MINERAL WATER DONAT Mg and ITS INFLUENCE on PEOPLE's HEALTH

УПРАВЛЕНИЕ И ОБРАЗОВАНИЕ MANAGEMENT AND EDUCATION TOM VI (4) 2010 VOL. VI (4) 2010

MINERAL WATER DONAT Mg AND ITS INFLUENCE ON PEOPLE'S HEALTH

Rožica Slavica Ferjančič

МИНЕРАЛНАТА ВОДА DONAT Mg И НЕЙНОТО ВЛИЯНИЕ ВЪРХУ ЧОВЕШКОТО ЗДРАВЕ

Рожица Славица Фержанчич

ABSTRACT: The chosen Slovenian natural mineral water Donat Mg that consists of mineral substances, trace elements and other components has specific physiological and nutritional effects, therefore it influences people’s health. Donat Mg is recommended for heartburn, stomach and bile syndromes, constipation, disturbances of hearth rhythm, muscle cramps …, because it lowers the level of raised cholesterol, reduces the possibility of kidney stone formation, lowers raised uric acid level, assists in the prevention of osteoporosis, improves metabolism, helps to burn fat, etc. Thus, Donat Mg influences digestive organs and metabolism. However, it must not be drunk by patients undergoing dialysis treatment and patients suffering from severe kidney failure (kidney insufficiency). This jewel of nature is an irreplaceable stimulus of our metabolism; this is why it is recommended to drink it throughout one’s lifetime. It is unique natural mineral water with a global scope. Keywords: natural mineral water, Donat Mg, metabolism, mineral substances, health

Introduction properties and published the then alchemical analysis of water in Frankfurt (Oder). The By greater pollution of living environment the springs became really famous through the book content of contaminants, either actually or poten- written by the court physician Sorbait and pub- tially toxic substances, in drinking water is in- lished in 1679; consequently they started to ex- creasing, therefore its quality is lowering. Paral- port the water even to Vienna. On the basis of lel with that, the concerns for people’s health are scientific discussions and the highest recommen- increasing, as well as awareness of healthy nutri- dations, the then Europe invited the European tion and that is reflected in greater consumption affluent people to the so-called Karlovy Vary of of mineral waters because their original purity the southern Alpine countries, namely to Ro- ranks above the purity of ordinary drinking wa- gaška Slatina (http://www.donatmg.net/, ters. Mineral waters of the highest quality are Utenkar, Mlacović 2009, Čoh 2008, 2009). natural mineral waters. Among those we place The first spring that made Rogaška Slatina the chosen natural mineral water Donat Mg, widely recognizable was Tempel. As far back as which is a unique mineral water with high con- 1869, Rogaška mineral water was the third best tent of mineral substances that are of vital impor- selling mineral water in the world, and people tance because of their therapeutic effects. More- drank it everywhere. Later the following two over, this natural mineral water incorporates the springs also became famous: the Styria spring highest amount of magnesium in the world. This (1884) and the Donat spring (1908), known for water is found in earth’s depth of Slovenia, more highly mineralised water. All this led to new precisely in the oldest spa resort at Rogaška Sla- researches, contemporary devices and new tech- tina (Drinovec, Bagar-Povše 1997, Pravilnik o nological procedures. The exploitation wells for pitni vodi 2004) mineral water are more than 600 metres under the surface. Therefore the technological progress The history of Rogaška Slatina and the development of the health spa resort at Rogaška Slatina took its own course. Nowadays, The first written records on Rogaška Slatina Rogaška Slatina is a modern spa city, reach in springs date back to 1572, when physician Leon- tradition. For the present, the enterprise Droga hard Thurneysser firstly described their healing Kolinska d.d., local branch PE Rogaški Vrelci

