Bottled water is as an abundant commodity in the U.S. It has been around for many years, and some even claim that bottled water, in a sense, was around thousands of years ago. People in certain areas of the world used to sell bottled water for healing purposes. Today, the benefits of bottled water are still intact. Although some of the benefits are highly evident, there are some benefits of drinking bottled water that you may not be aware of.

Let’s first discuss the benefits that you are aware may know about. In many areas of the world, such as Mexico, tap water is avoided because of the poor taste, and also because it is simply not safe. In these areas, bottled water is the only way that one can drink water. We have all heard the benefits of drinking water in general, and if you are in an area where the water tastes bad, or has been proven to be unhealthy, then bottled water may be your only source of drinking water. In many of these areas, soda is chosen over tap water. With the added caffeine and sugar included in sodas, bottled water is a much safer and healthier choice for a drink. Also, consider that bottled water is a convenient way to consume the daily requirement of water while working, as well as an excellent way to stay hydrated during walking, jogging, or working out.

Another benefit of bottled water is that it could save your life in an emergency, such as a blackout, hurricane, or other natural disaster. If you are caught in a snowstorm, for instance, and unable to reach a safer place, keeping bottled water on hand is a good way to ensure that you do not become dehydrated. If you plan to travel, and are unsure of the water quality in the area in which you are going, bottled water provides a good alternative to drinking questionable water.

There are some little-known facts about water. Currently the bottled water industry is not very well regulated. The International Bottled Water Association holds, as members, less than half of the bottled water providers in the world. If you are purchasing water from an unknown source, and one that does not belong to the IBWA, then it may be harder to determine if that water is indeed safe. At the same time, if your choice of bottled water is certified by the National Sanitation Foundation, then it should be safe to drink. The NSF normally tests for up to 160 chemicals that may be found in water to ensure that bottled water does not contain inorganic and microbiological contaminants.

Now that you know some of the benefits and some things to look for in bottled water, it may be necessary to explain the various types of bottled water.

Spring water is water that comes from an underground source, such as a natural spring. If the water is from a public water supply, it is not spring water. Spring water that is bottled is considered natural water, and as such, it must contain the same properties as the water underground where it is found.

Mineral water is basically the same as spring water, with the exception of the fact that mineral water is expected to contain more than 500 parts per million (ppm) of dissolved solids, while spring water is expected to contain less than 500 ppm.

Carbonated bottled water is simply water with added carbonation. Soda water, seltzer and tonic waters are all included in the classification of carbonated water. Because of the carbonation added, carbonated bottled water is considered more of a soft drink than water.

Next, let’s take a look at the benefits of drinking water in general. You surely have heard that drinking water is essential. In fact, the human body is composed of about ¾ water. The two main reasons for drinking water are to avoid dehydration and for optimal health. Drinking water can help you to control your weight or even lose weight. It can also keep your system flushed of toxins and unwanted chemicals. Simply put, without water we would dehydrate, causing our vital organs to completely shut down, eventually causing death. So the number one benefit of drinking water is to stay alive.

Water enables internal organs to function, keeps our skin looking healthy, increases energy, regulates our body temperature and boosts our immune system. The overall benefits of drinking water are greater than anything else that the human body could possibly consume. Since there are no calories in water, it is also probably the healthiest thing that we can consume. Without the required amount of water during a workout, we would dehydrate, just as we would if we simply did not like the taste of water. Many people believe that water has no taste, but depending on where your water supply comes from, it often does have a taste, and sometimes an unpleasant one.

This leads us back to why drinking bottled water is such a good idea. We need water. Our bodies simply will not survive without it. That being said, there are still many people, even those living in areas with safe drinking water, who simply do not like to drink tap water. Of course, there is always the option of having a water filter installed, but these can be expensive and require a lot of maintenance. Bottled water is the best alternative for someone who does not like to drink tap water. If you opt for mineral water or spring water, the health benefits are even greater, since these types of water come from a natural source.

The key to healthy bottled water is to pay attention to the labels on the bottle. Make sure that the water you are drinking is regulated by one of the water regulation boards, and check to see if there are any additives, such as chemicals or fluoride, which you may not be aware of. Bottled water has many benefits, and is highly recommended as an alternative to tap water.