History of Bottled Water

In the 19th century, bottled water was produced on a large scale due to the decrease in cost and improved production speed. Thus, bottled waters grew in popularity. Many households have seen bottled waters are safer than the water rationed by municipal water since they are mainly contaminated with pathogens such as typhoid and cholera.
In the middle of the 19th century, Saratoga Springs considered one of the United States' well-known bottlers, produced about 7 million water bottles each year. However, in the 20th century, the demand for water bottles decreased with the water chlorination technique. There is widespread prevention of water-borne diseases in municipal water supplies and even inside the home. Meanwhile, bottled water continued to spread in cafes and groceries, especially in Europe. Today, bottled water is one of the most popular beverages in the United States and other parts of the world.Benefits of using Bottled Waters
Convenient Water
One of the main reasons why people patronize bottled waters is because of its convenience. You can just put it in your car or your bag when you travel in the mountains. You can hold it and bring it anywhere you go and be ready when clean drinking water is not easily accessible. Without bottled water, people will resort to drinking sodas and sugar juices to quench their thirst. Indeed, bottled water is the best option for staying hydrated anywhere you go.Clean and Safe Drinking Water

Hydration at all times
Other benefits of bottled water include hydration at all times. Research has found out that if there is a drop of body fluids in the body, it can lead to the poor physical and mental performance of about 30% for adults and children. If you carry fresh drinking water with you and have some sips whenever you are thirsty, surely, you'll be likely to perform whatever tasks you have at your best!Individual Water Consumption Increases
Some people prefer to drink bottled water because it is accessible in all grocery stores, plus it is straightforward to carry. Instead of spending some time refilling a reusable bottle throughout the day, there are bottled waters that can provide easy access to water at any time of the day. In addition, some people say that their water consumption increases through bottled water. This is a good option than buying sugary beverages like iced tea, soda, juices, etc.Bottled water has a Good Taste.
Other consumers would prefer to drink bottled water because it has a good taste compared to tap water. Some manufacturers would use a flavoring agent on their product to enhance its quality. Thus, you can find flavored bottled water with fruity and tropical flavors that encourage people to drink water instead of juices, teas, coffees, or sodas. These products are also regulated by the FDA to monitor their quality and health purposes. However, not all flavored bottled water is free of calories, for these are commonly made from sugar. To check if the water contains sugar, always check the ingredients listed on the product's packaging.It has Electrolytes and other Nutrients Needed by the body
Aside from the taste and fruity/ tropical flavor, bottled waters also contain electrolytes and other nutrients needed by the body. Electrolytes like sodium and potassium are now available in some water bottles. Some manufacturers also add Vitamins B and E to it. Drinking water with electrolytes is beneficial, especially after an intense workout, especially for long hours of exercise. This drink is also popular as the 'sports drink,' which can help replenish the electrolytes and minerals in your body lost after perspiration. However, the American College of Sports Medicine warns athletes and gym-goers that every drink must contain no more than 8% of the carbohydrate concentration. With this, one can stabilize and maintain the levels of blood glucose.How Long Does Bottled Water Last?
Opened Bottled Water

Unopened Bottle Water
Bottling water companies label their product with a shelf life of 1 to 2 years only. With this, bottled water is good to drink within this period. However, according to NSF International, Water itself does not go bad or become stale. You can have a bottle of clean water and drink it indefinitely if you only store it correctly. Moreover, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) emphasizes that there is no need for an expiration date on the water bottles. Meanwhile, the guidelines for good water manufacturing state that water processing and storage must be under clean conditions. It must be free of water-borne contaminants and bacteria. In addition, there must be a testing of the water for quality and safety. If the companies follow these guidelines, they can pack the water without any indication of the expiration date. But why would the companies still put an expiration date in the bottles? They indicate the expiration date to indicate the time when it is best to consume the product. When you drink the water after the expiration date, it is not unsafe. However, it will taste different and may become unappealing to the consumers.FDA regulates the Water Bottles

How to Choose the Right Bottled Water
Aside from checking the shelf life of the bottled water, there are other considerations to determine if it is safe for drinking:Look For Water That Has Been Purified
For someone who has a weak immune system, choose water that is free of parasites or Cryptosporidium-free. For healthy people, the parasite could cause only mild disease. Meanwhile, it could be fatal for those who have a weak immune system. Thus, always opt for water that goes through distillation, filtration using a 1-micron filter, and reverse osmosis.Opt for Water with Certification From NSF Or IBWA
You could opt for products from manufacturers that follow best practices. Check if they have certification from the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) or National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) International. These organizations keep a routine check on the quality of the water bottles they produce in the market.Storing the Water Bottles
