In the previous article, we focused on the water itself and explained why its quality is important. The purity of water is undoubtedly essential, but there is another part of the equation, which is much less talked about — the mineral composition. The human body does not only work with water as such.

What does remineralization actually mean?

Remineralization simply means adding minerals to the water — or generally increasing the content of electrolytes in the received fluids. The most important minerals from the point of view of hydration are sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium. They are found in the body in the form of ions and are involved in fluid regulation, nerve transmission, muscle contraction and maintenance of osmotic balance.

The functioning of cells, nerves, muscles and the distribution of fluids in the body is influenced by the presence of minerals and electrolytes. It is not a new trend or an alternative approach — their importance for fluid regulation is described, for example, by the professional materials of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

four basic electrolytes: what each one does

Without these ions, it would not be possible to maintain a stable internal environment of the organism. Everyone plays a different but irreplaceable role.

Modern filtration and loss of minerals

Modern filtration systems — especially reverse osmosis, distillation or deionization — can eliminate a wide range of unwanted substances. At the same time, they also reduce the content of naturally present minerals.

The mineral composition of water can be of greatest importance, especially in people who They exercise intensively, regularly visit the sauna or sweat profusely. It was for this reason that the WHO addressed the topic of demineralized water in special expert overviews.

Silicon: An inconspicuous element that attracts the attention of scientists

Silicon is the second most widespread element of the earth's crust. in water and food may occur in form orthosilicic acids, which is considered a biologically available form. Unlike iron or zinc, silicon is not considered an essential mineral. Nevertheless, research has been devoted to it for several decades — it seems that it can play a certain role in the metabolism of connective tissues and bones.

When does minerals matter the most?

For the general population, a varied diet and sufficient fluid intake are usually sufficient. But there are situations when the topic of the mineral composition of water becomes significantly more relevant.

So why remineralize?

Current scientific findings show that minerals and electrolytes play a vital role in fluid regulation, nervous activity, muscle function and many other processes of the human organism. Most of the necessary minerals are obtained from a varied and balanced diet.

At the same time, there are situations — for example, intense sports, regular saunas, high physical exertion or the use of very effective filter systems — when people become more interested in the mineral composition of their water.

Sports medicine also offers interesting illustrative examples: Athletes who receive a large amount of clean water during long races without adequate sodium replenishment can in extreme cases reach hyponatremia — too low a concentration of sodium in the blood. It is not a common problem for most people, but it shows that optimal hydration is not only a matter of the amount of water, but also of its relationship to the overall mineral balance of the organism.