Exploring the Health Concerns: What are the disadvantages of drinking mineral water?

November 1, 2025 •

4 min read

While mineral water is often marketed as a healthy hydration choice, studies show that bottled water, including mineral varieties, frequently contains microplastics and other contaminants. This raises significant questions about the potential disadvantages of drinking mineral water, especially when considering long-term consumption and environmental impact.

Quick Summary

This article examines the various downsides of consuming mineral water, focusing on health risks from excessive mineral intake, microplastic contamination, and environmental harm associated with bottled products. It explores specific concerns related to sparkling water and provides guidance for different populations, like infants.

Key Points

High Mineral Intake Risks: Excessive consumption of mineral water can lead to issues like high sodium intake, especially for those with hypertension, and strain the kidneys due to high mineral concentration.
Microplastic Contamination: Bottled mineral water frequently contains microplastics and nanoplastics from packaging, with unknown but potentially concerning long-term health effects.
Not for Infants: Many mineral waters are unsuitable for babies and infants due to high sodium and mineral content that can be harmful to their undeveloped kidneys.
Dental Erosion: Carbonated or sparkling mineral water is more acidic than still water and can contribute to the erosion of tooth enamel over time.
Environmental Impact: Bottled mineral water has a significant environmental footprint, contributing to plastic waste and pollution.
Potential for Contaminants: Unprotected mineral water sources can sometimes harbor biological contaminants like Cryptosporidium, and some regions have natural arsenic contamination.
High Cost: Mineral water is often significantly more expensive than tap water, offering questionable health benefits in comparison.

The Surprising Health Risks of Excessive Minerals

Though lauded for its mineral content, consuming too much mineral water can pose health risks for some individuals. The kidneys work hard to filter out excess minerals, and for those with pre-existing kidney issues, a consistently high intake can cause strain over time.

High Sodium Levels: Many mineral water brands have naturally high levels of sodium. For individuals on a sodium-restricted diet due to high blood pressure, heart conditions, or kidney disease, this can be problematic and lead to increased blood pressure.
Electrolyte Imbalance: Drinking excessively large quantities of mineral water can disrupt the body's delicate electrolyte balance, potentially causing symptoms like muscle cramps, nausea, and irregular heart rhythms.
Water Intoxication: While rare, consuming an extremely large volume of water in a short period—especially if it contains minerals that affect sodium levels—can lead to hyponatremia, a condition of low blood sodium that can be dangerous.
Toxic Element Contamination: In some regions, groundwater used for mineral water sources can naturally contain harmful elements like arsenic, a known carcinogen. While regulations exist, concerns remain, as seen in some areas with high contamination.

The Problems with Plastic Packaging

Beyond the water itself, the bottling process introduces a range of disadvantages. The vast majority of mineral water is sold in plastic bottles, which presents both health and environmental issues.

Microplastics and Nanoplastics: Studies have repeatedly detected microplastic and nanoplastic particles in bottled water. These tiny plastic fragments can come from the bottle degrading and flaking off into the water. The potential long-term health effects of ingesting these particles are not yet fully understood, but some animal studies suggest they can accumulate in the body and cause inflammation.
Chemical Contamination: Plastic bottles, particularly those made from certain materials like polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and bisphenol A (BPA)-containing plastics, can leach chemicals into the water. BPA, for instance, is an endocrine disruptor linked to hormonal issues, fertility problems, and other health concerns.
Environmental Impact: The mass production and disposal of plastic bottles for mineral water have a severe environmental footprint. Bottled water production requires fossil fuels, and a significant percentage of bottles end up in landfills or polluting the environment.

The Particular Case of Sparkling Mineral Water

Sparkling mineral water introduces its own set of concerns, primarily due to its carbonation. The carbonic acid that gives it fizz can impact dental and digestive health.

