Enhancing Flavor for a Better Drinking Experience
Water is not tasteless; its flavor is heavily influenced by its mineral content. Pure, demineralized water can taste "flat" or "dead" because all the total dissolved solids (TDS) have been removed. This is where calcium comes in. Water companies add trace minerals, including calcium, to enhance and balance the flavor profile. Calcium can give water a milky, smooth texture that many consumers prefer over the neutral taste of highly purified water. This is a primary driver for many popular bottled water brands, where a distinctive and pleasant taste is a key selling point. The addition of calcium chloride is common for this purpose, and while it has a salty and sometimes bitter taste at high concentrations, a small, carefully managed amount significantly improves the overall drinking experience.
Mineral Restoration After Purification
Many bottled water brands use a purification process called reverse osmosis (RO) to remove nearly all contaminants. While this process is highly effective at filtering out harmful chemicals and pathogens, it also strips the water of beneficial minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium. This results in demineralized water with a low pH and flat taste. To counteract this, manufacturers use a process called remineralization, where they add a balanced blend of minerals back into the water after the RO process is complete. This not only restores a more natural taste but also ensures the water is not acidic and does not risk leaching minerals from the body or plumbing. Companies that focus on remineralization often advertise the specific minerals added back to appeal to health-conscious consumers.
Supporting Bone Health and Body Function
Beyond taste, there are significant health benefits to putting calcium in bottled water. As one of the most abundant minerals in the human body, calcium is vital for numerous physiological processes.
- Bone and Dental Health: The most well-known role of calcium is its contribution to strong bones and teeth. Regular calcium intake, particularly from bioavailable sources like mineral-rich water, helps maintain bone density and can aid in preventing conditions like osteoporosis, especially in older adults and postmenopausal women. A study on elderly women found that increased calcium intake from drinking water was positively associated with higher femoral bone density.
- Muscle Contraction: Calcium ions are essential for muscle cells to contract, including the cardiac muscle that powers your heart. Without sufficient calcium, normal muscle function and heart rhythm would be impaired.
- Nerve Function: Calcium plays a critical role in nerve impulse transmission, helping the brain communicate with the rest of the body.
- Electrolyte Balance: For brands marketed as sports drinks or enhanced waters, calcium and other minerals like magnesium and potassium act as electrolytes. Electrolytes are crucial for regulating fluid balance, blood pressure, and nerve and muscle function, especially during and after physical exertion.
Types of Bottled Water and Their Mineral Content
Understanding the different types of bottled water helps explain why calcium levels vary. The source and treatment process are the defining factors.
- Natural Mineral Water: Sourced from geologically and physically protected underground water sources, this water contains a constant and naturally occurring mineral composition. The mineral content, including calcium, is inherent to the source and must be stable over time to be labeled as natural mineral water.
- Purified Water: This water has been processed to remove almost all dissolved solids. Methods like reverse osmosis or distillation are used. Manufacturers then add a specific amount of minerals back in, a process called remineralization, to control taste and nutrient content.
- Spring Water: Collected from an underground formation from which water flows naturally to the surface. It can have a wide range of natural mineral content depending on the geology of the spring.
Comparison of Water Types
| Feature | Purified Water (with Remineralization) | Natural Mineral Water | Tap Water (Hard) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mineral Source | Added by manufacturer after filtration | Naturally present from the source | From natural rock formations |
| Taste Consistency | Very consistent due to controlled addition | Varies based on the specific spring | Varies based on local source and treatment |
| Calcium Bioavailability | Excellent, as minerals are dissolved | Excellent, as minerals are dissolved | Good, but can vary by composition |
| Control over Content | High control; can add specific nutrients | None; mineral composition is natural | Governed by municipal water quality standards |
| pH Level | Can be adjusted to neutral or alkaline | Varies, can be naturally alkaline | Typically neutral, but can vary |
| Impurities | Very few, removed by purification | Very few, protected underground source | Varies, but treated to be safe for consumption |
Conclusion
The practice of adding calcium to bottled water is a deliberate strategy to achieve multiple goals: enhancing flavor, restoring minerals lost during purification, and providing a convenient source of this essential nutrient. While the body's primary source of calcium should come from a balanced diet, bottled water can serve as a supplementary source, particularly for individuals who struggle to meet their daily intake through food alone. The decision to drink calcium-fortified water comes down to personal preference for taste and a desire for specific health benefits, especially compared to demineralized purified water. It's a key reason why some bottled waters taste different, and often better, than others. More research on the health benefits can be found via the National Institutes of Health.
Why do they put calcium in bottled water? Reasons summarized:
- Taste Enhancement: Added minerals, including calcium, prevent bottled water from tasting 'flat' or 'dead', instead giving it a balanced and pleasant flavor profile that consumers prefer.
- Remineralization: In purified waters, like those treated with reverse osmosis, minerals are stripped out. Calcium is added back to restore a balanced mineral content and pH.
- Nutritional Contribution: Bottled water can serve as a convenient source of calcium, helping to supplement daily intake for bone health, muscle function, and nerve health.
- Electrolyte Replacement: In sports-focused or electrolyte-enhanced waters, calcium acts as a key electrolyte to help with rehydration and maintaining body fluid balance.
- Bioavailability: Calcium in dissolved form within water is highly bioavailable, meaning it can be easily absorbed and utilized by the body.
