Naturally carbonated water (i.e. contains the same amount of carbon dioxide that it had at emergence from the source, after treatment and possible replacement with carbon dioxide.) Note: soda water, seltzer water and tonic water may contain sugar and calories, and are considered soft drinks, not bottled water. process of reducing water to a non-mineral state by passing it over a bed of resins. Generally, deionized water is considered of higher quality than distilled water and is more economical to produce. Distilled: purified by passing through an evaporation-condensation cycle that removes most dissolved solids (minerals). Filtration: a naturally occurring or artificial process in which water passes through filters and is depleted of certain minerals and other elements. Ionization: a process whereby ions are separated and/or exchanged Municipal water: water supplied by a city for public use, otherwise know as tap water. Ozonization: a method of sanitizing water by using ozone which is made by forcing compressed air through a high voltage arc into the water. Reverse osmosis: process by which water is reduced to a non-mineral state by passing through a plastic membrane under pressure, which separates the water from other elements. Ultraviolet ray:invisible rays beyond the violet end of the visible spectrum used to kill pathogens. FRUIT AND VITAMIN WATER One of the growing trends in bottled water is fruit- and vitamin-enhanced waters. They sound like an easy way to pack in more fruit and vitamins into your day, but they don't provide any true health benefits. The quality of these products is based on the quality of the water and the substances added. Consumers seem better off with a natural mineral water, than drinking isolated nutrients. Fruit waters should not be considered as a substitute for drinking water. They are officially categorized as beverages by the FDA and should be treated accordingly. As with any beverages, sugar content should be taken into account. Keeping in mind that 4 grams=1 teaspoon of sugar can be helpful when making wise choices.
