• In the video: Five more glasses of water a day can add years to your life

In every beverage market we see dozens of brands and types of water in numerous bottled and boxed variants – you quickly lose track. Especially because all of these waters are classified into different government-defined categories.

Below you will find out the differences between the five types of water used for human nutrition in Germany: drinking water, mineral water, spring water, table water and medicinal water.

1. Drinking water (tap water)

Requirements and legal regulations

Drinking water is the most strictly controlled food in Germany. The quality is regulated by the Drinking Water Ordinance. This sets limits for numerous chemical, physical and microbiological parameters to ensure that it can be drunk safely throughout your life. It must be such that it does not cause any health problems. Drinking water usually comes from groundwater, surface water or spring water that is treated accordingly.

Nutritional classification

drinking water As a rule, only provides minerals in small quantities. The focus is on its purity and suitability as a daily drink to meet hydration needs. Mineral levels can vary depending on region and waterworks, but are generally not as high as mineral water.

Suitability for human nutrition

Very suitable as a daily drink.

2. Mineral water

Requirements and legal regulations

According to the Mineral and Table Water Ordinance (MTWVO), mineral water must meet certain criteria:

1. It must have its origins in underground water resources protected from contamination.
2. It must be of original purity.
3. It must have a natural mineralization that distinguishes it from drinking water. There are no fixed minimum values ​​for minerals, but the specific composition must be constant.
4. It is bottled at the source and must be officially recognized.

Nutritional differences

mineral water is characterized by its natural content of various minerals and trace elements (e.g. calcium, magnesium, sodium, sulfate, hydrogen carbonate). The exact composition varies greatly depending on the source and can therefore provide different nutritional benefits. For example, some waters are rich in calcium, others in magnesium.

Suitability for human nutrition

Very suitable as a daily drink and to cover your mineral requirements. The selection can make sense depending on your individual need for certain minerals.

3. Spring water

Requirements and legal regulations

Spring water comes from underground water reserves and is obtained directly from the source. It must be naturally pure and subjected to few treatment procedures. The requirements for spring water are regulated in the Mineral and Table Water Ordinance (MTVO), but are generally less strict than those for mineral water, especially with regard to the mineral content. It does not have to be officially recognized.

Nutritional classification

The mineral content of spring water is generally lower and less consistent than mineral water. The composition can vary greatly.

Suitability for human nutrition

Suitable as a drink, but tends to provide fewer minerals than mineral water.

4. Table water

Requirements and legal regulations

Table water is not a natural product in the true sense. It is usually made from drinking water or natural mineral water, to which other substances can be added, such as natural mineral water, sea water, salts or carbon dioxide. The exact composition is not as strictly regulated as with natural waters. The MTVO regulates the requirements.

Nutritional classification

The nutritional value of table water depends largely on its composition. It may or may not contain minerals.

Suitability for human nutrition

Suitable as a drink, the contribution to the mineral supply is variable

Table water is drinking water and therefore cheap – manufacturers therefore like to advertise it with an “exclusive touch of luxury” in order to create a noble image in elegant bottles for which consumers spend a lot of money. Don’t be fooled, because the “kings and queens of blame water” are usually not much more than tap water.

5. Healing water

Requirements and legal regulations

Healing water has a special status because it no foodbut one drug within the meaning of the Medicines Act. It requires one Permit by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM). This approval is only granted if the effectiveness of medicinal water has been scientifically proven, for example to relieve or cure certain ailments. It must have its specific properties (e.g. high concentration of certain minerals or trace elements) at the source location.

Nutritional differences

Medicinal waters are characterized by a particularly high content of certain minerals and trace elements, which are said to have health-promoting or therapeutic effects.

Suitability for human nutrition

Healing water is primarily not intended to cover your daily fluid needs, but rather to support the treatment or prevention of certain health problems. If necessary, it should be used in consultation with a doctor.

In summary:

1. drinking water is the basic drink and must be of the highest purity.
2. mineral water In addition to liquid, it also provides natural minerals.
3. Spring water is naturally pure, but tends to have fewer minerals than mineral water.
4. Table water is a mixed product and its composition is variable. Tap water is usually sold at a high price
5. Healing water is a medicine with proven therapeutic effects due to its special composition.

All types of water mentioned (except medicinal water in its function as medicine) are generally suitable for human nutrition, but serve different purposes and have different nutritional profiles. Drinking water and mineral water are most relevant for daily fluid intake.

Practical tip

Drink the water that you like best – no matter what category, what brand and whether carbonated or still. The main thing is that you have one thing: good thirst!