Monday, December 21, 2009

What is mineral water?

Eastern peoples reverently refer to water, considering it one of the main elements of the universe. The local sages believe that the water from local springs relaxes, soothes, relieves irritation, fever and aggression. 
History of the use of mineral water has many hundreds of years. 

In ancient times the Greeks constructed from local springs sanctuary dedicated to the god Asclepius (the Romans in similar places erected temples in honor of Aesculapius) - the patron of medicine. In Greece, archaeologists discovered the ruins of ancient spas, built around the VI century BC The remains of ancient baths and we have found in the Caucasus, where not only swim, but were treated with mineral waters. From generation to generation by oral tradition about the miraculous properties of the waters, here hitting out of the ground. 

History of the study and use of mineral waters of Russia with the name of Peter I, 285 years ago, commanded by his decree sought in Russia key water. In his order on Martsialny (iron) waters in Olonetsk province of Karelia, was built first hydropathic resort in Russia. In 1803 Alexander I was recognized national importance of the Caucasian mineral waters and began to study their medicinal properties. In 1825 was published the Russian chemist G. Hess, who studied the chemical composition and effect of Russian curative waters. 

Mineral water - it is rainwater, which for many centuries or even millennia ago, had gone deep into the ground, seeping through the crevices and pores of different layers of rock. At the same time it absorbed various mineral substances in the rock. From just a natural water from subterranean sources and the open water mineral water are different composition. The deeper they occur, the warmer and richer in carbon dioxide and minerals. In addition, the deeper the water penetrates into the rock, the more it is cleared. 

In such water mineral substances accumulate naturally as far as passing it through geological formations. Thus, mineral water - the water is primarily groundwater sources. 

It should be clearly distinguished drinking and mineral water. 
In accordance with the Codex Alimentarius - the main UN food standards - these differences are as follows: 


Mineral water is extracted from natural springs or boreholes, without external influence on the chemical and physical properties of natural mineral water; 

the presence of mineral salts in the water in certain proportions and the presence of trace substances and other constituents; 

collection of water is carried out in conditions which ensure its original microbiological purity and stable chemical composition of its existing components. 


Someone said that the mineral water capricious and require delicate handling, they are softer precious wines. Indeed, the water from the source must be very carefully lift from the deep bowels of the earth, and then packed into a convenient and safe packaging, to keep unchanged the unique program, which is implanted in her nature. 

Mineral water is better absorbed by the body, and bypassing the stomach, reacts with gastric juice, the carbon dioxide released and stimulates the secretory activity of the stomach. Increases appetite and mood. That is why those same Frenchmen on the dining table next to the bread is certainly worth a bottle of water. 

They are trying to quench thirst and mineral water. Thirst can also occur in healthy people when they lose water, especially in summer. And with the loss of water and we lose a certain amount of salt. Compensate for this loss is best mineral water. 

Today, Russia is going through literally the mineral boom. According to Goskomstat in Russia at present registered over 700 names of mineral water. However, in spite of that on the consumption of mineral water per capita, we significantly lag behind the industrialized countries. According to statistics, the average European today is about 100 liters of mineral water per year. Thus, the Austrian drinks 72 liters a year, the Frenchman - 80 liters, Italian - 116 liters, and in one German is about 129 liters of mineral water per year. Russians drink 10 liters per year of mineral water. However, analysts say, is the amount of twice during the Soviet Union. 

mineral water market is estimated at 1.2 billion liters per year. Annual market growth is around 10-15%. 
And while it should be noted that the consumption of mineral water is becoming increasingly popular.