Brands Of Mineral Water With The Most Calcium


Mineral water that contains high levels of calcium is an easy way to get more calcium in your diet. Bottled mineral water is known for having high mineral contents. However, a high mineral content does not always mean it is high in calcium. So, let’s find out which which mineral water brands have the most calcium!

In this post we provide details on the top 12 brands of mineral water that have the highest amounts of calcium. We will also explain why consuming calcium is important, how much you actually need (depending on your age, sex, and during pregnancy or breastfeeding), and if you can consume too much.

Top 12 Brands Of Mineral Water With High Calcium

Mineral water can be a great source of calcium and many other nutrients. Today, many brands of bottled mineral water have high calcium levels.

Here are the top 12 brands of mineral water with the most calcium! They are listed in order of highest calcium content to lowest calcium content (Keep reading for more details on each brand).

Infographic of 12 brands of mineral water high in Calcium. Data sourced from ingredients list from each brand’s website. Created for www.waterpurificationguide.com

1. Contrex

Contrex mineral water has the most calcium at 468 mg/L in our list. Originally from France, Contrex water also has a high TDS value of 2078 mg/L, making it a high mineral content water. Drink 2 liters of Contrex every day and you get 100% of your daily calcium needs. Contrex mineral water is also low in sodium, so it’s not too crisp. It may taste a tad ‘thick’ because of its high TDS.

It’s rarely available on Amazon.com or from Walmart, so if you’re in the U.S you may have better luck ordering it on Instacart.com. English customers can buy Contrex on Amazon.co.uk.

2. Ferrarelle Naturally Sparkling Mineral Water

Ferrarelle Naturally Sparkling Mineral Water has a high calcium content at 401 mg/L. This water comes from the only cold geyser in Europe. The Italian water company finds its water from the high peaks of southern Italy and is bottled near the Roccamonfina volcano.

Ferrarelle is naturally sparkling (carbonated), has tiny bubbles, and is also rich in other minerals including, magnesium, potassium, and sodium. Drinking 2 liters of Ferrarelle gives you 100% of your daily recommended calcium and potassium intake. Ferrarelle has a TDS value of 1315 mg/L. This water promotes digestion and makes mealtime feel luxurious.

3. Gerolsteiner

Gerolsteiner Sparkling Natural Mineral Water contains 348 mg/L of calcium. Extracted from the volcanic groundwater of Eifel in Germany, Gerolsteiner mineral water has a pleasant, soft, and crisp taste. It is is naturally enriched with carbonic acid. Gerolsteiner water is low in sodium but rich in magnesium. This water is slightly acidic.

4. Badoit

Badoit mineral water has a calcium content of 190 mg/L. From the springs of Saint Galmier in France, Badoit mineral water is a naturally sparkling mineral water that is light and delicate with its characteristic tiny bubbles. Badoit water is bottled in glass and naturally carbonated. It has a TDS of 1200 mg/L and a pH of 6.

5. San Pellegrino Sparkling Carbonated Natural Mineral Water

San Pellegrino Sparkling Carbonated Natural Mineral Water has a calcium content of 164 mg/L. San Pellegrino is one of the most globally renowned mineral waters and very popular in the U.S.

Sourced from the Italian Alps near Lombardy, the water is naturally enriched in mineral salts (mainly magnesium and calcium), and carbon dioxide is added artificially to create fine bubbles and subtle nuances.

San Pellegrino has a pH of 7.6.

6. Borjomi Sparkling Mineral Water

Borjomi Sparkling Mineral Water has calcium content that ranges between 20 and 150 mg/L. From an artesian spring in the Caucasus Moujntains, Borjomi water is warm when it reaches the surface after travelling through layers of volcanic rock.

Borjomi water is mineral rich and has a high TDS value of 1100 mg/L, is naturally alkaline, and naturally carbonated. Borjomi is famous for its 1500 year old water and patented bluish-green colored bottles. The sparkling mineral water has a distinct crisp taste.

7. Perrier

Perrier Sparkling Mineral Water is a popular bottled water with 147 mg/L of calcium. Perrier water comes from a spring in Vergèze, France and is bottled on site. They use a unique and natural carbonation process involving the collection of the spring’s carbonic gas, which is filtered separately and later added back into the mineral water.

Perrier mineral water is also acidic, with a pH of 5.5. Apart from its original taste, the Perrier brand also offers other great flavors, including orange, green apple, peach, lime, watermelon, strawberry, and pink grapefruit.

8. Topo Chico Mineral Water

Topo Chico Mineral Water contains 120 mg/L of calcium. Topo Chico Mineral Water is sourced and bottled from Monterrey in Mexico.

It was unofficially hailed as the best sparkling water in Texas. With a history spanning more than two centuries, this water is naturally carbonated for the most part.

Additional carbonation is added for extra bubbles. With a pH of 5.6 and TDS of 630 mg/L, Topo Chico tastes light and smooth and has small bubbles.

