed differently in our body, the presence of which in water is also necessary. Intracellular fluids of blood plasma, digestive juices, eye moisture, cerebrospinal fluid require sodium ions. Intracellular fluids of cells of muscles, nerves, skin, and other organs - calcium and potassium ions. Again, dosage matters a lot.

Natural water contains not only these elements. Their huge variety. Almost all the chemical elements of the earth in one concentration or another are found in real natural water. The difference is only in quantity. Therefore, it is so important from which source you drink water.

Of course, we do not always have the opportunity to study the composition of the water that we have to drink. But nature has endowed us with taste buds and this is an important way to quickly analyze, giving us the opportunity to understand whether we need to drink this or that water. Academician I. P. Pavlov said that in the course of evolution a person developed a reflex of aversion to water that is unpleasant or unusual in taste. So, even if it is not possible to read the composition of the water on the bottle label, taste the water and if you don’t like something in it, don’t drink it. good water it always tastes good, you want to drink it. Only such water can satisfy the needs of our body, benefit and not harm.

Water is the most important substance consumed by man, the quality of which must always remain at highest level because human health depends on it. Therefore, it matters composition of drinking water. To determine it, as much as possible corresponding to the quality and suitable for consumption, state sanitary standards have been established. Depending on these standards, water is tested for compliance with the following indicators:

At the same time, the parameters of color, hardness, alkalinity, as well as the limiting sign of harmfulness and hazard class are important. Each indicator determines the minimum concentration that affects the human body. Therefore, sanitary standards set criteria for all indicators. However, a physiologically complete mineral composition of drinking water should contain:

iodine, at a concentration of 20-30 µg/dm3;
magnesium, at a concentration of 10-50 mg/dm3;
potassium and sodium - 2-20 mg/dm3;
calcium - 25-75 mg/dm3;
the level of fluorides at a concentration of 0.7-1.2 and dry residue - 200-500 mg/dm3;
overall hardness index 1.5-7.0 mmol/dm3;
the indicator of the general alkaline level is 0.5-6.5 mmol / dm3.

Such indicators allow the body to always be in good shape, the cells of which receive the necessary microcomponents with water.

What kind of water do we drink

For food consumption of water by humans today, there are several options for this action. We can take tap water directly and through a filter, buy bottled water, collect spring water. Until recently, people took it easy on drinking tap water, believing that chlorine, used as a disinfectant, kept the water clean. At the same time, the harm of chlorine itself was missed. The fact is that the connection of chlorine with the substances present in the water forms dangerous toxic and carcinogenic compounds, as well as dioxins.

These substances kill the healthy microflora of the gastrointestinal tract, leading to dysbacteriosis. But even the use of more modern water treatment technologies with filters does not solve the problem entirely, since the level of minerals remains on the verge of 0.02-2 milligrams per cubic decimeter. The applied boiling of water also leads to a decrease in minerals, and at the same time a deviation from the required hardness. The optimal solution is artesian water or water obtained from freshwater sources, which, through chlorine-free purification, is deprived of mechanical and chemical impurities.

What if the composition is not optimal

According to the criterion of mineralization, the level of purification and pollution, water may have inconsistencies with sanitary standards. Each of the possible indicators critically affects the body. So, depending on the causes of deviations from the optimal indicators of composition, hardness and alkaline balance, the following problems may arise:

an increased number of minerals can add to glut, causing a digestive imbalance in the body, an increase in the concentration of salts and other elements;
distilled water. Strong cleaning leads to demineralization of the water composition, and hence the body. In addition, it easily flushes out the necessary substances from the body.

Also, the use of heavy and too soft waters has a different effect on the gastrointestinal tract, affecting the activity of microflora. The mineral water used in food, which meets the standards in composition and quality, is the key to the normal functionality of the mouse, brain, blood vessels, bone tissue, as well as the general health of the human body.

From this article you will learn:

What is the chemical composition of drinking water
Drinking water quality standards according to SanPiN and GOST

The alphanumeric designation H 2 O is known to everyone since school lessons chemistry. It is nothing but water or hydrogen oxide. It is also no secret to anyone that the human body is approximately 70% liquid. So, it is quite logical to assume that we need it for full development and life. Moreover, lack of water threatens with dehydration, a sharp deterioration in health, and in severe cases, death.

However, the chemical composition of drinking water is not limited to elements such as oxygen and hydrogen. You will learn about what else is included in it, what it should be in order to comply with SanPiN and GOST standards, and how to improve it, from our article.

The chemical composition of drinking water and other important indicators

The chemical composition of clean drinking water is characterized by the presence in it of various elements and substances in an amount not exceeding the indicators fixed in normative documents. However, it should be borne in mind that the maximum concentrations established by SanPiN are rather arbitrary.

