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.
Dissolved minerals are the ones your body absorbs
The body can only take up minerals that are dissolved, as they are in mineral water. How much it absorbs depends on the mineral, how much you drink, how much you sweat and whether your stomach is full or empty. Smollich says mineral water can contribute very well to daily intake, provided it contains relevant amounts.
For healthy people, a good diet plus enough mineral water is sufficient.
Heat, workouts and stomach bugs drain mineral reserves faster
The body has no large mineral store. It loses minerals continuously through the kidneys and urine, through stool and through sweat. In everyday life, food and drink easily replace these losses.
Losses rise sharply with heavy sweating in hot weather, intense exercise, or illness with diarrhea and vomiting. In those situations, Smollich advises paying deliberate attention to getting enough minerals.