Scientists have proven again and again, that the ideal bottled water should be rich in minerals and have a low sodium content. [1] The two minerals of interest? Calcium and magnesium. This article compares popular US bottled water brands with one goal in mind: find the healthiest one. After reading this, you will have no doubt as to what bottled water to buy.
High-mineral water is the most healthy water. Vichy Springs, Canada Geese, and Utopia mineral waters show the highest minerals among US bottled water brands. 4 glasses of Vichy Springs mineral water supply 16% of daily calcium and 12% of daily magnesium.
Let’s find out what studies say and then find the best waters out there.
1. The Best Water To Drink: Spring & Mineral Water
Drinking water, tap and bottled, has been replacing sugar-sweetened beverages in the US diet over the past 5 years. [2]
What water you choose can make a big difference for your health.
Daily consumption of water high in minerals may provide over 40% of the recommended daily intake for calcium and magnesium. [3]
Drinking those waters helps achieve an adequate daily intake of those minerals. [4]
When we talk about water high in minerals, we mean water labeled “spring water” and “mineral water”. Both contain higher amounts of magnesium and calcium. [5]
The taste of water is important to you?
Studies show that water high in calcium, magnesium, sulfate and bicarbonate tastes best to most people. [6]
The amount of scientific studies done on the topic of water is massive. This article is based on a study and compares calcium and magnesium contents of 37 common North American bottled waters.
You can find a summary of the key studies on drinking water in our article:
The Better Water To Drink | Healthiest & Best In Taste
Let’s take a look at the best bottled waters highest in calcium now.
2. Bottled Water Ranking: Highest In Calcium
From a scientific standpoint, it has been crystal clear for decades what water is healthiest for our bodies: Water high in minerals. [7]; [8]; [9]; [10]; [11]
Spring and mineral water contain high levels of calcium and magnesium. Some mineral waters may provide 28% of the recommended daily intake for calcium. [12]; [13]; [14]
The best bottled waters for calcium (1L = 4 glasses)
- Canada Geese, Canada; 282 mg/L; 28% DV
- Vichy Springs, CA; 157 mg/L; 16% DV
- Lithia Springs, CA; 120 mg/L; 12% DV
- Utopia, TX; 76 mg/L; 8% DV
- Mountain Valley, AR; 68 mg/L; 7% DV
- Zephyrhills, FL; 52 mg/L; 5% DV
- Pure Spring Water, GA; 49 mg/L; 5% DV
- Naya, Canada; 38 mg/L; 4% DV
- La Croix, WI; 37 mg/L; 4% DV
- Caddo Valley, AR; 36 mg/L; 4% DV
- Black Mountain, CA; 25 mg/L; 3% DV
- Clairval, Canada; 20 mg/L; 2% DV
- Arrowhead, CA; 20 mg/L; 2% DV
- Ozarka, TX; 18 mg/L; 2% DV
We found negligible amounts < 2% DV in these brands: Canadian Spring, Canada; Montclair, Canada; Crystal Geyser, CA; Mount Olympus, UT; Calistoga, CA; Hawaiian Springs, Hawaii; Carolina Mountain, NC; Sparkletts, CA; Cobb Mountain, CA; A Santé, CA; Adobe Springs, CA; Montellier, Canada; Talking Rain, WA; Georgia Mountain Water, GA; Alhambra, CA; Deer Park, ME; Great Bear, NY; Crystal Geyser Alpine, CA; Poland Spring, ME; Pure Hawaiian, Hawaii; Sierra, CA; Talawanda Spring, OH.
Benefits of drinking bottled water high in calcium:
- 1 Liter (4 glasses) of the high calcium bottled water brands compared in this article provide up to 28% of the recommended daily intake for calcium.
- Minerals in spring and mineral water can easily be absorbed. The bioavailability of minerals from mineral water is good and can be compared with that of milk. [15]; [16]; [17]; [18]; [19]
- Spring and Mineral water help keep our bones healthy. Studies show beneficial effects on bone biomarkers and bone densitometric parameters.[20]; [21]; [22]; [23]
- Water high in minerals could be useful in the treatment of osteoporosis. [24]
- A one-month intake of mineral water rich in calcium, magnesium bicarbonate, and sulfate decreased cholesterol and LDL levels dyslipidemic adults. [25]
- Mineral water intake reduces blood pressure among subjects with low urinary magnesium and calcium levels. [26]
- Especially in aged people with lactose intolerance, mineral waters are recommended to achieve optimal calcium requirements. [27]
- Water low in calcium, is associated with a higher risk of fracture in children, certain neurodegenerative diseases, pre-term birth and low weight at birth and some types of cancer. [28]
Can’t find your favorite bottled water here? Check out Consumer Report’s Water database and look up the calcium & magnesium content.
Conclusion: Water high in minerals provides health benefits for most people. However, high calcium water is especially important for people who are vegan, lactose-intolerant or don’t eat dairy for other reasons.
3. Bottled Water Ranking: Highest In Magnesium
Magnesium is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. It helps to maintain normal nerve and muscle function, supports a healthy immune system, keeps the heartbeat steady, and keeps bones strong.
