HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF WATER

1) IMPORTANCE OF WATER IN LIFE ON EARTH

Water covers 70% of the earths surface. We rarely think about how important water
is to life on earth. 80% of Rainfall on land, in India goes to the sea. We must learn to
harvest rainfall. Our body is made up of 60 70 % of water. If you focus even further
on specific organs, our need for continual hydration makes sense. The brain is about
80% water, blood is about 90% and the liver is about 97%.
Water acts as a messenger within our systems, carrying nutrients to cells and flushing
waste and toxins out of our bodies. It also regulates our body temperature. When it is
too hot outside or we exercise, we sweat. As sweat evaporates, our bodies cool down
to a manageable temperature. Water also moistens eyes, nose, and mouth tissues,
protects body organs and tissues, helps prevent constipation, and helps dissolve
minerals and other nutrients to make them assessable to the body. Water carries
nutrients and oxygen to the cells, lessens burden to kidney and liver by flushing out
waste and lubricates the joints.
In the same way a car needs oil to run smoothly, our bodies need water. Just like oil,
water needs to be replaced. Our bodies lose about 250 milliliters of water everyday
and doctors recommend drinking at least eight glasses everyday. Many people,
though, don't consume enough and as a result become dehydrated, with symptoms
such as headaches, tiredness and loss of concentration. Chronic dehydration can
contribute to a number of health problems, such as constipation and kidney stones.
Although, we can survive for weeks without food, it only takes a few days before
lack of water becomes fatal.
2) BOTTLED WATER HISTORY
The economic value of "special water" was first cultivated in Europe during the late
1700s when people began visiting natural springs to drink the water or bathe in it.
The origins of bottled water products can be traced back to the earliest civilizations.
Well aware of waters health benefits, the Romans searched for and developed
drinking water sources as they set about establishing their empire. According to
legend, after crossing the Pyrenees, Hannibal, the famous general of the Carthaginian
army, rested his troops and elephants at Les Bouillens in France, the location of the
Perrier drinking water spring.

Spa Movement
The spa movement that began to emerge in Europe in the eighteenth century had its
origins in baths dating from Roman times. Science and medicine touted natural
mineral waters beneficial effects for bathing, showering and drinking.

Cold spa waters were bottled for the first time in France in the 1850s. The legal permit
to bottle Vittel Grande Source natural mineral water was granted as early as 1855.
Perrier followed in 1863, and other European countries a few years later. In 1903,
Vittel Grande Source and Hpar natural mineral waters were declared dintrt
public (of public interest) by the French authorities.
Water spas and the bottling of natural mineral waters had also become well
established in North America at that time. In 1845, Poland Spring water was bottled
for sale in three gallon demi-johns. In South America, So Loureno bottled water
appeared in Brazil in 1890.

Consumption Changes
In the early days, consumption of bottled natural mineral water was the privilege of
the haute bourgeoisie, captains of industry, politicians, royalty, and so on. It was
bottled in glass or stoneware, with porcelain or cork stoppers. By the mid-nineteenth
century, however, the development of railways and the emergence of industrial
production techniques were gradually transforming the business. Bottling methods
changed as consumption spread, and by the mid-twentieth century, global production
had climbed to several hundred million bottles.
Vittel revolutionized the market in 1968 by launching the first plastic bottle aimed
at more general public consumption. It supported its launch with an advertising
campaign emphazising vitality rather than medical benefits. In the mid-1980s, another
revolution moved the market forward with PET (polyethylene terephtalate), a new
recyclable plastic material that became the packaging benchmark worldwide. This
new, lighter, stronger material improved packaging practicality to meet evolving
consumer needs.

Natural Mineral Water

Natural mineral water distinguishes itself from other bottled waters by its
underground origin, its unique stable composition of minerals and trace elements, its
original purity, and its claimed health benefits. To avoid any alteration, natural
mineral water must be bottled at the source and can undergo only a strictly limited
number of expressly authorized treatments.
Today, other categories of bottled water exist, including spring water and specially
formulated drinking water. They have to meet certain well-defined standards. When
necessary, treatment is allowed to reduce, remove or prevent chemical substances or
the growth of pathogens.
Today, more and more people around the world are recognizing the health benefits of
drinking water and are showing their preference for the taste and convenience of
bottled waters.

4) MINERAL HEALTH BENEFITS

Each mineral is also responsible for its own health benefits.
Calcium is essential for the forming of bones and teeth and proper
functioning of muscles
Magnesium is essential for proper functioning of kidneys, curbing fatigue
and neuromuscular balance
Bicarbonates balance pH in the blood and also aid in the digestion process
through maintaining and regulating the acid balance in the stomach and
intestine.
Sulphates act as natural cleansing agents
Chloride is known to be essential for glands, prevent skin disorders and
inflammation
Potassium is essential for overall mental health and balances the levels of
sodium in the body.
5) EFFECT OF MINERALS ON THE TASTE OF WATER
When minerals combine together in water they add different tastes to the water. This
is because each mineral has its own unique taste.
Magnesium and Sulphate together impart a sweetish taste to water. Sodium and
Chloride combine to give a salty taste.
When Calcium and Magnesium combine with bicarbonates it adds hardness to water.
Excess of iron imparts a metallic or astringent taste to water.