The healing and prophylactic properties of mineral waters gushing out of the ground have been used since ancient times. In Russia, this tradition was laid by Peter I, who was impressed by the water resorts in Europe. Returning to his homeland, the tsar formed a special commission, which was looking for “sour springs.” The first springs were discovered along the course of the Terek River, and it was there that the first hospitals were founded, where veterans of the Peter the Great Wars with their families and servants were sent to rest.
Mineral water differs from ordinary water in its higher concentration of salts and other chemical compounds. Their effect on the body can be different depending on the type of water and the individual characteristics of a person.
Table water contains no more than 1 gram of salt per liter. It is suitable for daily use, beverage production at home and in the workplace. This type of mineral water has almost no taste and smell (sometimes a very weak salty taste), it quenches thirst well and has a beneficial effect on health: it stimulates the intestines and stomach, and speeds up metabolism. It is very useful to use table water for people on a diet, since thanks to it the body receives many trace elements necessary for life, while all toxins are removed from the body faster.
Medicinal table water contains up to 10 grams of salt per liter. It can be drunk on its own for general health improvement or for treatment from diseases on the recommendation of a doctor. This mineral water is not suitable for continuous use. In order to achieve a therapeutic effect with its help, regularity is important: once or twice a day, a glass of water, then a break. People with chronic diseases of the food system, liver and kidneys should be treated with the greatest caution in medicinal table water, as it can aggravate the situation.
In medicinal mineral water, the concentration of salts exceeds 10 grams per liter. It can be used regularly only as directed by a doctor; in fact, it is a drug. This water is often flavored as it can taste very salty or bitter. Healing water is used not only as a drink, it is useful for washing the skin and hair, the best effect arises from mineral baths and showers, which can almost completely eliminate acne and its consequences, give the skin elasticity and a pleasant matte shade.
According to the composition of salts, natural mineral waters are divided into many varieties, in addition, there are a number of drinks, the composition of which is artificially formed at the plant. The most famous in Russia are hydrocarbonate and sulphate-hydrocarbonate waters of the narzan type. They are drunk cold, the concentration of salts is within 3-4 grams per liter. The use of these mineral waters is recommended primarily for people with constant physical exertion, athletes, and the military. They are used for diseases of the liver and gallbladder, the use of sulfate waters reduces obesity and improves the well-being of patients with diabetes mellitus. Hydrocarbonate waters are contraindicated for stomach ailments, such as gastritis.
With the regular use of bicarbonate water enriched with calcium and magnesium, an improvement in the nervous system and metabolism is observed. This drink is indispensable for losing weight – it is combined with almost any medical diet, being a powerful additional factor in burning fats, removing toxins from the body, while helping to replenish the lack of essential microelements, which began to be supplied with food in a much smaller volume.
Mineral water enriched with magnesium has a calming effect, relieves stress, improves brain function, and significantly reduces distraction. The most famous are the hydrocarbonate springs of Kislovodsk.
Waters of complex anionic composition, primarily sodium, with a mineralization percentage of up to 5-6 grams – these are primarily the waters of Pyatigorsk and Zheleznogorsk, used both internally and externally. Drinking this water improves overall vitality due to the normalization of sodium-potassium intracellular balance. However, you should not abuse sodium water either, as this will create an additional burden on the liver and kidneys.
Chloride-hydrocarbonate waters, such as Essentuki, with a mineralization of 12-15 grams per liter, sometimes additionally contain iodine or bromine. Such water is useful for the body only in limited quantities recommended by the doctor. Chloride-bicarbonate water can cure mild diabetes, most diseases of the stomach, liver and gallbladder. Doctors say that there is no better medicine for dealing with excess weight, a course of taking such water from 20 to 30 days completely destroys all fat deposits and normalizes the body’s activity. This also applies to those people whose obesity is caused by stress or poor lifestyle choices. However, any treatment must be carried out strictly in consultation with doctors. It should be remembered that chloride-hydrocarbonate waters are contraindicated for hypertensive patients and people with diseases of the heart, vascular system; if used improperly, they can disrupt alkaline balance, gastric secretory function, and kidney function.