All living things need water to survive, and not only to fight thirst and feel hydrated, but what we should know about water is that it also provides vital nutrients that the body does not produce on its own.

But have you ever thought about knowing the source of the water in a bottle of mineral water?

And did you know that there is a difference between mineral and spring water, pure and artesian water, as well as treated tap water?

Which of these types are best for your health?

Whether you are one of those who prefer to choose bottled mineral water or you use tap water, you should know the advantages and differences of the types of water that you drink daily.

A tour in the world of drinking water

If you want to compare regular and mineral waters, there is a lot of evidence emerging from the analysis of an enormous number of different types of water, indicating that the differences are not very large.

Both types contain minerals and undergo some form of treatment, however;

Mineral water should contain a certain amount of minerals, and here are some of the differences between tap water and mineral water.

All types of drinking water undergo some form of treatment (Getty Images)

Tap water

The water in household faucets comes from either surface or underground sources, and is subject to several environmental standards to reduce pollutants in the water that is provided to homes.

Public water suppliers transport the water from its source to treatment plants, where it undergoes chemical disinfection.

The clean water is ultimately delivered to the homes through an underground piping system.

Tap water contains added minerals, including calcium, magnesium and potassium, and unfiltered tap water may also contain a higher level of minerals, which some consider healthier.

However, minerals in hard water form deposits that can corrode pipes.

Despite local efforts in each country to clean drinking water pipes, pollutants and mineral deposits may lead to pipe corrosion, which undoubtedly seeps into drinking water.

Bottled mineral water

Mineral water comes from natural aquifers, which gives it a higher mineral content than tap water.

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), mineral water should contain at least 250 parts per million of total dissolved solids.

The US Food and Drug Administration bans bottlers from adding minerals to their products.

Minerals - often found in mineral waters - include calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, iron and zinc.

And unlike tap water, mineral water is bottled at the source.

Some people prefer mineral water because of its remarkable purity and lack of chemical cleansing.

However, mineral water may undergo some treatment, and this may include adding or removing proportions of carbon dioxide (CO2) or removing toxic substances such as arsenic.

Carbon dioxide also helps prevent oxidation and limits the growth of bacteria in mineral water, which naturally obtains carbon dioxide from the source, and some manufacturers may also try to pump carbon dioxide into the water after extraction.

Spring water

According to the US Food and Drug Administration definition, spring water is "derived from an underground formation, from which water naturally flows to the surface of the earth in a specific place, called a spring."

Spring water is considered almost tasteless compared to mineral water or treated tap water commercially. Therefore, many people prefer it for the advantage that it is tasteless, believing that it is pure and free of all kinds of contaminants.

However, the cleanliness of a bottle of spring water is due to its source, and the keenness of the party responsible for filling the cleanliness of the filling bottles.

Artesian water

Artesian water is the water produced from what is called an artesian well, which is a unit of rock below the surface that carries the water and transfers it under sufficient pressure to push it to the top of the well, but artesian water does not have special chemical or medicinal properties.

Pure water

Purified water is another type of bottled water that has been filtered or undergone a disinfection process using ozone, but it is a process that leaves a strange taste in the water, much like tap water in your kitchen.

Mineral water also comes from a geologically protected underground source, but it differs from spring water, because mineral water contains "a constant level of minerals at the point of exit from the source", which is why the different types of mineral water taste slightly different.

Mineral water also comes from a geologically protected underground source (Pixabay).

The benefits of mineral water

Both bottled mineral water and tap water can be a source of magnesium;

As this element plays an essential role in regulating blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

The amount of magnesium in water can range from 1 milligram per liter to more than 120 milligrams per liter, and the daily recommended rate of magnesium is 310-320 milligrams for an adult female and 400-420 milligrams for an adult male.

Magnesium deficiency may cause loss of appetite, fatigue, muscle cramps, mood changes, and an irregular heartbeat.

Mineral water hazards

Mineral water is generally safe to drink, but little research indicates the negative health effects associated with drinking regular mineral water.

Where mineral water and other bottled water may contain some pollutants, as mineral water cannot undergo the same disinfection process as tap water, because it is bottled at the source, and thus the percentage of microbes in it can vary.

Many plastic containers may contain bisphenol A or Bisphenol A, as well as microplastics, but researchers have confirmed that this percentage does not pose a safety risk.

Carbonated water may have a lower pH than regular water, making it slightly acidic, according to a recent study.

And on the other hand;

Sparkling water (with added soda carbonate) significantly reduces the hardness of enamel on the teeth, but not to the same extent as sugar-sweetened beverages such as soft drinks.