367 Rogaška Slatina, runs the springs and bottling procedure, the same content of carbon dioxide as complex of mineral waters (Tempel, Donat Mg) at source, even though carbon dioxide is released and spring water Tiha. Near these springs there is on account of the preparing of the natural min- also a reservoir (since 1992) of thermal mineral eral water and is later replaced with the appropri- water with a temperature of 63ºC (Šorli 1922, ate amount from the same source; Mlacović 1995, http://www.donatmg.net/). - natural mineral water with its own supplemented carbon dioxide has, after a handling Natural mineral waters procedure, a higher content of carbon dioxide than at source; Natural mineral waters, among which we - natural mineral water with supplemented classify natural mineral water Donat Mg, are carbon dioxide – carbon dioxide is a supplement underground waters with special chemical and to the water which is not from the same source as physical qualities. The underground source must the natural mineral water; be protected from pollution of any kind whatso- - natural mineral water without carbon diox- ever. The spring on the surface or the well must ide contains carbon dioxide merely in such an be protected from an influx of surface water and amount as is necessary for maintenance of hy- from the possibility of pollution of any kind drogen carbonate balance (http://www. donatmg. whatsoever. The area, under which the individual net/, Pravilnik o naravni mineralni vodi, izvirski mineral waters are discovered, has to be particu- vodi in namizni vodi 2004, Pravilnik o spre- larly marked and protected. Natural mineral wa- membah in dopolnitvah Pravilnika o pitni vodi, ters have the same purity as spring waters and 2004, Directive 2009/54/EC of The European this property does not change with bottling. Hy- Parliament and of The Council of 18 June 2009 gienic and bacteriological standards are typical on the exploitation and marketing of natural of natural mineral waters already at their sources, mineral waters, Council Directive 98/83/EC of 3 being a result of the great depths from which November 1998 on the quality of water intended they originate. These waters can have nutritional for human consumption, Čoh 2009). and physiological effects; therefore it is neces- The properties of natural mineral water arise sary to carry out a research on the properties of from the contents of its mineral substances, trace natural mineral water and its effects on human elements and other components, and can have organisms. Such researches (pharmacological, defined nutritional and physiological effects. The physiological, clinical) have to be conducted in water, on its course through the earth’s inner compliance with scientifically approved methods depths, vigorously wears away the stones due to (Drinovec, Bagar-Povše 1997). During the han- its physical and chemical properties (the influ- dling procedures of natural mineral waters it is ence of pressure, temperature and the presence of allowed: gasses, especially carbon dioxide). In such a way 1. to take water at source and fill or pack it in aqueous solutions come into existence, differing such a way that this does not affect its quality or in accordance with the quantity and diversity of alter its natural properties; the dissolved mineral substances which they 2. to employ precisely defined physical and contain (http://www.donatmg.net/, Pravilnik o mechanical handling procedures that, among naravni mineralni vodi, izvirski vodi in namizni other things, enable the removal of non- vodi 2004, Pravilnik o spremembah in dopolnit- permanent iron, manganese and sulphur com- vah Pravilnika o pitni vodi, 2004, Directive pounds which, in adverse instances, could pre- 2009/54/EC of The European Parliament and of cipitate the loss of property values in the indi- The Council of 18 June 2009 on the exploitation vidually packaged units. Provisional oxidation is and marketing of natural mineral waters, Council also permitted, so that the dissolving of these Directive 98/83/EC of 3 November 1998 on the compounds is reduced prior to their removal, quality of water intended for human consump- which proves more effective in this way; tion, Čoh 2009). 3. to (totally or partly) extract carbon dioxide by The diversity of the dissolved mineral sub- means of physical methods and to introduce or stances in the natural mineral waters depends on re-introduce carbon dioxide. Thus, natural min- underground environment, the depth of the water eral waters differentiate among themselves due paths and the length of time the water has been in to the content and source of carbon dioxide: its underground tract. A quarter of the 92 natural - natural mineral water which has a natural elements emerge also as components of the min- content of carbon dioxide has, after handling eral waters (http://www.donatmg.net/).

