Is Aquafina water good for you? A nutritional deep dive

October 3, 2025 •

4 min read

Over 50% of the world’s population drinks bottled water, but concerns over processing methods and plastic safety are rising. When asking, 'Is Aquafina water good for you?' the answer lies in understanding its journey from public source to pristine bottle, and the subsequent removal of both contaminants and essential minerals during purification.

Quick Summary

Aquafina is purified municipal water, undergoing reverse osmosis to remove contaminants and dissolved solids, including beneficial minerals. The health implications of drinking demineralized water are debated, with some experts raising concerns about potential mineral deficiencies if consumed exclusively, while others argue a balanced diet compensates. The safety of the water is high, but risks associated with plastic packaging and storage should be considered.

Key Points

Purified Water, Not Spring Water: Aquafina is sourced from municipal supplies and purified, not bottled from a natural spring.
Reverse Osmosis Process: Its HydRO-7™ system uses reverse osmosis to remove almost all dissolved solids and contaminants.
Lacks Essential Minerals: The purification process also removes potentially beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium.
Generally Safe: The water meets or exceeds strict government purity standards, making it safe for consumption.
Health Concerns are Debated: While some research raises concerns about drinking demineralized water exclusively, a balanced diet generally compensates for any lost minerals.
Consider Environmental Impact: The use of single-use plastic bottles for Aquafina raises environmental concerns regarding production and waste.
Storage Matters: Storing bottled water in a cool, shaded place minimizes the risk of plastic chemicals leaching into the water.

Understanding the Aquafina Purification Process

Aquafina is a bottled water brand owned by PepsiCo, known for its distinctively clean taste. What many consumers don't realize is that Aquafina originates from municipal water sources, the same as your tap water. The key difference lies in the rigorous, multi-step purification process it undergoes, branded as HydRO-7™. This process is designed to remove a vast range of substances, providing a consistent taste and high purity.

The primary method used in this process is reverse osmosis (RO). RO forces water through extremely fine, semi-permeable membranes, effectively filtering out almost all inorganic solids, including salts, chlorides, and other trace elements. Additional steps in the HydRO-7™ process include carbon filtration, ozonation, and ultraviolet (UV) light exposure to remove dissolved solids, organic compounds, bacteria, and other potential contaminants.

This extensive purification results in a very low concentration of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). The FDA requires that purified water has no more than 10 parts per million (ppm) TDS, and Aquafina often reports an average TDS of around 4 ppm, well within regulatory standards.

The Demineralization Debate: Is Too Pure a Problem?

This high level of purity, however, is a central point of debate when considering if Aquafina water is good for you. The RO process that strips the water of contaminants also removes naturally occurring and often beneficial minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

Potential Health Concerns with Demineralized Water

Mineral Deficiency: A 2015 study published in Drinking Water Minerals and Mineral Balance highlighted concerns over the long-term consumption of demineralized water. The study cited earlier WHO-commissioned research concluding that completely demineralized water has adverse effects on human and animal organisms. Some populations who used RO-treated tap water experienced complaints related to possible magnesium and calcium deficiencies, such as cardiovascular disorders and muscular cramps.
Leaching from Other Sources: Demineralized water is aggressive, meaning it can draw minerals from anything it contacts, including plumbing materials or even food cooked in it. Boiling vegetables in demineralized water can reportedly lead to significant losses of their mineral content.
Potential for Electrolyte Imbalance: Intense physical activity coupled with drinking large volumes of low-mineral water can potentially cause hyponatremia (low blood sodium levels) and electrolyte imbalances, though this is primarily a risk with excessive consumption and not typically an issue for the average person.

The Counterargument: A Balanced Diet

PepsiCo, and other proponents of purified water, contend that the mineral levels in most bottled waters are so minute that their impact on overall health is negligible. They argue that the vast majority of our mineral intake comes from a balanced diet, not from drinking water. For individuals with a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and other nutrient-dense foods, this is likely true. However, for those with poor dietary habits, relying on mineral-rich water might offer a small but beneficial contribution.

Comparison of Aquafina with Other Water Types


Feature	Aquafina (Purified Water)	Spring Water	Mineral Water	Tap Water (Municipal)
Source	Public water sources	Underground springs	Naturally occurring underground sources rich in minerals	Municipal water supply (surface/groundwater)
Purification	Rigorous, multi-step process (RO, carbon filtration, ozonation) to remove almost all solids	Treated to remove bacteria and contaminants, but retains natural mineral content	Bottled at source; may be filtered or have CO2 added/removed, but not chemically disinfected	Filtered and disinfected (e.g., chlorinated) to meet EPA standards
Mineral Content	Very low Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), averaging ~4 ppm	Varies depending on the source; retains many natural minerals	High mineral content, often rich in magnesium, calcium, etc.	Varies widely by location and source, often containing some minerals
Taste	Often described as clean, crisp, and neutral	Taste profile depends on mineral composition; can vary	Distinctive taste based on mineral content; can be earthy or salty	Taste can be affected by mineral levels and chlorine treatment
Health Factors	Safe for hydration; lack of minerals may be a concern for some depending on diet	Safe for hydration; offers natural mineral content	Safe for hydration; higher mineral levels may benefit bone and heart health	Safe in most developed regions; mineral content varies; environmental impact is lower

Packaging, Safety, and Environmental Considerations

While the water itself is safe, the plastic bottle it comes in presents other factors to consider. Prolonged storage or exposure to heat can potentially cause chemicals from the plastic, such as BPA, to leach into the water. To minimize this risk, it's best to store bottled water in a cool, shaded place and avoid reusing single-use plastic bottles. For a more sustainable option, some sources suggest using a BPA-free reusable bottle with filtered tap water. The production and disposal of plastic bottled water also have significant environmental impacts, a factor that conscious consumers should consider.

Conclusion

So, is Aquafina water good for you? The straightforward answer is that it is a safe and highly pure form of hydration. Its rigorous purification process effectively removes harmful contaminants, giving it a reliably clean taste. For most people with a well-rounded diet, the removal of beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium is unlikely to have a significant health impact, as these are primarily sourced from food. However, for those with specific dietary needs or a poor diet, the lack of these minerals might be a disadvantage compared to mineral or spring water. Ultimately, the choice between Aquafina, spring water, or even filtered tap water comes down to a balance of personal preference, dietary habits, health goals, and environmental concerns.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Aquafina originates from public water sources, the same as tap water, and is then purified through a rigorous seven-step process.

Aquafina undergoes a purification process, including reverse osmosis, which removes nearly all minerals and total dissolved solids (TDS). Aquafina states that it removes compounds like calcium, magnesium, and potassium to deliver a purer taste.

Aquafina meets or exceeds the FDA's strict standards for purified bottled water. In areas with questionable tap water quality, Aquafina may be a safer choice. However, in many areas with high-quality municipal water, filtered tap water can be a cheaper and more environmentally friendly alternative.

The World Health Organization has reported that completely demineralized water can have adverse health influences, potentially leading to mineral deficiencies and electrolyte imbalances, especially if consumed exclusively and without a mineral-rich diet.

Yes, like all bottled water, there is a risk of chemicals from the plastic leaching into the water, particularly if bottles are stored for long periods or exposed to heat. To minimize this risk, store bottles in a cool, dark place and consider reusable alternatives.

The key difference is the purification process and mineral content. Aquafina is purified tap water with almost no minerals, while spring water comes from a natural underground source and retains its native minerals, which can benefit health.

While it's a good source of hydration, the lack of electrolytes in purified water makes it less ideal for replenishing fluids and minerals lost during intense exercise. Sports drinks or mineral water are better options for rebalancing electrolytes.