Hydration Review: Finding Australia’s Top Water

ARTICLE

01 August 2023

3 min read

There are many social trends that tell you to drink more water - but not all water is made equal. Choosing between tap, bottled, mineral, coconut and electrolyte-enhanced water is just the beginning.

We need water for digestion, to absorb nutrients, to help us move, to get rid of waste and to regulate our body temperature¹ and support our sleep. But does the type of water we drink matter?

We’ve developed a gulp-down guide that compares different types of water and their health benefits so you can decide which H2O works best for you.

1. Traditional tap water

This is the water you get from your taps at home. In Australia, it comes from three sources: surface water, groundwater and the ocean. Australian tap water is generally safe to drink² and is the best source of hydration³. Plus, in most parts of the country, tap water contains fluoride, which helps to protect against tooth decay.⁴

Rating: 5 stars – good for holistic health and teeth, cheap, convenient and environmentally friendly.

2. Bottled doesn’t mean better

Many people buy bottled for its perceived purity but research shows that bottled water has no more health benefits than tap water.⁵ In fact, Australian tap water is subject to stringent testing to ensure it’s safe to drink, whereas bottled water is classified as a food product and not held to the same controls.⁶

Testing showed tap water has a relatively high concentration of minerals like calcium and magnesium, more than most of the bottled brands.⁷ Plus, bottled water can contain potentially harmful chemicals released from plastic.⁸

Rating: 2 stars – when safe water is unavailable, drinking bottled water is essential. Otherwise, bottled water is the more expensive option and its reliance on single-use plastic makes it environmentally damaging. A recent study found that the impact of bottled water on ecosystems is 1,400 times higher than tap water.⁹

3. Lifting the lid on mineral water

Mineral water is collected from springs or wells and is naturally high in minerals derived from the rocks it flows over. To be considered true mineral water, the minerals must be naturally occurring, rather than added for commercial production.¹⁰

The natural minerals present in this type of water can provide a range of great health benefits, such as no added chemicals like chlorine, high levels of calcium to strengthen bones and iron to help deliver oxygen to the bloodstream.¹¹

Rating: 4 stars – mineral water has various health benefits but minerals are also found in tap water and in the foods we eat.

4. Cracking coconut water

What’s behind the coconut water hype? Coconut water is the clear fluid found inside coconuts. Unflavoured coconut water is low in sugar and calories.¹²

Coconut water is popular for rehydration after exercise or during mild illness. It's true that coconut water has electrolytes, such as potassium, sodium and manganese. Some evidence suggests that coconut water is comparable to sports drinks.¹³

Rating: 3 stars – weighing the pros and cons, plain water is still the smart choice as coconut water hasn’t been proven to be more hydrating. But if you love the coconut flavour, drink up.

5. Can electrolytes enhance water?

Electrolytes are minerals that conduct electricity when dissolved in water. The most well-known electrolytes include sodium, chloride, potassium, magnesium and calcium. And electrolyte-enhanced waters are charged with these minerals.

Electrolytes are essential for controlling your fluid balance, regulating your blood pressure, helping your muscles contract (including your heart) and maintaining the correct acidity of your blood pH. Electrolyte-enhanced waters may help improve physical performance during exercise or help rehydrate you when you’re sick.

Rating: 3 stars – outside of sports, hot weather and illness, tap water works fine to meet your day-to-day hydration needs.

Whatever way you get your hydration fix, whether that’s strictly tap water or a mix of hydration methods, staying hydrated is the important part for your health and wellbeing. However, it’s important to remember to make the most sustainable choice when possible and choose tap.¹⁴

Footnotes:

¹ https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/drinking-water-and-your-health
² https://www.waterlogicaustralia.com.au/resources/blog/is-it-safe-to-drink-tap-water/#:~:text=Frequently%20asked%20questions%20about%20tap%20water%20in%20Australia&text=Yes%2C%20tap%20water%20in%20Australia%20is%20generally%20safe%20to%20drink.
³https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/drinking-water-and-your-health
⁴https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/fluoridation
⁵ https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/drinking-water-and-your-health
⁶ https://www.wsaa.asn.au/news/choose-tap-over-bottled-water
⁷ https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/food/drink/water-scientist-puts-bottled-brands-to-test-in-abcs-war-on-waste/news-story/13cb4a17b1fc81c50b21e6cf532172c1
⁸ https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/drinking-water-and-your-health
⁹https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969721039565#bb0120
¹⁰ https://www.eatingwell.com/article/7824728/mineral-water-health-benefits/#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20FDA%2C%20mineral,inside%20can't%20be%20added.
¹¹ https://www.waterpeople.com.au/resource-centre/drinking-water-different-types-of-drinking-water-explained
¹²https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/coconut-water/faq-20207812#:~:text=Coconut%20water%20is%20the%20clear,low%20in%20sugar%20and%20calories.
¹³https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/coconut-water/faq-20207812
¹⁴ https://choosetap.com.au/

Staff writers come from a range of backgrounds including health, wellbeing, music, tech, culture and the arts. They spend their time researching the latest data and trends in the health market to deliver up-to-date information, helping everyday Australians live healthier lives. This is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances. The information in this article is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances.

Disclaimer:
Copyright © 2023 AIA Australia Limited (ABN 79 004 837 861 AFSL 230043). This is general information only, without taking into account factors like the objectives, financial situation, needs or personal circumstances of any individual and is not intended to be financial, legal, tax, medical, nutritional, health, fitness or other

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