368 Table 1: Components of the mineral waters Table 2: The content of natural mineral water Donat Mg Cations Na + , K + , Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ Anions Cl - , HCO - , SO 2- 1000 ml of natural mineral water 3 4 Donat Mg contains Accompanying 2+ 2+ 2+ - Sr , Fe , Mn , F , Cations mg elements - - 2- J , Br , SiO and sev- + 1.05 3 Ammonium (NH 4 ) eral trace elements + Lithium (Li ) 3.3 Source: http://www.donatmg.net/ Sodium (Na + ) 1500 + Regarding the content of the prevailing ions, Potassium (K ) 13 natural mineral waters can be classified into in- Magnesium (Mg 2+ ) 1030 dividual types. Chemical characteristic or type Calcium (Ca 2+ ) 380 can be obtained on the basis of more than 20 2+ 6.8 percent equivalent share of cations and anions in Strontium (Sr ) one litre of water. We determine the type of wa- Iron (Fe 2+ / 3+ ) <0.1 ter by noting down all the components, according Manganese (Mn 2+ ) 0.17 to their declining values, which exceed 20 equiv- Anions alent shares, first in the percentages for cations - Fluoride (F ) 0.23 and then for anions (http://www.donatmg.net/). Chloride (Cl - ) 59 Natural mineral water Donat Mg – composi- Bromide (Br - ) 0.29 tion and designation Iodide (J - ) 0.08 Nitrate (NO3 - ) <2 Donat Mg is natural mineral water from the - <0.007 Donat spring and a follower of mineral water Nitrite (NO2 ) 2- 2400 Donat. It is one of the world’s peculiarities be- Sulphate (SO 4 ) cause it contains the highest amount of magne- Hydrogen phosphate (HPO 2- ) <0.02 sium. In one litre, 13 g of dissolved mineral sub- 4 - 7700 stances can be found, thereof 1040 mg of magne- Hydrogen carbonate (HCO 3 ) sium (Mg) or 50 millimoles of magnesium per Non-disintegratable com- litre. On account of its chemical characteristic or pounds type, natural mineral water Donat Mg is magne- Metaboric acid (HBO ) 16.6 sium-sodium-hydrogen carbonate-sulphate- 2 156 acidulous. It originates at depths of 280 to 600 m Metasilicic acid (H 2 SiO 3 ) under the earth’s surface. In compliance with its Dissolved carbon dioxide approx. 3800 age that amounts approximately 8000 years, we (CO ) can rank it among ancient underground rivers of 2 Source: http://www.donatmg.net meteoric origin. Donat Mg is officially acknowl- edged natural mineral water; the written order The components of natural mineral water concerning acknowledgment was published in Donat Mg and their influence on people’s Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia. On health the basis of analysis performed by Institute for The water is of great significance for human Public Health Maribor in the year 2004, the natu- organism, because it performs a variety of tasks ral mineral water Donat Mg has the following that are of vital importance. It builds our body – composition (Pravilnik o naravni mineralni vodi, it presents 60% of its mass and is found in cells izvirski vodi in namizni vodi, and extracellular liquid. It is a solvent and trans- http://www.donatmg.net/). port means for various substances supplied to the organisms and taken away from them. The water maintains the osmotic pressure and also regulates the body temperature due to high specific heat. Last but not least, the water is a source of ele-