This is due to the fact that a number of chemical elements with similar negative properties (for example, several varieties of heavy metals) have more negative impact on human health, reinforcing the effect of each other. Therefore, if the analysis shows the presence of several similar elements in the liquid, the influence of each of them is calculated separately. And already, depending on the result obtained, the question is decided whether additional water purification is necessary or whether it can be used.

The maximum permissible values of various elements in the chemical composition of drinking water, established by regulatory documents, are given in the table:

Along with the indicated indicators, water quality is also affected by a number of other values that are identified during the analysis. They are no less important than the chemical composition of drinking water, and also affect its purity and ability to be used for drinking.

pH- the level of acidity, showing how active hydrogen ions are in the liquid. The acid-base balance of drinking can normally vary from 6 to 9, but the pH of 7-8 is considered the optimal indicator.
Hardness of water- its value shows the quantitative content of calcium and magnesium salts in the liquid. According to doctors, water with their high concentration is a danger to human health, since it is often the cause of urolithiasis.

A soft liquid, which contains too little of these elements, threatens their deficiency in the body, causing the risk of cardiovascular disorders. The best is water of medium hardness, the amount of salts in which is from 4 to 8 mmol per liter of liquid.

No less important indicators are iron content, for the chemical composition of drinking water, it should normally be no more than 0.3 mg per liter, and also chlorine content free, the maximum concentration of which should not exceed 0.5 mg per liter. When this substance interacts with other elements contained in the liquid, compounds are formed that are mostly carcinogenic.

Drinking water quality standards for chemical composition according to SanPiN and GOST

Conducting an annual analysis of the chemical composition of drinking water for compliance with the norm, as well as other environmental indicators, the Russian Ministry of Ecology compiles a rating of cities in our country that can boast the best liquid. For example, in 2017 the leading positions belonged to Moscow, Omsk, Gorno-Altaisk, Voronezh, Krasnodar, Perm. Nefteyugansk, Stavropol, Kerch, Petrozavodsk distinguished themselves with poor quality water. Yoshkar-Ola and Saransk were recognized as the cities of Russia with the best liquid quality in 2018.

Nevertheless, in terms of the purity and quality of the water resource at the international level, Russia was not included in the top ten countries, the top positions in the ranking belong to Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Costa Rica, Australia, New Zealand, Latvia, France, etc. The evaluation criteria were organoleptic, chemical, microbiological qualities of water, which are essential for establishing the parameters of the norm.

At the international level, regulatory water quality standards are governed by:

the Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality adopted in Geneva;
unified sanitary-epidemiological and hygienic requirements for controlled goods adopted by the Commission of the Customs Union.

In our country, drinking water is also evaluated depending on its organoleptic properties (odor, turbidity, taste, etc.), chemical composition (hardness, oxidizability, alkalinity, etc.), virus-bacteriological and radiological characteristics.

For example, the normal value of water for such a parameter as odor, assessed at a temperature of + 20 ° C and + 60 ° C, should not be higher than 2 points. When measuring, a six-point scale is used, in which values 1 and 2 correspond to weak manifestations of one or another property of the liquid, and indicators 5 and 6 correspond to strong (sharp) ones. As for other values, in accordance with SanPiN “Drinking water. Hygiene requirements to water quality centralized systems drinking water supply. Quality control”, limiting parameters are set:

color - up to +20 °С (it is possible to increase up to +35 °С for certain water supply systems on the basis of the decision of the chief sanitary doctor RF);
turbidity - up to 1.5 mg per liter and up to 2.6 NMF (values of kaolin and formazin, respectively);
taste - no more than 2 points.

The normative indicators of radiation safety (Bq/l) are as follows:

total alpha radioactivity - 0.1;
total beta radioactivity - 1.

As for the liquid quality standards established by SanPiN and GOST, the chemical composition of drinking water must comply with the requirements listed in these regulatory documents (tables 2 and 3 of SanPiN "Drinking water. Hygienic requirements for water quality of centralized drinking water supply systems. Quality control").

At the same time, it should be borne in mind that there are notes to these tables, according to which:

Standard "s.-t." refers to the sanitary-toxicological sign, the standard "org." - to organoleptic.
The values of standard indicators indicated in brackets can be changed based on the decision of the chief sanitary doctor in a certain territory for a particular water supply system.
Standards adopted on the basis of WHO recommendations.

