Skeletal fluorosis is a very real condition caused by excessive fluoride intake. However, it is also virtually unheard of even in areas where the natural fluoride levels in the water exceed limits normally set for fluoridation of municipal water. The lack of fluoride in bottled waters, as opposed to its presence in other water sources, has been an area of interest lately, as studies are showing an increase in cavities in children for the first time in 20 years. Some bottled water companies have begun to offer both fluoridated and unfluoridated versions of their water to reach consumers on both sides of the issue. Since most municipal water sources are fluoridated, this is a non-issue for most tap water drinkers.
Bottled water is a good source of minerals.
Indeed, some bottled waters contain a significant amount of important minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. Mineral levels in water are reported as TDS, or total dissolved solids, and measured in parts per million. The only way to determine if a particular brand of bottled water has significant content of essential minerals is to check the label. For comparison, a list of mineral RDAs is here . If you may be at risk for vitamin A or D deficiency and choose mineral water as a main calcium source, it is important to ensure that you consume foods that are rich in these nutrients.