Because it is more practical and hygienic, many people use bottled water for drinking, even cooking. In fact, not all bottled water has good quality. In order to maintain your health, know how to choose bottled drinking water that is safe for consumption.
Water is the main component needed by the body so that all organs and systems in the body function properly. If you don't drink enough water, your body can become dehydrated, which can cause a number of health problems.
To meet their daily fluid needs, bottled water is the choice of most people because it no longer needs to be cooked, so it is more practical. Even so, be careful, not all bottled water has good quality and is drinkable. So, you need to be more careful in choosing bottled water.
How to Choose Safe and Healthy Bottled Water
The following are some tips that you can apply in choosing bottled drinking water that is safe for health:
1. Pay attention to the information regarding the water source
There are various types of bottled water, ranging from glasses, bottles, to gallons. However, the most consumed is bottled mineral water. Good quality mineral water comes from underground water sources or mountain springs that contain natural minerals.
As the name suggests, mineral water contains a variety of minerals that are beneficial to the health of the body, such as calcium, potassium, sodium, fluoride, and magnesium.
In addition to the water source, the processing process in the production of mineral water also needs to be considered. Ideally, bottled mineral water has been treated with advanced technology, so that its mineral content is maintained and not contaminated by germs or harmful chemicals.
2. Check whether it meets the standards set by the government
Make sure the bottled water product you choose has the SNI (Indonesian National Standard) logo. Products with this logo mean that they have met the safety and hygiene standards that have been determined by the National Standardization Agency (BSN).
Not only that, bottled water products must also have a distribution permit from the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM).
3. Pay attention to the condition of the packaging
Make sure the drinking water packaging is in good condition, does not leak, and is still tightly sealed. Damaged packaging can indicate that the product is often exposed to hot temperatures for a long time or even exposed to harmful chemicals, so that water quality and safety are no longer guaranteed.
Choose products with packaging made of high quality and environmentally friendly materials. Generally, bottled water is made of single-use plastic, meaning that bottled bottles cannot be reused even if they are in good condition.
4. Pay attention to the color, taste, and smell of the water
Water that is safe for consumption is water that is colorless or looks clear, odorless, has no taste. Avoid consuming drinking water that looks cloudy or smells bad because it is likely that the water has been contaminated with germs or harmful chemicals that can cause disease.
5. Check the expiration date
Unlike boiled drinking water, bottled mineral water has an expiration date. Before buying, first check the expiration date listed on the packaging.
Water that has been in the bottle for too long may have decreased in quality and is not suitable for consumption. Therefore, avoid buying bottled water that is near or past its expiration date.
Materials that are Safe to Use for Packaging Bottles
The safe material for bottled drinking water is plastic polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The chemicals in this type of plastic have been tested and proven not to dissolve or mix into water.
In addition, PET plastic can also be recycled so that it is more environmentally friendly. Environmental pollution due to piles of plastic waste can have an indirect impact on health because it can cause air pollution and global warming.
In an effort to reduce plastic waste, several drinking water companies have made innovations in product packaging. One of them is to remove the use of plastic seals on the bottle caps.
Meeting fluid needs is very important to maintain the health of your body. In order for adequate water intake, you are recommended to consume at least 8 glasses of mineral water or about 2 liters every day. If you sweat a lot during activities, drink more water so you don't become dehydrated.
To be practical, always have bottled water near you. However, don't just choose bottled water products, okay? Pay close attention to the quality of the water and the product packaging.