It also helps adjust blood glucose levels and aids in the production of energy and protein. [29]
The best bottled waters for magnesium (1L = 4 glasses)
- Adobe Springs, CA; 96; 24% DV
- Vichy Springs, CA; 48; 12% DV
- La Croix, WI; 22; 6% DV
- Naya, Canada; 20; 5% DV
- Utopia, TX; 17; 4% DV
- Montclair, Canada; 12; 3% DV
- Canada Geese, Canada; 10; 3% DV
- Mountain Valley, AR; 8; 2% DV
- Lithia Springs, CA; 7; 2% DV
- Zephyrhills, FL; 7; 2% DV
- Clairval, Canada; 7; 2% DV
- Crystal Geyser Alpine, CA; 6; 2% DV
We found negligible amounts < 2% DV in these brands: Arrowhead, CA; Sparkletts, CA; Pure Spring Water, GA; Caddo Valley, AR; Canadian Spring, Canada; Crystal Geyser, CA; Hawaiian Springs, Hawaii; Montellier, Canada; Mount Olympus, UT; Cobb Mountain, CA; Talking Rain, WA; Poland Spring, ME; Black Mountain, CA; Ozarka, TX; Calistoga, CA; A Santé, CA; Alhambra, CA; Deer Park, ME; Great Bear, NY; Carolina Mountain, NC; Georgia Mountain Water, GA; Pure Hawaiian, Hawaii; Sierra, CA; Talawanda Spring, OH.
Benefits of drinking bottled water high in magnesium:
- Many studies show that water high in magnesium is related to decreased risks for cardiovascular disease, especially for sudden death from cardiovascular disease. [30]
- 1 Liter (4 glasses) of the highest magnesium bottled water brands researched in this article provide up to 24% of the recommended daily intake for magnesium.
- Minerals in spring and mineral water can easily be absorbed. The bioavailability of minerals from mineral water is good and can be compared with that of milk. [31]; [32]; [33]; [34]; [35]
- A one-month intake of mineral water rich in calcium, magnesium bicarbonate, and sulfate decreased cholesterol and LDL levels dyslipidemic adults. [36]
- Mineral water intake reduces blood pressure among subjects with low urinary magnesium and calcium levels. [37]
- Water low in magnesium may be associated with a higher risk of motor neuronal disease, pregnancy disorders, sudden death in infants, and some types of cancer. [38]
- Strenuous exercise may increase magnesium requirements by 10-20%. [39]
- Consuming 300 mg magnesium per day may prevent or delay the age-related decline in physical performance. [40]
Conclusion: Magnesium is an essential mineral for human nutrition. Achieving daily requirements is especially important for aged people and people who exercise regularly. Habitual consumption of mineral water high in magnesium may contribute a large portion of magnesium we need each day.
4. Bottled Water To Avoid: Brands High In Sodium
Sodium is an essential nutrient and is needed to maintain body fluid volume and blood pressure.
There are no clearly defined ranges provided for safe sodium intake, however, the estimated minimum daily requirement for healthy adults is 500 mg/day. [41]; [42]
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (USDA 2000) recommend 2.4 g/day.
For drinking water, the EPA Advisory (Environmental Protection Agency) recommends reducing sodium concentrations in drinking water to between 30 and 60 mg/L. [43]
The primary health concern related with sodium is hypertension.
Sodium restriction seems to be the most beneficial in lowering blood pressure for older persons who are only mildly hypertensive and are not overweight. For people with restricted sodium intake, the EPA has put out a guidance level.
Sodium in drinking water: 20 mg/L. [44]
The following list shows common and popular North American bottled water with high to very high amounts of sodium (150-680 mg/L). People with restricted sodium intake should be aware of the sodium content in these bottled water brands.
- Lithia Springs, CA
- Montclair, Canada
- Montellier, Canada
- Crystal Geyser, CA
- A Santé, CA
- Calistoga, CA
5. Top 30 Bottled Waters Highest In Calcium & Magnesium
We combined our findings from above to determine what bottled water has the very best mineral profile, or in other words, what bottled water is healthiest.
These are our Top 30 healthiest US bottled water brands:
- Vichy Springs, CA
- Canada Geese, Canada
- Utopia, TX
- La Croix, WI
- Lithia Springs, CA
- Naya, Canada
- Mountain Valley, AR
- Zephyrhills, FL
- Montclair, Canada
- Pure Spring Water, GA
- Clairval, Canada
- Adobe Springs, CA
- Arrowhead, CA
- Caddo Valley, AR
- Canadian Spring, Canada
- Crystal Geyser, CA
- Black Mountain, CA
- Sparkletts, CA
- Hawaiian Springs, Hawaii
- Mount Olympus, UT
- Ozarka, TX
- Crystal Geyser Alpine, CA
- Cobb Mountain, CA
- Calistoga, CA
- Montellier, Canada
- Talking Rain, WA
- A Santé, CA
- Carolina Mountain, NC
- Poland Spring, ME
- Alhambra, CA