369 ments that are of vital importance (Čoh 2009, due to technological procedures, processing and http://www.donatmg.net/). preservation), unhealthy nutrition (lots of sweets Magnesium and food products from white flour, a great deal More than 60% of all magnesium (the body of overcooked and roasted or fried food), too of a grown adult contains between 21 and 28 g of greasy or fatty food, food which has a very rich magnesium) is deposited in the bones, more than calcium content or which is lacking in vitamins one third is intracellular and only 1% is found in B1, B2 and B6, slimming with monotonous diet, intercellular space. It is a component part of alcoholism, smoking, feeding through a tube or a blood plasma. It can also be found in skeletal drip (over a long period of time), insufficient muscles, heart muscles, nervous system and in reabsorption of magnesium or its excessive loss large quantities in the liver. Magnesium activates through bowel resection, the use of purgatives almost all enzymes that take part in energy me- and inflammatory bowel disease resulting in tabolism processes and is present in more than diarrhoea (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative coli- 350 enzyme reactions. It regulates the entire tis), endocrine causes, such as diabetes, some nervous and muscle system. Moreover, it enables thyroid and parathyroid conditions, disease of normal transmission of impulses between the kidneys and adrenal glands, taking of diuretics nerve fibres. Scientific experts are referring to it and some antibiotics, extreme sports, pregnancy, as an anti-stress mineral and a nerve and muscle breast-feeding and stressful situations palliative (Čoh 2008, 2009, http://www,donatmg. (http://www.donatmg.net/). net/). The lack of magnesium results in constipa- Without magnesium, the metabolism of car- tion, the loss of appetite, ill-health, tiredness, bon hydrates, proteins and fats is not possible. It quick fatigue, muscle cramps, pins and needles, stabilises thrombocytes (by preventing them irritability, disturbed sleeping patterns, headache, gluing together) and is a protective element bad concentration, and psychological changes. against thrombosis. Because it lowers the amount Apathy, depression, lapses in memory and con- of fat in the blood, it works against cardiac in- centration, muscle fasciculation, the sound of farct, and it also prevents the disturbance of the bells ringing in the ears, reduced appetite, stom- hearth rhythm and strengthens the heart muscles. ach aches, diarrhoea, disturbances of the hearth It is significant for blood pressure reduction, it rhythm, even confusion, hallucinations and a prevents the formation of kidney stones, reduces coma can also occur. Research experts have as- the toxicity of various substances in the liver and certained that even healthy people are currently accelerates their regeneration. It also has a bene- suffering from a magnesium deficiency. More ficial effect on pancreas and the secretion of its often people have to encounter not apparent juices; it naturally regulates digestion and re- magnesium deficiencies, which represent 15% lieves constipation. Due to magnesium defi- low daily intake of magnesium, and not obvious ciency, a child can be born prematurely; there- deficiency of magnesium fore magnesium has an important role in both (http://www.donatmg.net/, http://www.rogaska- gynaecology and obstetrics (it is used for treating medical.com). some complications which can occur during pregnancy and childbirth). It influences male Carbon dioxide fertility, as it is one of the most significant ele- Carbon dioxide (CO2) is an important compo- ments to be found in sperm heads. We need be- nent of natural mineral waters. It naturally stabi- tween 300 and 500 mg of magnesium per day. lises the mineral waters and ensures a greater Our body absorbs between 24 and 75% of mag- feeling of refreshment, therefore we get the im- nesium from food, depending on its amount in pression that they are cooler than they actually the body and the type of food. Our daily needs of are. Carbon dioxide also increases the stomach magnesium intake are satisfied if we drink three permeability for all health beneficial drink com- to four glasses of mineral water Donat Mg every ponents, vitamins, minerals and salt, speeds up day. It has to be drunk at room temperature and the movement of the digestive organs which before meals, because magnesium is better ab- consequently has a favourable effect on diges- sorbed if it is not mixed with food tion. However, sensitive people can respond to (http://www.donatmg.net/). CO2 with hoarseness, while others can have Reasons for magnesium deficiency are: con- problems with bloating. There are no other prov- temporary diet containing less magnesium (lower en side effects. The dissolving of the carbon amount of magnesium in food products, mostly dioxide depends on pressure and temperature.

