Drinking magnesium enriched water is one of today’s healthy lifestyle trends. This mineral is one of the most important macronutrients in the human body helping the body to increase energy, strengthen the immune system, regulate blood sugar level and maintain normal nervous system and muscle function. The positive effect of magnesium on the human body is also confirmed by many studies conducted by scientists.
In this article we will talk about magnesium water, its advantages/disadvantages as well as modern technologies for making magnesium water.
Magnesium water, its benefits
Magnesium is the fourth most common mineral ion in seawater, its content is up to 1300 mg/l. In surface and underground waters the concentration of magnesium is lower usually reaching a few tens of milligrams per liter. The magnesium content in well water can reach 100-150 mg/l while in groundwater and surface water it is usually not higher than 50 mg/l. The maximum permissible concentration (MPC) of magnesium for centralized water supply systems and other sources of drinking water are not specified (magnesium side effects at sufficiently high concentrations are not known).
It has been determined that the daily norm of magnesium required by the body is between 360 and 420 mg (depending on the person’s gender and age). Taking at least 2 l of water containing 30 mg/l of magnesium provides about 14-17% of the magnesium daily norm.
There is a lot of scientific evidence for the positive effects of magnesium. Further we will consider the main aspects of the human health affecting by magnesium.
PREVENTION OF HEART AND VASCULAR DISEASES
There are many studies linking the magnesium content of the water to the prevalence of cardiovascular disease. It has been shown that people who live in areas with low level of magnesium in their water are more likely to die from coronary heart disease than people who get enough magnesium. Several scientists claim that consumption of the water with a magnesium content of 10-100 mg/l can prevent mortality from cardiovascular diseases up to 30-35% (about 4.5 million) of people.
PREVENTION OF DIABETES
High magnesium content diet promotes lower risk of diabetes. This is due to the involvement of magnesium in glucose metabolism. Diabetes mellitus increases the release of magnesium and its deficiency adversely affects the synthesis of insulin. For this reason people with diabetes are recommended to take magnesium extra.
PREVENTION OF OSTEOPOROSIS
Magnesium is involved in the formation of bone tissue as well as in the synthesis of the active form of parathyroid hormone and vitamin D which are among the main regulators of bone health. One study conducted by scientists demonstrated a direct relationship between the intake of 290 mg of magnesium per day and a reduction in bone resorption (destruction of bone tissue).
MIGRAINES
Lack of magnesium in the human body can cause migraines. According to the American Academy of Neurology getting enough magnesium can reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks.
CANCER PREVENTION
Another assumption of scientists is that the water of medium hardness with calcium and magnesium salts can reduce the possibility of cancer of the gastrointestinal tract and organs of the genitourinary system. The most obvious reduction are in the possibility of esophageal and ovarian cancer.
In addition, magnesium also has a positive effect on male sexual function, it relieves cramps and has a positive effect on the digestive system and metabolism.
Disadvantages of magnesium water
As we mentioned earlier, international standards do not limit the content of magnesium in the water because it does not have serious side effects and its excess is eliminated by the urogenital system. The magnesium content generally is limited only by the total hardness of the water.
Although magnesium has many advantages, it also has its disadvantages. A high content of magnesium sulfate can be indicated by the bitter taste of the water. Magnesium sulfate has laxative properties and can cause vomiting as well as dehydration.
Which mineral water contains magnesium?
Recently bottled water containing magnesium and other minerals have become popular. The popular Georgian mineral water “Borjomi” with volcanic origin is enriched with 60 different minerals (including magnesium). The Latvian company “Mangaļi” offers several products such as carbonated natural mineral water “Mangaļi” or “Mangaļi PLUS” whose compositions are enriched with mineral salts (incl. magnesium). The Czech mineral water “Magnesia“, which contains 170 mg of magnesium per liter, is also popular in the Latvian market. According to the information provided by the company drinking one 1.5 l bottle provides 68% of the recommended daily dose of magnesium.
Detailed information about the exact magnesium content in mineral water is available on the product label.
How to make magnesium water?
There are several methods of making water with magnesium:
- use of filters with mineralization function;
- adding specialized mineralizing solutions and dry mixes.
1.Filters with mineralization function
REVERSE OSMOSIS
The reverse osmosis system initially demineralizes the water by removing all mineral and organic impurities from it. After membrane purification the water passes through a special filter filled with a mixture of soluble minerals and is saturated with calcium and/or magnesium.
An example of such a filter is Ecosoft P’URE Balance. Thanks to the optimal composition of the mixture in the mineralizer it can provide up to 4-6 mg/l of magnesium and 10-15 mg/l of calcium in the water.
ION EXCHANGE
Ion exchange filters are based on ion exchange resins. Traditional ion exchange technology replaces calcium, magnesium and heavy metal ions in water with sodium or hydrogen. One of the discoveries of the last decade is magnesium ion exchange resins which contain magnesium groups instead of sodium or hydrogen. Accordingly, calcium ions that form scale and toxic heavy metals are replaced by magnesium.
These ion exchange resins have proven themselves well in plain drinking water filters, dispensers and vending machines as well as in the field of hotel and restaurant business. Magnesium improves the taste of the coffee and at the same time prevents the formation of scale in coffee machines and other equipment.
For example, the BWT AQA beverage Magnesium Mineralized Water Protect line is an optimal solution for dispensers and automatic water dispensers. On the other hand, the Bestmax Premium coffee filter line includes a separate magnesium filter.
2.Water mineralization with magnesium
Technologies for bottling water provide dosing of pre-prepared solutions into the water. This method of mineralization allows to ensure any concentration and ratio of magnesium, calcium and other ions in the water, however, this method can only be used for large water production systems as solutions must be changed regularly due to the increased possibility of the reproduction of microorganisms.
Various nutritional supplements are also available for water mineralization at home. For example, crushed coral powders are popular in alternative medicine which release a certain amount of calcium and magnesium when dissolved in the water.
Read also: Is iodized water necessary?
