Natural Mineral Water: Concept and Classifications

Abstract

The water substance, due to its peculiar structure, can dissolve many products and give rise to different types of water. The waters have very diverse uses, among which their beneficial actions for health stand out. In this field those that have an underground origin, are microbiologically healthy and have a constant composition, that is to say, natural mineral waters, are used, either bottled or directly in the Health Resort Medicine. Therefore, tap water is not included, nor are bottled spring waters or prepared drinking waters, which have their own legislation. The natural mineral waters are classified mainly based on their temperature, dry residue, and chemical composition. In this chapter the most important natural mineral water classifications are shown, from the point of Medical Hydrology, which can predict their possible beneficial effects for the organism