Chloride

Chloride (Cl) tastes salty and a bit bitter.

Chloride, along with other minerals, affects the osmotic pressure in the cells and the balance of the body's acid-alkaline balance.

Combined with hydrogen, it forms the hydrochloric acid in the stomach and thus promotes digestion.

If the body lacks chloride, symptoms include stomach acid disorder, diarrhea. Chloride as an ingredient in gastric juice ensures the balance of acids and alkalis.

Chloride deficiency can be manifested in muscle spasms or heart dysfunction.

Food that contains this element the most.

Fluoride

Fluoride (F) has a sweet and soapy taste and it plays a very important role in bone and tooth structure.

Fluoride naturally occurring in water can be above, at, or below recommended levels.

Fluoride remains in the teeth and can inhibit dental caries. It also increases bone density.

The result of fluoride deficiency may be brittle bones and bad teeth.

Caution: too much unhealthy. Children and adolescents need fluoride for growing teeth, but they should not be consumed too much. Therefore, the legislator has laid down an appropriate reference to the labeling of mineral waters with a fluoride content of more than 1.5 mg/l. For children under 7 years of age, it is not recommended to drink such water every day for prolonged periods.

Fluoride tends to be concentrated also in tea, coffee, shellfish, spinach, grapes, raisins, carrots, wine, cucumber, dill herb, tomatoes, asparagus, beans, peas, white rice, and potatoes.

It is important to understand that natural fluoride and synthetic industrial fluoride is quite a different substance.

Food that contains this element the most.

Hydrogen Carbonate

Hydrogen carbonate (HCO3), also called bicarbonate, tastes light, soap-like.

It has an alkaline effect, and it can improve the body's acid-alkaline balance, i.e., bicarbonate is able to bond the stomach acid.

Hydrogen carbonate can help with various digestive problems. Water with high bicarbonate content gently relieves heartburn and may reduce inflammation of the gastric mucosa.

Hydrogen carbonate is not a mineral, but is the salt of carbonic acid, and is present in each mineral water.

Thanks to the acid-neutralizing effect, it not only delivers a pleasantly neutral and natural flavor to mineral water but also improves the body's acid-alkali balance.

Potassium

Potassium (K) provides water balance in the body.

It tastes a bit salty and bitter.

Potassium plays an important role in the regulation of fluid and acid-alkaline balance.

Potassium activates various enzymes and is especially important for heart and muscle activity.

Potassium is up to 98% in the body cells.

Potassium deficiency causes muscle weakness, decreased blood pressure, disturbances in heart rate, loss of appetite, and constipation.

A good recommendation for active athletes is to consume potassium-rich waters.

Potassium regulates cardiac and muscle activity relaxes muscles and nerves. Together with sodium, it helps to maintain the balance of water in the body.

When eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, and milk, you can take the necessary 2 grams of potassium daily.

Food that contains this element the most.

Sodium

Sodium (Na) has a salty taste.

Combined with chloride and potassium sodium regulates fluid balance in the body, it is necessary for nerve and muscle activity, for the activation of enzymes.

Most often sodium is taken with salt-containing products.

Every day you need 3000 mg of sodium and 3000 mg of chloride. Athletes need more sodium.

Sodium deficiency can cause weakness and seizures, even up to the circulatory collapse, especially in sports.

Caution: Sodium is not the same as cooking salt.

If there is a lot of physical activity, the amount of sodium needed per day may increase.

We often hear alerts on sodium overdoses, usually associated with salt in the diet. The cooking salt is a chemical compound - sodium chloride.

Mineral waters typically contain sodium in the form of sodium bicarbonate and only very small amounts such as sodium chloride.

If you are considering a low salt diet, use mineral water with low sodium content.

Food that contains this element the most.

Nitrit

Nitrite (NO2). Nitrites enter the human body in two ways: by direct content or by nitrates, which in the digestive tract (mainly in the oral cavity, also the stomach or intestine), are converted into nitrites by the action of the enzyme nitrate reductase.

The presence of nitrites indicates the contamination of water.

In the European Union, the permissible daily dose of nitrites is 0.1 mg/kg of mass (in terms of sodium nitrite)

Nitrat

Nitrate (NO3). The presence of nitrates indicates water pollution.

Nitrates in water may also be of natural origin, without chemical pollution of water. Geologists have observed that naturally, nitrate levels can be up to 15mg / l.

A small amount of nitrates is found even in waters where they should not seem to be. For example, in glacial waters, where hundreds of kilometers of economic activity do not occur.

We ingest nitrates with food or drinking water. They are harmless to adults without intestinal problems if the limit values are not exceeded.

Compared to tap water, mineral waters are mostly low in nitrate. Mineral waters are more protected from environmental effects, such as fertilizers and other chemicals, as sources are usually deep underground and are regularly tested.

The nitrate limits are:

• 0-1 mg / l - superior,
• 1-4 mg / l - very good,
• 4-7 mg / l - well,
• 7-10 mg / l - acceptable,
• 10-50 mg / l - within the normal range.

But if NO3 and NO2 pollution is not indicated on the bottle, it does not mean that it is not there.

Sulfate

Sulfate (SO4) has a slightly salty and bitter taste.

Sulfate plays an important role in the fat metabolism and liver detoxification process. It helps to improve digestion, stimulates intestinal and biliary function.

High sulfate mineral waters can stimulate digestion. It acts as a lightweight laxative but does not addict. Those who regularly use sulfate-containing mineral water naturally stimulate intestinal activity and prevent the onset of constipation.

When used with magnesium and calcium, the effect of sulfate can be increased.