Lithium in Portuguese Bottled Natural Mineral Waters—Potential for Health Benefits?

There is increasing epidemiologic and experimental evidence that lithium (Li) exhibits significant health benefits, even at concentrations lower than the therapeutic oral doses prescribed as treatment for mental disorders. The aim of this study is to determine the content of Li in 18 brands of bottl...

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Main Authors: Maria Orquídia Neves, José Marques, Hans G.M. Eggenkamp
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2020-11-01
Series:International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/22/8369
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spelling doaj-64e2a69035f7451e8509a62f5f754e8f2020-11-25T04:07:03ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health1661-78271660-46012020-11-01178369836910.3390/ijerph17228369Lithium in Portuguese Bottled Natural Mineral Waters—Potential for Health Benefits?Maria Orquídia Neves0José Marques1Hans G.M. Eggenkamp2Department of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Georesources, CERENA (Centro de Recursos Naturais e Ambiente), Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, 1049-001 Lisbon, PortugalDepartment of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Georesources, CERENA (Centro de Recursos Naturais e Ambiente), Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, 1049-001 Lisbon, PortugalDepartment of Petrology and Mineral Resources, Eberhard-Karls University of Tübingen, Schnarrenbergstraße 94-96, 72076 Tübingen, GermanyThere is increasing epidemiologic and experimental evidence that lithium (Li) exhibits significant health benefits, even at concentrations lower than the therapeutic oral doses prescribed as treatment for mental disorders. The aim of this study is to determine the content of Li in 18 brands of bottled natural mineral waters that are available on the Portuguese market and from which the sources are found within the Portuguese territory, to provide data for Li intake from drinking water. Analyses of Li were performed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The results indicate highly different Li concentrations in natural mineral waters: one group with low Li concentrations (up to 11 µg Li/L) and a second group with Li concentrations higher than 100 µg/L. The highest Li concentrations (>1500 µg Li/L) were observed in the highly mineralized Na-HCO<sub>3</sub> type waters that are naturally carbonated (>250 mg/L free CO<sub>2</sub>). As a highly bioavailable source for Li dietary intake these natural mineral waters have potential for Li health benefits but should be consumed in a controlled manner due to its Na and F<sup>−</sup> contents. The consumption of as little as 0.25 L/day of Vidago natural mineral water (2220 µg Li/L), can contribute up to 50% of the proposed daily requirement of 1 mg Li/day for an adult (70 kg body weight). In future, Li epidemiological studies that concern the potential Li effect or health benefits from Li in drinking water should consider not only the Li intake from tap water but also intake from natural mineral water that is consumed in order to adjust the Li intake of the subjects.https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/22/8369lithium intakenatural mineral waterhealth benefitspublic health
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Maria Orquídia Neves
José Marques
Hans G.M. Eggenkamp
spellingShingle Maria Orquídia Neves
José Marques
Hans G.M. Eggenkamp
Lithium in Portuguese Bottled Natural Mineral Waters—Potential for Health Benefits?
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
lithium intake
natural mineral water
health benefits
public health
author_facet Maria Orquídia Neves
José Marques
Hans G.M. Eggenkamp
author_sort Maria Orquídia Neves
title Lithium in Portuguese Bottled Natural Mineral Waters—Potential for Health Benefits?
title_short Lithium in Portuguese Bottled Natural Mineral Waters—Potential for Health Benefits?
title_full Lithium in Portuguese Bottled Natural Mineral Waters—Potential for Health Benefits?
title_fullStr Lithium in Portuguese Bottled Natural Mineral Waters—Potential for Health Benefits?
title_full_unstemmed Lithium in Portuguese Bottled Natural Mineral Waters—Potential for Health Benefits?
title_sort lithium in portuguese bottled natural mineral waters—potential for health benefits?
publisher MDPI AG
series International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
issn 1661-7827
1660-4601
publishDate 2020-11-01
description There is increasing epidemiologic and experimental evidence that lithium (Li) exhibits significant health benefits, even at concentrations lower than the therapeutic oral doses prescribed as treatment for mental disorders. The aim of this study is to determine the content of Li in 18 brands of bottled natural mineral waters that are available on the Portuguese market and from which the sources are found within the Portuguese territory, to provide data for Li intake from drinking water. Analyses of Li were performed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The results indicate highly different Li concentrations in natural mineral waters: one group with low Li concentrations (up to 11 µg Li/L) and a second group with Li concentrations higher than 100 µg/L. The highest Li concentrations (>1500 µg Li/L) were observed in the highly mineralized Na-HCO<sub>3</sub> type waters that are naturally carbonated (>250 mg/L free CO<sub>2</sub>). As a highly bioavailable source for Li dietary intake these natural mineral waters have potential for Li health benefits but should be consumed in a controlled manner due to its Na and F<sup>−</sup> contents. The consumption of as little as 0.25 L/day of Vidago natural mineral water (2220 µg Li/L), can contribute up to 50% of the proposed daily requirement of 1 mg Li/day for an adult (70 kg body weight). In future, Li epidemiological studies that concern the potential Li effect or health benefits from Li in drinking water should consider not only the Li intake from tap water but also intake from natural mineral water that is consumed in order to adjust the Li intake of the subjects.
topic lithium intake
natural mineral water
health benefits
public health
url https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/22/8369
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