9. Hildon Natural Mineral Water

Hildon Natural Mineral Water has a calcium content of 97 mg/L. Hildon’s natural mineral water is sourced from a private estate in the Hampshire countryside. It is not purified or filtered artificially. Instead it is filtered naturally as it passes through porous rock before it is bottled in signature Bordeaux bottles. This pH-neutral water pairs wonderfully with meals and wines. This water is smooth, crisp, and perfectly balanced. It has a TDS of 375 mg/L.

10. Arrowhead Mountain Spring Water

Arrowhead Mountain Spring Water contains 3.5-52 mg/L of calcium. Arrowhead sources its water from springs in California, Colorado, and western Canada. The ‘Mountain’ brand water is a natural mineral water, while other labels under the brand may be from other purified sources or artificially enriched with minerals. Arrowhead Mountain Spring Water pH ranges between 6.9-8.0. It has low amounts of sodium which is perfect for those on low sodium diets.

11. Indigo H2O Premium Bottled Alkaline Mineral Water

Indigo Premium Bottled Alkaline Mineral Water has a relatively low calcium content at 20 mg/L. This premium bottled water has a pH of 8.8. It is bottled in a beautiful blue glass, making it a great aesthetic pick for your dinner table.

Alkaline water is said to boost electrolytes, balance pH, and provide essential minerals. Alkaline water may also hydrate the body better than neutral water. IndioH20 Alkaline Mineral Water has a TDS of 250 mg/L.

Water Purification Guide has more information on brands of alkaline water available here.

12. Vichy Catalan

Vichy Catalan water has a relatively low amount of calcium at 14 mg/L. Vichy Catalan is bottled at the thermal springs of Calde de Malavella in Spain. Vichy water has a very high TDS value of 2900 mg/L, making it a high mineral content mineral water. It is naturally sparkling, with a slightly bitter taste from the natural carbonation.

Why Calcium Is Important

Calcium is mineral nutrient required by the body to stay healthy.

Calcium is important for many health benefits, including:

  • Muscle function
  • Nerve transmission
  • Contraction of vessels in the body
  • Hormone secretion
  • Bone and teeth formation, structure, support, and function.
  • Maintaining adequate calcium supply in bones, which helps maintain the balance of calcium in the blood, muscle, and between your cells.

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body!

How Much Calcium Do You Need?

The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for calcium varies with age and between males and females.

The RDA for calcium and other nutrients were developed by the Food and Nutrition Board (FNB).

According the the FNB, the RDA classification is defined as the average intake amount sufficient to meet the nutritional requirements of 97 – 98% of healthy individuals.

Unsurprisingly, inadequate calcium intake still occurs, with the following age groups of particular concern:

  • Females that are 4 years and older (adolescent girls in particular)
  • Males 9 to 18 years old
  • Males 51 years and older

Calcium absorption occurs in the gut and may be reduced by a number of factors, such as:

  • Calcium intake amount: too much calcium decreases absorption efficiency (Ross et al., 2011). This is more of a concern from those taking calcium supplements.
  • Vitamin D: Low vitamin D levels in the body reduces calcium absorption (Ross et al., 2011).
  • Other foods: Calcium absorption can be inhibited by other foods (Ross et al., 2011; Weaver and Heaney 1991; Weaver et al., 1991). However, this can vary greatly depending on the food. Plus the foods being consumed will also contribute to the calcium RDA, which may counteract any absorption inhibition.
  • High intake of certain substances: Elimination of calcium occurs by the body through sweat, feces, urine. This can be affected by a high intake of other substances such as caffeine, alcohol, sodium, protein, phosphorus (e.g. soft drinks containing phosphate) etc (Waver et al., 1999; Heaney 1996; Barrett-Connor et al., 1994; Hirsch et al., 1996; Calvo 1993; Heaney and Rafferty 2001).
  • Age: calcium absorption in infants and children is high due to bone development, whereas net calcium absorption decreases as much as 15-20% as we age (NIH 1994; Ross et al., 2011; Heaney et al., 1989).

So, with this in mind, the recommended daily allowance for calcium:

  • Steadily increases for both males and females until about the age of 9 years old.
  • Pregnant and breastfeeding moms DO NOT require more calcium than women of the same age.
  • More calcium is required for females over 51 years old and males over 71 years old.

This chart shows how much calcium you should be consuming (from both food and water) each day.

Note: The FNB uses the the classification Adequate Intake for calcium for both male and female infants 0-12 months old. This is because of insufficient evidence for infants to create an RDA. Adequate Intake (AI) means the intake level is assumed to ensure nutritional adequacy.

The AI for calcium in both male and female infants are:

  • 0-6 months old = 200 mg calcium per day.
  • 7-12 months old = 260 mg calcium per day.

Can You Consume Too Much Calcium?

The Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) established the tolerable Upper intake Level (UL) for calcium, which varies with age and between males and females.

Consuming too much calcium from food and drink is rare. However, excess calcium intake may occur from taking calcium supplements. This is more common for women over the age of about 50 years who are taking calcium supplements.

