[Assessment of mineral bottled water as a source of selected minerals among students].

BACKGROUND

Given the range of natural mineral waters, natural spring waters and table waters, and their degree of mineralization (from low to the high), it can be assumed that they will become increasingly important as a source of minerals in everyday diet.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was the assessment of the amount of bottled waters consumption as well as contained selected minerals in waters among female students.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Study was conducted among 18-26 years old students from Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW) and Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw (UKSW) (50 female from each), from May to October 2010 year. The study was performed by using the questionnaire concerned habitual consumption of bottled waters. Intake of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, silicon, chlorine and fluorine, as the major components of water declared on the label packaging, was also estimated.

RESULTS

Almost 40% of respondents consumed four glasses of water a day, about 24% - 2 glasses, about 24% - 3 glasses, 11% - 1 glass, but it was mainly low- and medium-mineralized water. The average daily intake of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chlorine and fluorine in the study population was respectively: 64.1, 26.5, 14.3, 1.9, 5.4, and 0.1 mg per person. Intake of silicon was 14, 4 mg/person/day. Among minerals only calcium and magnesium intake with waters was comparatively significant (6% and 8% of reference values, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Bottled waters were not a significant source of minerals, but they can be a valuable addition to daily diet. There is a need to promote the drinking of natural mineral waters, spring waters and table waters, especially highly-mineralized and low-sodium waters as a source of well-absorbed minerals.