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What water should I drink? How to choose the right one.
We choose what water to drink every day, but not all waters are the same. Understanding the options and reading the mineral composition correctly helps you make a more informed choice.
Three options for the water you drink
01
Tap water
Pros: generally safe, inexpensive, monitored and with a limited environmental impact.
Keep in mind: you cannot choose the mineral profile of the water in your area. Taste can vary too, and old household plumbing can affect quality at the tap.
02
Bottled water
Pros: you can choose the water that best suits your preferences and habits by comparing mineral composition, taste and carbonation.
Keep in mind: it costs more and involves packaging, transport and the need for proper storage.
03
Filtered water
Pros: some systems can improve taste or reduce specific substances in tap water.
Keep in mind: effectiveness can decline with use: filters and cartridges wear out and must be replaced and maintained correctly.
Bottled mineral water adds one more possibility: choosing knowingly between different compositions, declared on the label. That is exactly what h2oMatch does, comparing mineral profiles against your preferences and habits.
Three well-known waters. Three very different mineral profiles.
Lauretana, San Pellegrino and Ferrarelle are well-known Italian mineral waters, yet their calcium, magnesium, sodium, bicarbonate and fixed residue differ considerably. See how much.
Italian example. All values in mg/L.
Lauretana
Very low mineral content
- Calcium
- 1
- Magnesium
- 0.4
- Sodium
- 0.9
- Bicarbonate
- 4.9
- Fixed residue
- 14
San Pellegrino
Intermediate mineral profile
- Calcium
- 174
- Magnesium
- 49.6
- Sodium
- 31
- Bicarbonate
- 252
- Fixed residue
- 862
Ferrarelle
Rich in calcium and bicarbonate
- Calcium
- 400
- Magnesium
- 23
- Sodium
- 50
- Bicarbonate
- 1,500
- Fixed residue
- 1,328
The bars compare the three waters for each parameter, using a common scale within each row.
The point: Lauretana is very light; San Pellegrino contains notable amounts of magnesium; Ferrarelle stands out for calcium and bicarbonate. No profile is automatically better for everyone.
Understanding the label
How to choose a mineral water to drink
Five parameters help you understand the differences. None of them, on its own, tells the whole story of the composition.
Calcium (Ca)
Contributes to your dietary calcium intake. If you want to increase it through water, look for a higher concentration in mg/L.
Magnesium (Mg)
Plays a part in normal muscle and nerve function. Waters richer in magnesium can contribute to your daily intake.
Sodium (Na)
An electrolyte found in widely varying concentrations. If you want to limit it, compare the mg/L, remembering that food is often the main source.
Bicarbonate (HCO₃)
Shapes the chemical profile of the water and can influence its taste. Read it together with the other minerals, without automatically attributing therapeutic effects to it.
Fixed residue
Shows the amount of mineral substances left after evaporation at 180°C. The higher it is, the more mineralized the water; a lower value does not necessarily mean a better water.
Other parameters worth knowing
- Fluoride: Contributes to dental health, but high amounts call for attention, especially in children.
- Sulfates: Affect taste and, at high concentrations, can have a laxative effect in sensitive people.
- Nitrates: A parameter worth checking, particularly important for waters used to prepare infant food.
Explore the Italian rankings
Reference values
How are mineral waters classified?
The first seven indications are based on EU labelling criteria; the last one concerns a specific Italian requirement for waters intended for infants.
- Very low mineral content
- ≤ 50 mg/L
- Low mineral content
- ≤ 500 mg/L
- Rich in mineral salts
- > 1,500 mg/L
- Contains calcium
- > 150 mg/L
- Contains magnesium
- > 50 mg/L
- Contains bicarbonate
- > 600 mg/L
- Suitable for a low-sodium diet
- < 20 mg/L
- Water intended for infants: nitrates
- < 10 mg/L
For the first three indications, the values refer to fixed residue; for the others, to the parameters listed. For nitrates, the Italian legal limit is a maximum of 10 mg/L: the value shown is more cautious, and it is not an EU category. Nitrates alone do not determine whether a water is suitable for infants: also check the specific authorized indication on the label.
References: Directive 2009/54/EC, Annex III; Italian rules for mineral waters intended for infant feeding. EUR-Lex
Habits and needs
Which water for your lifestyle?
Physical activity and sweating
If you sweat a lot, drinking a more mineralized water can help replace part of the salts lost, together with your diet. Which electrolytes it contains matters too, not just the fixed residue.
Women and older adults
At certain stages of life, paying attention to calcium intake can be useful. A calcium-rich water adds to the amount you get from your diet, especially if other calcium sources are limited.
If you prefer less sodium
A low-sodium water reduces the amount you get from drinks. Compare the values on the label, remembering that most dietary sodium comes from food.
Important: h2oMatch provides general information, not medical advice. If you have a medical condition, specific nutritional needs or prescribed restrictions, consult a doctor or healthcare professional.
Your turn
Choose the country where you buy your water. You can change it at any time.
Which mineral water might suit you best?
Now you know the main differences. Answer five simple questions about taste, physical activity and habits: h2oMatch will look for a first match among the waters available in Italy in our database.
5 questions · Free · No sign-up
FAQ
What water should I drink every day?
For most people, safe tap water is a good everyday choice. If you prefer bottled mineral water, consider taste and composition in light of your preferences and habits, without treating any single value as decisive.
Is tap water or mineral water better?
There is no answer that fits everyone. Tap water is generally safe, inexpensive and sustainable; mineral water lets you choose a specific composition, with a cost and an impact linked to packaging and transport.
What is the difference between low-mineral water and water rich in mineral salts?
The difference lies in the fixed residue at 180°C: up to 500 mg/L for the low mineral content indication and over 1,500 mg/L for water rich in mineral salts. These are composition categories, not a quality ranking.
What water should I drink when I exercise?
The essential thing is to replace the fluids you lose. During prolonged activity with heavy sweating, it can help to also consider electrolyte intake through food and drinks. A more mineralized water can contribute, but it is not automatically sufficient or preferable in every situation.
Which water should I use to prepare infant food?
Choosing a light water or one low in nitrates is not enough. For bottled mineral water, check for the specific authorized indication for preparing infant food, and follow the formula preparation instructions and your pediatrician's advice.