370 When the pressure is lowered and when the tem- the allowable content in the drinking water. The perature rises, the gas can escape from the water. rest of the sodium ions are bound up with bicar- There is a risk that mineral substances can sepa- bonates ions in bicarbonate of soda and with rate, which happens quite often (white marks on sulphates ions in Glauber salt; both of them are the bottles, white sediments). Thus, it is neces- used in medicine. Bicarbonate of soda maintains sary to tightly close the bottle containing mineral the PH balance of the stomach juice acids, and water after each use and keep it in a dark and Glauber salt has, together with bitter salt (mag- cool place (Čoh 2008, 2009, nesium sulphate), a purging effect. The permissi- http://www.donatmg.net/). ble daily intake of sodium is 6 g per day (1 g of sodium is found in 200 ml of water). Cooking Fluoride and iodide salt or sodium chloride raises blood pressure; Fluoride prevents the formation of caries; we sodium also expels potassium from the body need between 12 and 18 mg per day. The daily (http://www.donatmg.net/). iodide requirement is 200 mcg. It can be mostly found in the thyroid as triiodothyronine and Potassium tetraiodothyronine, both of them being the im- Potassium, together with sodium, has an ef- portant hormones of this gland. They regulate fect on the functioning of the heart muscles. It is body temperature, the condition of fluids in the essential for normal stimulation of nerves, acti- body, the central nervous system and influence vation of several enzymes and it represents an the development of organisms important element in the biosynthesis of proteins. (http://www.donatmg.net/). It is excreted through the kidneys; therefore the overdose is not possible, except for abnormal Sulphate functioning of adrenal glands. If base acid bal- In nature, sulphur is found in elementary con- ance in organisms is upset, or our eating habits dition or in the form of sulphide and sulphate. In are monotonous, if we are on a slimming diet, or mineral water Donat Mg, magnesium sulphate or sweat excessively, are under stress, have a liver bitter salt and sodium sulphate or Glauber salt is disease, take digitalis and cortisone preparations, to be found. Sulphur is a necessary construction a potassium deficiency can occur. The conse- element of amino acids (cysteine, cystine and quences of such deficiency are: muscle weak- methione), required for the manufacture of pro- ness, visible reduction of reflexes, apathy, weak- teins. It is also an essential component of vitamin ness, enlargement of the heart, increased heart- B1, biotin, insulin and keratin (for hair and beat, constipation, breathing difficulties, etc nails). Sulphates detoxify the body and assist in (http://www.donatmg.net/). construction of some amino acids. In conjunction with magnesium, they protect the stomach’s Calcium mucous membrane and works as a purgative Calcium is important for teeth and bones (Čoh 2009, http://www.donatmg.net/). strength (99% of all calcium in the body is stored in them). In the food absorption process, vitamin Chloride and sodium D plays an important part, while many hormones Chloride is a component part of the bones and are essential for the metabolic processes: para- stomach acid; together with sodium it regulates thormone raises the level of calcium in the blood, the osmotic pressure and the balance of bodily while calcitonin lowers its level in the blood, liquids. Hyperacidity – too much stomach acid, oestrogen and testosterone have a significant role which means that too much chloride is felt like in the metamorphosing of calcium in the body – heartburn. It can be soothed by antacids, among from the bones into the blood and vice versa. The which we place bicarbonate of soda, which is daily intake of calcium, as regards the adults, is found in Donat Mg. Hypochloride is a result of 800–900 mg. With age this absorption of calcium insufficient amounts of chloride or stomach acid, worsens on account of oestrogen deficiency. A consequently there is also not enough enzymes healthy person cannot overdose on calcium. and mucus, which can lead to reduced circulation However, some illnesses, like abnormal func- of blood in the stomach’s mucous membrane, its tioning of the adrenal gland, vitamin D poison- inflammation and even the onset of cancer ing, lactic-alkaline syndrome, an overactive thy- (http://www.donatmg.net/). roid or some other conditions can cause an over- Donat Mg contains 128 mg of sodium chlo- dosage of calcium (Čoh 2009, ride per litre, which amounts in 33.6 percent of http://www.donatmg.net/).