Hypercalcemia is a condition in people that is caused from calcium levels becoming too high. Hypercalcemia interferes with bodily functions and is associated with:

  • Kidney stones
  • abnormal brain and heart function
  • poor bone health.

Extremely high levels of calcium in the blood can become life-threatening.

Spring Water Vs Mineral Water

The amount of calcium in your bottled water does not define whether or not it is called mineral water or spring water.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) defines mineral water a Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) value of no less than 250 ppm (or mg/L). When rainwater passes through porous rock into these aquifers, it collects minerals such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, sulfates, and chlorides along the way. So while it is true that spring water also contains minerals, the minimum TDS restriction does not apply.

Mineral water must also have no added minerals (with the exception of carbon dioxide to make it sparkling). Both spring water and mineral water must originate in a physically protected geological underground aquifer. Some mineral water springs may flow to the surface unaided, but most are underground. In comparison, all spring water must flow to the surface unaided.

References

Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes, 1997. Dietary reference intakes for calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin D, and fluoride. Dietary Reference Intakes (Pap.

Barrett-Connor E, Chang JC, Edelstein SL. Coffee-associated osteoporosis offset by daily milk consumption. The Rancho Bernardo Study. JAMA. 1994 Jan 26;271(4):280-3. doi: 10.1001/jama.1994.03510280042030. PMID: 8295286.<Coffee-associated osteoporosis offset by daily milk consumption. The Rancho Bernardo Study – PubMed (nih.gov)>

Calvo MS. Dietary phosphorus, calcium metabolism and bone. J Nutr. 1993 Sep;123(9):1627-33. doi: 10.1093/jn/123.9.1627. PMID: 8360792.<Dietary phosphorus, calcium metabolism and bone – PubMed (nih.gov)>

Heaney RP, Recker RR, Stegman MR, Moy AJ. Calcium absorption in women: relationships to calcium intake, estrogen status, and age. J Bone Miner Res. 1989 Aug;4(4):469-75. doi: 10.1002/jbmr.5650040404. PMID: 2816496. <Calcium absorption in women: relationships to calcium intake, estrogen status, and age – PubMed (nih.gov)>

Heaney RP. Bone mass, nutrition, and other lifestyle factors. Nutr Rev. 1996 Apr;54(4 Pt 2):S3-10. doi: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.1996.tb03891.x. PMID: 8700450.<Bone mass, nutrition, and other lifestyle factors – PubMed (nih.gov)>

Heaney RP, Rafferty K. Carbonated beverages and urinary calcium excretion. Am J Clin Nutr. 2001 Sep;74(3):343-7. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/74.3.343. PMID: 11522558. <Carbonated beverages and urinary calcium excretion – PubMed (nih.gov)>

Hirsch PE, Peng TC. Effects of alcohol on calcium homeostasis and bone. In: Anderson J, Garner S, eds. Calcium and Phosphorus in Health and Disease. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1996:289-300.

Institute of Medicine (IOM) (US) Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes, 1997. Dietary reference intakes. Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Vitamin D, and Fluoride. <https://www.nap.edu/read/5776/chapter/1#xi>

National Institutes of Health (NIH). Consens Statement.Optimal calcium intake. 1994 Jun 6-8;12(4):1-31. PMID: 7599655.<Optimal calcium intake – PubMed (nih.gov)>

Ross, A.C., Manson, J.E., Abrams, S.A., Aloia, J.F., Brannon, P.M., Clinton, S.K., Durazo-Arvizu, R.A., Gallagher, J.C., Gallo, R.L., Jones, G. and Kovacs, C.S., 2011. The 2011 report on dietary reference intakes for calcium and vitamin D from the Institute of Medicine: what clinicians need to know. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism96(1), pp.53-58. <2011 Report on Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D from the Institute of Medicine: What Clinicians Need to Know | The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism | Oxford Academic (oup.com)>

Weaver CM, Heaney RP. Isotopic exchange of ingested calcium between labeled sources. Evidence that ingested calcium does not form a common absorptive pool. Calcif Tissue Int. 1991 Oct;49(4):244-7. doi: 10.1007/BF02556212. PMID: 1760767.<Isotopic exchange of ingested calcium between labeled sources. Evidence that ingested calcium does not form a common absorptive pool – PubMed (nih.gov)>

Weaver CM, Heaney RP, Martin BR, Fitzsimmons ML. Human calcium absorption from whole-wheat products. J Nutr. 1991 Nov;121(11):1769-75. doi: 10.1093/jn/121.11.1769. PMID: 1941185.<Human calcium absorption from whole-wheat products – PubMed (nih.gov)>

Weaver CM, Proulx WR, Heaney R. Choices for achieving adequate dietary calcium with a vegetarian diet. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999 Sep;70(3 Suppl):543S-548S. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/70.3.543s. PMID: 10479229.<Choices for achieving adequate dietary calcium with a vegetarian diet – PubMed (nih.gov)>

Russell Singleton

Russell has a Bachelor of Science (Environmental and Marine Geoscience) with Class I Honors. He is currently completing his doctorate in science and is passionate about all earth processes, especially isotope geochemistry and paleohydrology.

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