67% of the townspeople, despite the economic and environmental impact, prefers to buy bottled water because it considers it safer than tap water (source Lifegate in collaboration with the Eumetra Research Institute).
Here what to check on the label when buying mineral water.
What the label says
pH
It tells whether a water is acidic (value less than 7) or alkaline (from 7 upwards). This value is measured at the source, before any addition of carbon dioxide (from the acidifying action). This is why some sparkling minerals have the same pH as the smooth versions of the same name.
Fixed residue
Indicates the quantity of mineral salts obtained by evaporating a liter of water at 180 ° C. Most of the waters on the market are represented by those with low mineral content (fixed residue between 50 and 500 mg / liter). Then there are those minerals (between 500 and 1500 mg / l), those minimally mineralized (below 50) and those rich in minerals (above 1500 mg / l).
Minerals
They vary from source to source. The "curative" properties of water depend on their higher or lower concentration (see opposite page).
Expiration date
Indicates the term within which it is preferable to consume bottled water (generally a year and a half or two after bottling).
BEWARE OF NITRATES
"I am pollutants containing nitrogen, coming from intensive farming, from industrial settlements or from fertilizers used in agriculture ", explains Dr. Silvia Parola, biologist and quality manager of the Sant'Anna Fonti di Vinadio company. “In drinking water you can find up to 50 mg / liter, while in the mineral one the limit is 45 mg / liter which drop to 10 mg / liter for products intended for children».
The reason? "THE intestinal bacteria transform nitrates into nitrites which (in addition to being potentially carcinogenic for everyone, adults and children) can modify fetal hemoglobin, still present in the newborn, making it unable to carry oxygen and causing, consequently even severe breathing problems". At the time of purchase, therefore, carefully check the quantity of nitrates indicated on the label.
42 BOTTLES UNDER THE LENS
The test was done by the Altroconsumo Association, which drew up a ranking of the best mineral waters taking into consideration several parameters: the clarity of the information on the label; The environmental sustainability of the bottles and their practicality and ease of opening; the nitrate content and the presence of pollutants (such as arsenic, manganese and nickel) which may be naturally present in the source soil.
All the brands examined received a positive vote. If you want know the reviews in detail and see the entire ranking of mineral waters, go to the site Healthyroyale.com.
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