[orbsycli]

Why is there magnesium solfate, potassium bicarbonate, and potassium chloride in my purified drinking water?

[Mercedes Benzene]

I'm pretty sure that they add those for taste.
I don't know if I've ever tasted pure water, but I would imagine that we are so used to "flavored" water, that pure water just wouldn't taste right. Has anyone had distilled water before?
Very interesting question though. I'll try to look around some.

[Mercedes Benzene]

I was just thinking that perhaps they add trace minerals to help the body... but then again, it doesn't give amounts on the label, which leads me to believe that they would have no beneficial effect on the body.
It remains a mystery.

[pgrmdave]

Distilled water is okay...it sorta just tastes wet...

[Boerseun]

We get mineral water here with such flowery descriptions of how this specific water have lain undisturbed for millions of years in an underground cave etc., etc., and then they slap a SELL-BY DATE ON IT!!!

How would six months extra on a shop shelf make this water suddenly undrinkable after it's been maturing for millions of years? Damn marketers...

[Buffy]

Originally Posted by Boerseun

...and then they slap a SELL-BY DATE ON IT!!!...Damn marketers...

Its called "Planned Obsolescence." If they could figure out a way legally to make it go bad they would, but its those damn lawyers...

Course the Saudi's are famed for pointing out that we pay more for "mineral water" that comes out of the local tap than we do for gas....

Watering down the debate,
Buffy

[Jay-qu]

I think water is a completely tastless compound - but will get a taste from the vessel in which it is held. If its spring/mineral water it will naturally have those compounds in it - or it is purified water perhaps they where added to simulate spring water

[Boerseun]

Interestingly, 100% clean and clear H2O can't be perfectly tasteless, if only for the salt difference between your tongue and the saltless water. Osmotic pressure should create some sort of taste, I'm sure...?

[Michaelangelica]

Originally Posted by Boerseun

We get mineral water here with such flowery descriptions of how this specific water have lain undisturbed for millions of years in an underground cave etc., etc., and then they slap a SELL-BY DATE ON IT!!!

It is not the marketeers it is the government.
Here the maximum sell by date is two years from creation. So you find sell by dates on all sorts of things that don't need it like canned goods, vinegar, mustards, sauces, etc.

Distilled water tastes "flat' to me.

I would be more worried about the chlorinated hydrocarbons and organophosphates in my water.

[Jay-qu]

Well distilled water has been boiled, so it would have less disolved gasses in it..