What the Numbers on Your Mineral Water Label Mean
Bonn – November 04, 2026 -- The calcium, magnesium, sodium and hydrogencarbonate values printed on a mineral water label differ from brand to brand, and each mineral does a specific job in your body. Professor Martin Smollich of the Institute for Nutritional Medicine at University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein explains that these minerals are essential nutrients the body cannot produce itself.
Calcium, magnesium and sodium each have a distinct job
Calcium is best known as the building material for bones and teeth, Smollich says. It is also needed for muscle contraction and blood clotting.
Magnesium supports muscle activity, the nervous system and the enzymes involved in cell metabolism. Sodium regulates fluid balance and carries nerve impulses between nerve cells.