Tuesday, 19 February 2019 / Topics:
With Summer in full swing, it is more important than ever that we drink enough water to prevent dehydration. Even being mildly dehydrated can leave us feeling fatigued, irritable and struggling to concentrate. But, does it matter what type of water we choose to quench our thirst? Is all water created equal?
Types of Water
Soda water is plain water which contains dissolved carbon dioxide. It contains low levels of various salts (less than 10mg/100mL). Carbonation makes soda water slightly more acidic, which can damage tooth enamel if over-consumed.
Mineral water is water containing minerals or other dissolved substances that alter its taste. It can be naturally occurring or manufactured. Most mineral waters contain only a small amount of sodium (less than 10mg/100mL), which means both soda and mineral water is suitable on a low-salt diet. However, mineral water has be shown to be less detrimental to tooth enamel, as the dissolved minerals (ie. calcium) form a buffer against the acidity of carbonation.
Coconut water is the slightly-sweet, refreshing fluid from inside young, green coconuts. Plain coconut water contains about 4-6g of sugar per 100mL which is less than half that of the average soft drink. It is quite low in kilojoules (90kJ/100mL), and contains small amounts of sodium (5mg/100mL) and potassium (186mg/100mL).
Our Verdict
Although soda and mineral water can help keep you hydrated, tap water should always be your #1 choice. With added fluoride it will strengthen your tooth enamel for years to come! If you’re looking for something different, coconut water can be a more ‘natural’ alternative to quench your thirst and replace electrolytes compared to formulated drinks, but it is not a super drink with super hydration powers!