Dental Erosion: The acidity in sparkling mineral water can lead to the erosion of tooth enamel over time, especially with frequent consumption. While significantly less damaging than sugary soft drinks, it is still more acidic than still water.
Digestive Discomfort: For some individuals, the carbonation in sparkling water can cause bloating, gas, and digestive upset. It is often recommended that people with acid reflux (GERD) or other gastrointestinal issues switch to non-carbonated beverages.

Comparison Table: Mineral Water vs. Tap Water


Feature	Mineral Water	Tap Water (City-Regulated)
Source	Protected underground source with consistent mineral composition.	Municipal source, highly regulated and treated.
Mineral Content	High and stable mineral levels, sometimes excessively high in sodium.	Variable mineral content, generally lower than mineral water.
Regulation	FDA regulated for bottling standards.	EPA regulated for public water safety standards.
Cost	Significantly more expensive due to sourcing and bottling.	Much more affordable and accessible.
Contaminant Risk	Potential for microplastics from bottles, natural contaminants from the source.	Risk of contaminants from old pipes, but regulated for safety.
Environmental Impact	High, due to plastic waste and transportation of bottles.	Very low environmental impact, no plastic waste involved.
Suitability for Infants	Not recommended due to high mineral and sodium content.	Safe for infants when boiled and cooled, as recommended by health authorities.

Specific Risks for Vulnerable Populations

Certain populations should be particularly cautious about their mineral water consumption, or avoid it altogether. The composition of some mineral waters can be unsuitable for their unique nutritional and health needs.

Infants and Babies: Health authorities caution against giving mineral water to infants and babies, especially for making formula. The high levels of minerals and sodium can overtax a baby's undeveloped kidneys. Tap water, when boiled and cooled, is the recommended choice.
Individuals on Low-Sodium Diets: People with medical conditions requiring a low-sodium intake must carefully check the labels of mineral water. The sodium content in some brands is high enough to interfere with dietary restrictions and health management.
Those with Kidney or Heart Conditions: For individuals with kidney disease or specific heart conditions, the high mineral load can create unnecessary stress on the body and should be discussed with a healthcare provider.

Conclusion

While mineral water has often been framed as a premium, healthy hydration choice, it's crucial to understand the potential downsides. High mineral content can be problematic for some, especially vulnerable populations and those on restricted diets. The environmental and health risks associated with plastic bottling, including microplastic contamination, are also significant concerns. For most people, and especially for infants, tap water remains a safer, more economical, and environmentally friendly choice, provided it meets local safety standards. Evaluating personal health needs and preferences alongside these disadvantages is essential for making an informed decision about hydration. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides global guidelines and information on drinking water safety, which can be a valuable resource for further research.(https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/drinking-water).

Frequently Asked Questions

No, consuming mineral water does not cause kidney stones for most healthy individuals. In fact, staying hydrated with any type of water, including mineral water, can help prevent kidney stone formation. The high mineral content that might be a concern for some is naturally occurring in low doses and is not the primary cause of stones.

Sparkling mineral water is more acidic than still water, and this acidity can contribute to tooth enamel erosion over time with frequent consumption. While it is far less damaging than sugary drinks, rinsing your mouth with plain water afterward can help minimize any potential effects.

Some mineral waters contain high levels of sodium and sulfates that can be harmful to an infant's underdeveloped kidneys. Health authorities recommend using tap water (boiled and cooled) for babies instead of mineral water.

Yes, numerous studies have found microplastic particles in bottled water, including mineral water. These tiny plastic pieces can leach into the water from the plastic bottle itself.

People on sodium-restricted diets due to high blood pressure, heart disease, or kidney conditions should be cautious with mineral water, as some brands are high in sodium. Those with pre-existing kidney problems should also consult a doctor about high mineral intake.

Yes, the production and transportation of bottled mineral water, particularly in single-use plastic bottles, have a considerable environmental footprint. This includes energy consumption and contributing to plastic waste.

For most healthy people, moderate mineral water consumption does not pose a significant risk to blood pressure. However, for individuals with hypertension or those on a low-sodium diet, the high sodium content in some brands could be an issue and should be monitored.