Table 3 (SanPiN):

With regard to the notes to this table, then:

When using free chlorine for water disinfection, it must be in contact with the liquid for more than 30 minutes, combined chlorine - more than 60 minutes;
When adopting the standard, WHO recommendations were used;
It is necessary to determine the concentration of residual ozone after the mixing chamber, ensuring contact for at least 12 minutes.

Chemical elements that have similar properties, acting on the human body, mutually reinforce the negative qualities of each other. Therefore, if the analysis shows the presence of several similar substances in the liquid, the influence of each of them is calculated separately. And already, depending on the result obtained, the question is decided whether additional water purification is necessary or whether it can be used.

For example, if, as a result of the analysis of the chemical composition of drinking water, the content of several substances in it belonging to the first and second hazard classes is established, then in total the ratio of the actual concentration of each of them (in the above formula is designated as “Fact.”) to its maximum permissible values (in the formula - "With additional") should not be more than one:

How to determine the chemical composition of drinking water

The chemical composition of drinking water and its quality are checked in special laboratories using common analysis methods applicable to various areas of human activity. The list of these methods is quite wide, so we will focus on the most famous of them.

organoleptic methods. The characteristics of drinking water (color, smell, turbidity, etc.) are determined using the senses. So, to determine the color of a liquid, it is poured into a transparent glass container, and a sheet of white paper is taken for evaluation. If, looking at the paper through the vessel, its color is different from white, then the water is considered contaminated.

Such an indicator as transparency is determined by the visibility of the typeface through the bottom of a special glass flask. If 3 cm of water does not make it possible to see the font, then they speak of insufficient transparency of the liquid under study. As for the smell, its intensity is estimated by the laboratory staff according to the point system, based on their own feelings.

Gravimetry(weight analysis). An important method of quantitative chemical analysis, which is based on the accurate measurement of the mass of a substance. For this, it is necessary to highlight necessary element as a poorly soluble compound of known constant chemical composition. With the help of gravimetry, such indicators of the chemical composition of drinking water as total mineralization, sulfate concentration, etc. are evaluated.
Nephelometry and turbidimetry. Using these methods of quantitative chemical analysis, the turbidity, color of the liquid, and the content of suspended particles in it are determined. The method itself is based on the measurement of the intensity of light that is scattered and passes through a water sample.
capillary electrophoresis. This technique for studying the chemical composition of drinking water is based on the division constituent parts liquid in a quartz capillary due to the action of an applied electric field. As a result, elements with different masses are attracted to the walls of the capillary at different intervals of time. The received data are recorded by a special detector. Based on this information, conclusions are drawn about the content of cations and anions, pesticides and other ecotoxicants in the water.
Chromatography. In the process of analysis, the zone of the substance moves in the flow of the mobile phase along the sorbent layer, while multiple repetitions of sorption and desorption acts are performed. As a result, the separated substances are distributed between the mobile and stationary phases. Using this technique, organic impurities contained in water are analyzed.
Potentiometry. This method, which is based on the measurement electromotive forces(EMF) of reversible galvanic cells, helps in determining the acid-base level of water (pH), the content of fluoride ions in it.
Titrimetry. The technique consists in measuring the amount of the reagent, which is necessary for the interaction with the determined component in solution or gas phase to begin in connection with the stoichiometry of the chemical reaction that occurs between them.
Spectrophotometry. Another method of quantitative chemical analysis, which is based on the measurement of absorption spectra electromagnetic radiation in the optical region. It can be used to determine the presence of various foreign elements in the water, such as heavy metal ions, ammonium compounds, etc.

For the analysis, special equipment is used that has been verified and entered in the State Register of Measuring Instruments. In laboratories for studying the chemical composition of drinking water, they use:

analytical balance;
chromatographs;
ionomers;
thermoreactors;
turbidimeters;
spectrophotometers;
photocolorimeters;
capillary electrophoresis systems;
moisture analyzers;
automatic titrators;
thermostats, etc.

Each method of chemical analysis includes various special techniques, which are intended directly for working with water, and in some cases using certain equipment.

How to improve the chemical composition of drinking water

It is possible to bring the chemical composition of drinking water to normal at home. Let's take a closer look at the most common cleaning methods:

Settling.

The easiest way to purify a liquid is to settle it. This method allows you to remove chlorine from tap water (although the efficiency will not reach 100%). Even though with this chemical element water is disinfected (detrimental to bacteria), in itself it is dangerous to human health.

The method consists in filling the container with water and settling it for six to seven hours (you do not need to close the vessel). During this time, volatile gases (ammonia and chlorine) will evaporate from the liquid and a precipitate of salts of heavy metals will form. After settling, about three-quarters of the water must be carefully poured into a new vessel, and the rest should be poured out. Keep in mind that you should never shake the liquid.

