by Svetlana Konnikova

Part 2

After I read a slogan “Make Your Mouth Water” on Dasani bottle of water, I became curious about how can I make my mouth water? It sounds simple, just drink it, but there is  much more…

Pepsi’s Aquafina finally decided to let us know that its H2O comes from public water sources. Nestle company promised to indicate on Nestle’s Pure Life bottles whether water comes from deep well, public or private sources. The Coca-Cola company, owner  of Dasani brand,  will not make any changes of the label itself. Company informs us on its website that it draws Dasani water from local water. It is good to have this confirmation, if you are going to buy Dasani bottle.

Tip 1. Think at first before you buy a heavily advertised brand. Look at description on the label. If there’s no explanation of the source and the process, don’t buy it.

Several years ago Coca-Cola made great headlines around the world by admitting that Dasani is nothing but tap water. So, why we need this water? People are always looking for benefits. Coca-Cola’s benefit offered to consumers in its slogan, “Make Your Mouth Water.” Why should we “water our mouth” with water that can be dechlorinated, purified with ultraviolet light, filtered firther and have minerals and vitamins either subtracted or added in the process?  Is it a joke?

We need good quality, pure water to help us to survive, stay healthy and prevent sicknesses. I see one petite problem in this dilemma. Where can we get pure water from a clean source? One independent beverage research company in Canada showed that two out of every five bottles of water sold around the world are, like Dasani, “purified” waters Vs. tap water, rather that “source” waters which originate from a natural spring.

Tip 2. Buy water originated from a natural spring.

So many brands of bottled water, so many choices “to make out mouth water…” Today consumers are smart and well informed. They look for answers. People discovered that these heavily marketed brands of bottled water don’t taste good anymore. It means that the quality sucks, and purity is doubtful. So, what happened lately with the main commodity in the Kingdom of Water?

Water is everywhere you go. “Water” became a hot topic in media and a subject of discussion between people who care about their health. Numerous articles are written. Investigations and surveys are conducted. Headlines and titles are created with a focus on the drinking water.  Here is a summary of the most interesting facts:

*Fast Company com. published an article with a clever title “Message in the bottle.” This message tells us that “Americans spent more money last year on bottled water than on ipods or movie tickets: $15 Billion.”

Statistics tell us that people are thirsty. Thirst is growing at the breakneck speed. Water bottling companies work day and night to package bottles with magic liquid. Thousands of people carry clear, blue, purple and frosted bottles with the life-giving water. They carry these plastic containers so carefully as they carry their beloved small babies. How many of them know where the water comes from and what is in that bottle, tap or spring water?

Tip 3. Buy fresh, clean and crisp spring water not the “drinking” water. Look for “Best Use” date.

Appealing names and attractive labels, pictures of pictoresque countryside showing us natural spring peacefully flowing in the middle of a green field blossoming with beautiful, fragrant flowers… All it looks good. Skilful advertising and artfully twisted wording also done well. The message on the bottle is great: the liquid inside is nothing else as the purest drink. We trust this message. We are sold on advertising and we buy this bottle. 

Tip 4. Do your homework. Know the source and date of testing. Find the best, purest water, no matter how much it cost. Your body’s worth it.

“No one should think that bottled water is better regulated, better protected or safer than tap,” says Eric Goldstein, codirector of the urban program at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), a nonprofit organozation devoted to protecting health and the environment. (*Readers Digest, February 2008, Bottled Water Vs Tap Water by Janet Majeski Jemmott).

What Mr. Goldstein thinks about an Associated Press article “Probe Finds Drugs in Drinking Water” posted recently on AOL News? This article informed us about a vast array of pharmaceuticals that have been found in the drinking water supplies of at least 41 million Americans.

Tip 5. Don’t buy the drinking water, if you don’t know the origin. It can contain pharmaceuticals.

On March 28, 2008 Chicago Sun-Times published another interesting article titled, “Kicking the Bottle, Restaurant Turn on the Tap” written by Rummana Hussain, staff reporter. This article tells us how some eco and green-friendly Chicago restaurateurs decided to serve customers tap water and “aren’t tap-dancing around their distaste for bottled water.”

Tip 6. Find out how clean and tasteful tap water is. Results of the water test should be presented to you on request.

Don’t we get a glass of free tap water with ice every time we come to the restaurants for lunch or dinner? To be honest with you, I never drink this water. I ask to bring me a glass bottle of sparkling natural mineral water, Perrier, S.Pellegrino or Saratoga brands (no flavors, just original, please) and a plate with thinly sliced pieces of lemon. Then I squeeze these pieces of lemon in my water. It becomes a refreshing, delicious and healthy drink.

Tip 7. When you go out to eat, order in a restaurant good quality natural mineral water in a glass bottle. Squeeze pieces of lemon in it. Enjoy!

Some of my friends lift their eyebrows when I order sparkling natural mineral water. They prefer tap water offered free in a restaurant. They are raised on tap water. Once upon a time tap water was really good. They still think that nothing is wrong with it. These girls read lots of books on nutrition and alternative health., and try to keep themselves at the best. Every morning (no excuses or exceptions!) they make freshly squeezed juice from organic fruits and vegetables and drink it before breakfast. Is it not great? This way their bodies receive an amazing nutrition. Then they drink “purified” bottled water all day along for good health sake. So, what is great about it, if this water can be dechlorinated or carbonated? This water will deplete all “goodies” they got with fresh organic juice.

Tip 8. Make freshly squeezed organic juice every morning or at least three times per week. Drink it before breakfast. Daily drink good quality spring or sparkling natural mineral water.

We do need good quality water to survive. Water is necessary for all life on Earth. Humans can survive for several weeks without water, but they can survive only a few days without water.

Tip 9. Drink 2  bottles (each 1L/1QT/18 FL.OZ) good quality natural spring water a day. It will help you to replenish the fluids we loose through our walking, working, sweating, breathing, speaking, eating and other normal physiological activities.

It is still unclear to me how many mineral nutrients we get in the drinking water. I was searching for studies on drinking water contribution in terms of mineral nutrients intake and did not find a wealth of information. Are you surprised? Minerals in the drinking water can be added or subtructed in the bottling process. It should be written on the label about it.

Tip 10. Always check the label for water origin, shelf life  and date of production.

We simply cannot “make our mouth water” or quench our thirst if the water is not fresh and distasteful.

Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

* “Make Your Mouth Water” is a slogan on the bottle of Dasani water, the Coca-Cola’s brand.