Dubai's best bottled water

Water, we were always told, is the healthiest drink. But some brands are better for you than others Discuss this article

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With the Water Codex III* under our belt and Dr Lanalle Chapman Dunn, naturopathic physician at Medi-Clinic’s expertise at hand, Anna Whitehouse checks out the best H20 for you. (*The higher the Water Codex, the better the taste).

Ferrarelle

Dhs15 for 500 ml
Sodium: Not declared
Chloride: 19 mg per litre
H2-Oh: ‘This should be fine. It’s a little concerning they don’t have the sodium levels on there, but the chloride is nothing to worry about other than a little bloating.’
Water Codex: 40
Time Out: ‘There’s a weird air of citrus, bordering on the chemical’
Go to: www.ferrarelle.com

Aquafina

Dhs3 for 600 ml
Sodium: 16 mg per litre
Chloride: Not declared
H2-Oh: ‘The problem with sodium is that it increases thirst and needs to be offset with an adequate balance of electrolytes. There’s no concern here, although again, they should declare the chloride.’
Water Codex: 32
Time Out: ‘If anything a little bit metallic, but not bad overall’
Go to: www.aquafina.com

Arwa

Dhs2 for 500 ml
Sodium: 3.3 mg per litre
Chloride: 1 mg per litre
H2-Oh: ‘If you suffer from water retention, this is a great water. It’s also good for anyone with blood pressure issues.’
Water Codex: 42
Time Out: ‘A good little thirst quencher’
Go to: www.arwa.com

San Pellegrino

Dhs24 for 1.5 litres
Sodium: 36.1
Chloride: 57.5
H2-Oh: ‘Soda waters can decrease calcium, so anyone with osteoporosis or women going through menopause should drink in moderation.’
Water Codex: 44
Time Out: ‘The Kate Moss of water bottles. And it tastes decent too’
Go to: www.sanpellegrino.it

Super Gulf

Dhs5 for 1.5 litres
Sodium: 30 mg per litre
Chloride: 45 mg per litre
H2-Oh: ‘If something tastes bitter it’s usually not a good sign.’
Water Codex: 12
Time Out: ‘If the label doesn’t put you off, the taste will. Only for emergencies’
Go to: www.supergulf.ae

Qvarzia

Dhs24 for 750 ml
Sodium: 1.9 mg per litre
Chloride: 5.2 mg per litre
H2-Oh: ‘Again, the sodium and chloride levels are low here, so anyone suffering water retention would be good on this water.’
Water Codex: 42
Time Out: ‘Watery with H20 overtones and a very real sense of wetness. Tasty.’
Go to: www.quarzia.com

Oxygizer

Dhs8.50 for 500 ml
Sodium: 1.2 mg per litre
Chloride: 0.6 mg per litre
H2-Oh: ‘Oxygenated water is a bit of a fad. If it was pumped with ozone then that would make a difference because it negates the effects of nitrates.’
Water Codex: 38
Time Out: ‘It tastes like a breath of fresh air’
Go to: www.oxygizer.com

Crystal

Dhs2 for 500 ml
Sodium: 20 mg per litre
Chloride: 60 mg per litre
H2-Oh: ‘This is fairly high in sodium and potassium, so again bloating is likely to occur.’
Water Codex: 10
Time Out: ‘Nothing much to report other than a faint chemical after taste’
Go to: www.crystal.com

Evian

Dhs5 for X ml
Sodium: 6.5 mg per litre
Chloride: 6.8 mg per litre
H2-Oh: ‘I drink Evian. It’s full of minerals that quite a few Dubai waters (other than Masafi) tend to lack.’
Water Codex: 34
Time Out: ‘A well loved brand, but tastes similar to Masafi.’
Go to: www.evian.com

Wattwiller

Dhs24 for 500ml
Sodium: 3 mg per litre
Chloride: 5 mg per litre
H2-Oh: ‘This sounds like it’s worth its price tag. Both sodium and chloride levels are low and equal and will reduce bloating.’
Water Codex: 58
Time Out: ‘Earthy, full, but soft… it’s like it’s come from the ground’
Go to: www.wattwiller.com

Masafi

Dhs2.50 for 1.5 litre
Sodium: 10 mg per litre
Chloride: 47 mg per litre
H2-Oh: ‘I would drink Masafi – I prefer it to Aquafina. It’s because the former is packed with good minerals.’
Water Codex: 34
Time Out: ‘Tastes like Evian’
Go to: www.masafi.com

Acqua Panna

Dhs24 for 1.5 litre
Sodium: Not declared
Chloride: Not declared
H2-Oh: ‘The mineral levels should be on the label. Again, this is soda water, so I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone with osteoporosis or the menopause.’
Water Codex: 48
Time Out: ‘Surprisingly dry in taste but with a hint of earth about it’
Go to: www.acquapanna.com

All tastings are based on The San Pellegrino and Acqua Panna Water Codex III and are intended as a guide only. Call The harbour Hotel & Residence’s restaurant, Azur (04 319 4794) for more information.