蒸餾水定礦泉水？
Distilled Water or Mineral Water?
蒸餾水最純最健康？
市面上的蒸餾水標榜純淨衛生無雜質，其製造過程是將水加熱至105℃，由液體轉化為水蒸氣，然後再冷卻成為蒸餾水，以除去水裡的懸浮物體、細菌病毒及雜質，但與此同時亦除去對人體有益的礦物質。
世界衛生組織報告指出，蒸餾水的礦物質包括鈉、鉀、鈣、鎂、鋅、磷等，但含量不足夠人體日常所需。尤其在運動後，身體除了需要補充水分外，也要補充電解質（鈉、鎂和鉀等）從而幫助回復體力，平衡肌肉及維持血液輸送。蒸餾水不含電解質或鹽分，並不是理想的運動後飲品。
如長期飲用蒸餾水又沒有在其他飲食方面吸收所需的礦物質，有可能會帶來健康問題[1]。
礦泉水最天然最有營養？
礦泉水來自高山或地下泉水，因水流經過岩石，故含有較多礦物質，如鋅、鈣、錳和鎂等，能夠補充運動時經排汗而流失的電解質、礦物質和微量元素。
但營養師不建議大家長期飲用，尤其是腎功能欠佳人士及腎臟發育未完成的嬰兒，因為他們的腎功能未能有效排出礦物質，吸收過量有機會影響心臟成肌肉功能，建議一日最多只可飲用一支約500毫升[2]。
蒸餾水也好，礦泉水也好，它們都可以滿足不同的需要。中庸之道乃擇水之道。Let’s Drink Well!
Is distilled water the purest and healthiest？
Bottled water producers claim that distilled water is more hygienic and free of impurities. The process involves heating water to 105℃ which converts liquid to water vapor and is followed by cooling it into distilled water. During the process, suspended particles, bacteria, virus and impurities are removed. However minerals which is beneficial to our body is being removed as well.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), distilled water contains minerals like sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, but the level of such minerals are not able to fulfil what our body needs, especially after exercise. Electrolytes like sodium, magnesium, potassium, helps us to restore physical strength, balance muscles and maintain blood circulation. Long-term consumption of distilled water are not ideal for our body[1].
Is Mineral water the most natural and nutritious?
Mineral water originates from mountains or underground springs. Having passed through rocks, it contains more minerals like zinc, calcium, manganese, and magnesium, which can replenish electrolytes, minerals and trace elements lost in sweating.
Yet, dietitians do not recommend long-term drinking, especially for people with deteriorated kidney functions and infants whose kidney is not fully developed. Since their kidneys cannot efficiently discharge minerals, excessive intake may affect the functions of the heart muscles. As such, dieticians recommend consumption of no more than 500ml of mineral water per day[2].
Drinking and eating in moderation is one of the key to health. Let’s Drink Well!
[1] https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/nutrientsindw.pdf
P.28 – VII. POTENTIAL TECHNICAL ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH DESALINATION – Health Issues
P.150 – II. HEALTH RISKS FROM CONSUMPTION OF DEMINERALISED OR LOW-MINERAL WATER