Boiling.

Processing in this way involves boiling water over low heat for an hour. It must first be defended, since the danger of chlorine contained in the liquid increases when boiled (this substance has carcinogenic properties). The disadvantages of boiling also include an increase in the concentration of salts of heavy metals. Perhaps in this regard, according to cardiologists, boiled water has a negative effect on the heart.

Acid cleaning.

In some cases, the quality and chemical composition of drinking water can be improved by enriching it with acid. For this purpose, ascorbic acid is dissolved in boiled liquid (0.5 g of acid is needed for 5 liters) and left for about an hour. The effectiveness of this method is quite debatable, at least because thermally treated water is dead by its nature.

In addition, ascorbic acid is by no means natural vitamin C, but its artificially created substitute. Synthetic vitamins are considered dead substances, practically not absorbed by the body.

Purification with minerals.

This method of drinking water treatment involves the use of silicon and shungite. It is difficult to say whether they really purify the liquid, this is not confirmed by scientific data. But with their help, you can enrich the water with minerals. Something else deserves attention.

The usefulness of this method of water purification has become known not so long ago. The Minsk scientist A.D. Malyarchik was the first to draw attention to the transparency of Lake Svetloye. He published a study on this phenomenon and medicinal properties silicon.

However, it is worth noting that both flora and fauna are absent in Lake Svetloe itself. People living near it consider the water of the lake to be dead. However, they noticed that the liquid promotes faster healing of wounds. Scientists say that silicon does have bactericidal properties, but caution is required when drinking such water. In addition, it is categorically contraindicated in oncological diseases and predisposition to them.

With shungite, things are similar. Such a liquid is considered therapeutic (there is even a similar resort). However, like any other mineral water, it should not be consumed every day. For the above reasons, doctors urge caution when using this mineral.

Since not everyone knows about their predisposition to oncology, it is not worth making a decision on the need to use shungite and silicon in order to improve the chemical composition of drinking water on your own.

Freeze cleaning.

This method of processing has numerous supporters. It is based on the theory of faster freezing pure water compared to contaminated. As a result, pure ice and a liquid with impurities are formed. However, it is not known how good such a method is. Some of the impurities, most likely, do not freeze, respectively, they can be separated, but if we talk about heavy metals, which disappear only during chemical treatment, then for them this method is unlikely to be effective.

Melt liquid is called living, in addition, it is believed that its use contributes to longevity and good health. In fact, if we talk about natural water obtained from the melting of glaciers, then it has useful properties, but before that, it undergoes natural cleaning and enrichment. The liquid, frozen in a conventional refrigerator, will be only its likeness.

Cleaning with activated carbon.

In most cases, activated carbon is used as a sorbent in water treatment filters. industrial production. At home, you can use the usual pills bought at the pharmacy. Wrap a few pieces in gauze, place in a container with liquid and leave for 10-12 hours. In this way, you can get rid of many impurities, chlorine and unpleasant odors.

Silver cleaning.

This method of improving the chemical composition of drinking water has been used for many centuries. Today it is used in churches. Silver has strong bactericidal properties, it is a natural antibiotic. However, the water that enters our apartments is pre-treated, so it is not known if it needs additional silvering. And keep in mind that such a liquid is not suitable for continuous use, since silver ions tend to accumulate in the body.

That is, you can use this method, for example, on a hike when you use non-tap water. However, keep in mind that a spoon in this case will not be enough, the use of colloidal silver will be more justified.

Using filters.

None of the above methods are suitable for daily use. The best option would be to install a ready-made industrial filter. To some extent, they use the above methods, but in a more advanced version.

Where to buy drinking water with optimal chemical composition

At the same time, the question remains: how to ensure that our workplace or a child at school has the best quality water? The best solution is to buy it with delivery.

The Iceberg company offers favorable conditions for servicing its customers:

free delivery of water to your home or office: buyers pay only the cost of the goods;
wells from which our water is drawn have registration documents in the State Water Cadastre of the Russian Federation;
for the extraction and bottling of water, advanced technologies are used, which helps to preserve and increase its quality and natural purity;
we also sell modern water coolers and other equipment manufactured by well-known European brands, taking into account existing quality standards. The sizes of pumps and racks for bottles vary, allowing you to install devices even in small rooms;
delivery of drinking water to your home or office is carried out at the lowest price, thanks to constant promotions from our company;
along with water, you can purchase disposable tableware, tea, coffee and other auxiliary products.

Clean water is valuable, but it should not be worth its weight in gold. Our mission is to provide every home and workplace with high-quality drinking water, so we have prepared the most favorable conditions for our customers.