Effects of low mineral content in bottled drinking water on human health and evaluation of optimal requirements

Bottled drinking water (BDW) has emerged as the preferred and perceived healthier option for water consumption in the past two decades, even in developing nations. This study aims to assess the baseline levels of dissolved ions in BDW, compares them to drinking water standards, and proposes the optimal minimum ion concentrations. About 30 random BDW samples from densely populated cities in India were collected and analysed for pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), major cations and anions. The maximum and average concentrations of TDS and other dissolved major ions in BDW do not exceed the BIS, WHO, USEPA, and EU standards. Through adherence to food-related norms and human health requirements, this research establishes the minimum optimal concentration of major ions in BDW. In this study, the emphasis on importance of water quality shifts from pesticides and emerging contaminants to a focus on the necessary ion concentrations required in drinking water.