Hate Plain Water? Stay Hydrated with Sparkling or Mineral Water

Hydration regulates your body temperature, delivers nutrients to cells, maintains the functions of your organs, and lubricates your joints. When you drink enough water, you may notice an improvement in your mood, cognition, and sleep quality.

Although experts once recommended eight glasses of water per day, the guidance has shifted to about 11 glasses for women and 16 glasses for men each day. You can also base your hydration needs off your body weight by drinking one-half to one ounce of water per pound of body weight every day. If you weigh 150 pounds, that will amount to drinking 75-150 ounces of water per day.

Related: Eat (and Drink) Your Way to Hydration

When it comes to staying hydrated, plain water isn’t for everyone. If you hate the taste of plain water, try reaching for a bottle of sparkling or mineral water instead.

Sparkling water

Sparkling water is a combination of still water and carbon dioxide, which produces a pleasant bubbling sensation when you drink it. It’s also known as seltzer water and may be used as an ingredient in mixed drinks, such as those that combine fruit juice or other ingredients to create a tasty finished product.

When carbon dioxide meets plain water, the bubbles make the drink carbonated without altering the taste. Sparkling water tastes clean and pure because the water used to make it goes through a filtration process.

For many people, sipping sparkling water is much more appealing than drinking plain, flat water. The effervescence, or bubbles, adds a little something extra to your afternoon hydration session.
Since sparkling water doesn’t contain anything but water and carbon dioxide, it provides the necessary hydration without adding calories or other fillers. Try your next bottle with a twist of lemon or lime or add a splash of sparkling water to your next batch of pancakes to enhance the texture.

Mineral water

Mineral water comes from natural springs and includes some of the essential minerals that the human body needs to survive. These minerals might include calcium, magnesium, and potassium. In order to qualify as mineral water, the liquid must contain at least 250 parts of dissolved minerals to every one million water units.

Although it does occur naturally, some varieties of mineral water are effervescent due to the presence of natural gases. Mineral water has a slight yet distinctive flavor that sets it apart from filtered water that has little to no flavor, and the taste may also differ depending on the amount of included minerals. Some people enjoy mixing mineral water with lemon juice and a touch of sugar, as the citrus flavor can enhance the mineral taste in the water.

Both sparkling water and mineral water are good for your body. When it contains magnesium, mineral water can help to regulate circulation, lower blood pressure, promote digestive health, and strengthen the bones. Sparkling water may even help you feel full, which can reduce unhealthy snacking and promote digestive health. It’s also a good substitute for sugary soda when you’re craving something carbonated.

Flavored water

Another drink of choice for many people is flavored water, which comes in a range of flavors from various brands. You can also flavor your own water with fruit, vegetables, juice, or other additives. Fruit-infused water can provide certain health benefits. For example, water with a splash of fresh-squeezed orange juice provides your body with some vitamin C, while steeping blackberries in your water provides vitamins C and K, fiber, and manganese.

If you choose the bottled or canned flavored water options, make sure to steer clear of anything that contains high levels of sodium or sugar. Those beverages can add excess calories to your daily intake and cause some of the same health effects as other sugar-laden drinks like soda and fruit juice.

Related: 4 Surprising Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water

Whether you enjoy sipping on plain tap water, sparkling water, or mineral water, you can give your body the hydration it needs. Try adding a little something extra to your next glass of water, like a slice of orange or some grated fresh ginger to amp up the flavor and take advantage of a few more health benefits.