371 able to drink it throughout one’s lifetime. How- ever, it must not be drunk by patients undergoing Iron dialysis treatment and those who are suffering Is a constituent part of haemoglobin (between from severe kidney failure (kidney insufficiency) 63 and 73%), 3–5% of iron is bound to myoglo- (http://www.donatmg.net/, http://www.rogaska- bins, 0.3% to enzymes and 1% can be found in medical.com). blood plasma, a part of it is stored in proteins References (ferritin and hemosiderin), the rest is to be found in the bone marrow, the liver, mucous membrane 1. Čoh, A., (2008): Naravna nineralna voda of the urinary bladder, etc. On a daily basis, one Donat Mg: ob jubileju stoletnice, Droga Kolin- needs 10–15 mg of iron. It is necessary for trans- ska, živilska industrija, Ljubljana porting oxygen around the body to the cells and 2. Mlacović, D., (1995): Prava Rogaška: Ro- for carrying carbon dioxide back to lungs. Hae- gaške mineralne vode skozi čas, Rogaška Slatina moglobin also regulates blood reaction so that 3. Čoh, A., (2009): Voda kot izvor biološko the blood is not too alkaline or too acidic. Iron is pomembnih mineralov: mineralno uravnoteženo also a component part of some enzymes that živilo, Vloga mineralov v živilski tehnologiji in assist in the processes of removing toxic sub- prehrani, 26. Bitenčevi živilski dnevi, Bio- stances from the body tehniška fakulteta, Ljubljana (http://www.donatmg.net/). 4. Drinovec J., Bagar-Povše M., (1997): Mineralne vode in zdravje, Tehnologija – hrana – Manganese and other trace elements zdravje, 1. slovenski kongres o hrani in prehrani Manganese activates some enzymes in the z mednarodno udeležbo, april 1996, Bled, body and possibly prevents epileptic attacks. The Društvo živilskih in prehrankih strokovnih de- daily intake is between 2 and 5 mg. Its deficiency lavcev Slovenije, Ljubljana causes weakness, inflammation of the skin, vom- 5. Šorli, I., (1922): Rogaška slatina – državno iting, low fat value in the blood and weight loss. zdravilišče, Prva uradna zdraviliška brošura v Some other trace elements are also important for slovenščini, Maribor various metabolic processes in the organism and 6. Utenkar, D., Mlacović, D., (2009): Ro- they round off the medical effect of natural min- gaška Slatina mesto vode, stekla in vina, Javni eral water Donat Mg. Among them is nickel that zavod Turizem, Rogaška Slatina influences hormonal balance, conversion of fats 7. Pravilnik o naravni mineralni vodi, izvirski and stabilisation of nucleic acid, while lithium vodi in namizni vodi, Uradni list Republike Slo- and bromide have a soothing effect venije, 50 (2004) (http://www.donatmg.net/). 8. Pravilnik o spremembah in dopolnitvah Pravilnika o naravni mineralni vodi, izvirski vodi Conclusion in namizni vodi, Uradni list Republike Slovenije 75 (2005) Highly mineralised natural mineral water Do- 9. Pravilnik o pitni vodi, Uradni list Repub- nat Mg has a beneficial impact on health; its like Slovenije 19 (2004) influence is scientifically proved. It is recom- 10. Pravilnik o spremembah in dopolnitvah mended for heartburn, stomach and bile prob- Pravilnika o pitni vodi, Uradni list Republike lems, constipation, stress, depression and head- Slovenije, 35 (2004) aches, because it helps to lower raised choles- 11. Directive 2009/54/EC of The European terol levels and raised uric acid levels, it does not Parliament and of The Council of 18 June 2009 cause blood pressure to rise, it reduces the possi- on the exploitation and marketing of natural bility of kidney stone formation, assists in the mineral waters, Official Journal of the European prevention of osteoporosis, improves metabolism Union, L 164 /45, (online) (12.06.2010) URL: and helps to burn fats. We do not drink this water http://www.fsai.ie/uploadedFiles/Legislation/Foo if we are thirsty (mineral water Tempel would be d_Legisation_/Food more appropriate in such case), but we drink it if _Legisation_Links/Water/Dir2009_54.pdf for therapeutic purposes, e. g. for digestive tract 12. Council Directive 98/83/EC of 3 Novem- disorders, liver and the gall bladder problems, ber 1998 on the quality of water intended for metabolic disturbances and for magnesium defi- human consumption, Official Journal of the Eu- ciency. Donat Mg acts as an invaluable stimulus ropean Communities, L330/32 (online) on the metabolism, therefore it is recommend- (12.06.2010)

372 URL: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/ 19. History. The springs (online) Lex UriServ.do? uri=OJ:L:1998:330:0032:0054 (12.06.2010). :EN:PDF URL: http://www.donatmg.net/en/zgodovina- 13. Properties. Natural mineral waters. (on- vrelci.php line) (12.06.2010). 20. Gastro programme: For relieving chronic URL:http://www.donatmg.net/en/lastnosti- gastroenterological problems (2008) (online) naravne_mineralne_vode.php (12.06.2010). 14. Indications (online) (12.06.2010). URL: URL: http://www.rogaska-medical.com/en/ http://www.donatmg.net/en/indikacije-uvod.php gastro_programme 15. Indications. Effect on the Liver (online) (12.06.2010). URL: http://www.donatmg.net/en/ indikacije-jetra.php Rožica Slavica Ferjančič 16. Indications. Digestive organs (stomach Vocational College for Catering and Tourism and duodenum) (online) (12.06.2010). Bled URL: http:// www.donatmg.net/en/indikacije- Prešernova 32, SI-4260 Bled prebavila.php Slovenia 17. Indications. Magnesium (online) [email protected] (12.06.2010) [email protected] URL: http://www.donatmg.net/en/indikacije- magnezij.php 18. History. Donat-Rogaška from the depths. (online) (12.06.2010). URL: http://www. donatmg.net/en/zgodovina-rogaska_iz_globin.php

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