Table 3.

Minerals present in some mineral waters and examples of their biological functions in human body.

Category	Mineral	Some biological functions
Macronutrients present in the human body in modest quantities	Calcium	Bone development, regulation of muscle contraction and myocardium activity, blood clotting, nerve impulses transmission, regulation of cell permeability.
	Chlorine (Cloruri)	Hydrochloric acid formation (digestive juices for digestion process).
	Phosphorus	Protein synthesis, ATP synthesis and transport of energy in biological systems.
	Magnesium	Bone formation, nervous and muscular activities, lipid metabolism and protein synthesis, CVD protection.
	Potassium	Muscles and myocardium activities, neuromuscular excitability, acid-base balance, water retention and osmotic pressure.
	Sodium	Fundamental regulation of cell permeability and body fluids; defency is rare, but an excessive intake may be associated with high blood pressure.
	Sulphur (Solphate)	Essential amino acids, cartilage, hair and nails formation, enzyme activity in redox processes and cellular respiration, intestinal peristalsis.
Micro-nutrients trace elements, essential for some biological functions	Cobalt	Constituent of vitamin B12: growth factor, nucleic acid synthesis, hematopoiesis.
	Chromium	Enzymatic reactions involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins.
	Iron	Blood and muscle tissues: hemoglobin, myoglobin.
	Flourine (Fluoride)	Protection and prevention of tooth decay, bone development; diseases related to excess.
	Iodium (Iodide)	Essential for the synthesis of hormones that are involved in the growth process and body development.
	Manganese	Synthesis of several enzymes involved in the metabolism of proteins and sugars, bone development.
	Molybdenum	Production of enzymes associated to uric acid.
	Copper	Functionality of several enzymes in blood and muscles.
	Selenium	Protection of the muscle membrane integrity, antioxidant.