Birštonas Mineral Water's products, "Vytautas" and "Birutė," are perhaps the most popular in Lithuania. This is due to their consumption over many decades, the good mineral composition of these waters, and an active advertising campaign. The manufacturers of these waters claim that Vytautas – the first and oldest Lithuanian mineral water, with the most minerals in the Baltic countries, produced since 1924. The most medically researched water in Lithuania due to its recognised effects, it is suitable for both spa and daily consumption. This is what is written about "Birutė" mineral water: "We come from the depths of the earth, therefore we contain minerals vital to humans – calcium, magnesium, potassium. Refreshing and light in taste, it effectively quenches thirst and provides the body with essential minerals and trace elements." The company traces its origins back to 1924, when mineral water was first bottled industrially in Lithuania, carbonated, and prepared for wider consumption. Given that the waters of this region were widely known for their acknowledged beneficial properties, it was decided to build a factory in the town of Birštonas so that people could consume the water with its unique properties not only in resort conditions but also more broadly.
Now let's get to know "Birutė" and "Vytautas" better. Let's examine how much and what kind of minerals these mineral waters contain. Table 1 presents the results of the chemical analysis of these waters (the concentrations of these minerals may vary slightly, but I believe the variations are not significant).
1 lentelė. Chemical analysis results for the natural mineral waters "Birutė" and "Vytautas".
Water quality indicator, its units
Water quality indicator value
"Birutė"
Vytautas
pH, pH units
7,27
7,22
Specific electrical conductivity (SEC), mS/cm
4,43
10,16
Permanganate number,
Magnesium oxide2/L
1,35
1,0
Overall hardness, meq/L
16,05
47,6
Total mineralisation, g/L
2,7
7,3
Cations
Sodium (Na+), mg/L
650
1727
Call us (K+), mg/L
6
32
Calcium (Ca)2+), mg/L
186
552
Magnesium (Mg)2+), mg/L
81
240
Anjonae
Chloride (Cl–), mg/L
1204
3480
Sulphates (SO42–), mg/L
375
989
Hydrocarbons (HCO)3–), mg/L
243
300
Brief comment
"Birutė"Because this water mainly contains sodium and calcium cations and chloride anions, it can be called sodium-calcium chloride water. This is a medium mineralisation, very weakly alkaline (pH just over 7), and low in organic matter (low permanganate value) water. By drinking this water, the body receives a considerable amount of minerals that it greatly needs (calcium, magnesium and potassium ions).
"Vytautas"This water (like "Birutė") is also dominated by sodium and calcium cations and chloride anions. Therefore, it can also be called sodium-calcium chloride water. The mineralisation of this water is significantly higher than that of "Birutė". A closer study of the chemical analysis results of these mineral waters shows that the concentration of the main ions in "Vytautas" is approximately 2.6-2.8 times higher than in "Birutė". Roughly speaking, by diluting "Vytautas" with deionised water about 3 times, one can obtain water similar to "Birutė". To be serious, one needs to drink about 3 times more "Birutė" than "Vytautas" for the body to receive a similar amount of minerals. All in all, the statement heard in the "Vytautas" television advertisement, "the water with the most minerals", is clearly correct.
Table 2 shows the daily recommended intake of various minerals for adults (in mg), as recommended by health professionals (hygienists), and the proportion of these recommended intakes (%) contained in one litre of the mineral waters under consideration.
Table 2. The recommended daily intake of minerals for an adult (mg) and the proportion of this intake (%) contained in one litre of mineral water.
Mineral substance
Concentration of mineral substances in the natural mineral water "Birutė"
The concentration of mineral substances in the natural mineral water "Vytautas"
Recommended daily allowance of mineral substances for an adult, mg
Recommended daily allowance as part of one litre of "Birutė" natural mineral water,%
Recommended daily intake proportion in one litre of "Vytautas" natural mineral water,%
Calcium ions (Ca2+)
186
552
800
23,25
69
Magnesium ion (Mg2+)
81
240
375
21,6
64
Kalio jonai (K+)
6
32
2000
0,3
1,6
Sodium ions (Na+)
650
1727
–
–
–
Chloride ions (Cl–)
1204
3480
800
150,5
435
Sulfate ions (SO42–)
375
989
–
–
–
The data in Table 2 show that by drinking one litre of ‘Birutė’ per day, an adult’s body receives 23.25% of the recommended daily intake of calcium and 21.6% of the recommended daily intake of magnesium, whereas drinking one litre of ‘Vytautas’ provides as much as 69% of the daily requirement of calcium and 64% of the daily requirement of magnesium. That is not bad, but alongside the good things, as a rule, there are also some not-so-good ones. After drinking one litre of these mineral waters, the body receives too many chloride ions (in simpler terms, too much table salt). Medical literature states that table salt raises blood pressure. This statement is true, as I have personally tested it. People with high blood pressure should bear this in mind. Enjoy.
Nitrates in water are chemicals that can enter water from fertilisers, sewage, or industrial sources. High levels of nitrates in drinking water can be dangerous to health, especially for infants and pregnant women, as they can interfere with oxygen transport in the body. Water testing helps to determine their levels. The main problem with groundwater is excessive iron compounds, sometimes manganese, ammonia or...
Have you noticed changes in water quality and are you wondering what could have caused them? We have all the answers to help you solve your water quality concerns. What determines water colour? Water colour is determined by coloured organic matter, metals, or various industrial wastewater present in it. When humic acids are present in water, the intestinal walls allow significantly more calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, zinc, and sulphates...
Jei paklaustume, kas yra vanduo, pirmiausia tikriausiai atsakytumėte – H2O. Ir tai būtų visai teisingas atsakymas, tik formuluotė būtų kiek kitokia. Tai – vandens cheminė formulė, kurią pirmųjų išmoko dar mokykloje ir ne veltui, nes vanduo yra mūsų visa ko pagrindas, netgi ir mūsų kūno, mūsų aplinkos, žemės, kurioje gyvename. Puikiai žinoma, kad be maisto žmogus …
What is a FAMILY CARD? As of September 2019, families with numerous children and children with disabilities, regardless of their age, can take advantage of the Family Card, which provides discounts on goods and services offered by partners. The Family Card provides special benefits, services, privileges, or discounts on goods and events, but it does not replace a bank card. Family Card holders gain the opportunity to use one-off...
"Birutė" and "Vytautas" Natural Mineral Waters
Birštonas Mineral Water's products, "Vytautas" and "Birutė," are perhaps the most popular in Lithuania. This is due to their consumption over many decades, the good mineral composition of these waters, and an active advertising campaign. The manufacturers of these waters claim that Vytautas – the first and oldest Lithuanian mineral water, with the most minerals in the Baltic countries, produced since 1924. The most medically researched water in Lithuania due to its recognised effects, it is suitable for both spa and daily consumption. This is what is written about "Birutė" mineral water: "We come from the depths of the earth, therefore we contain minerals vital to humans – calcium, magnesium, potassium. Refreshing and light in taste, it effectively quenches thirst and provides the body with essential minerals and trace elements." The company traces its origins back to 1924, when mineral water was first bottled industrially in Lithuania, carbonated, and prepared for wider consumption. Given that the waters of this region were widely known for their acknowledged beneficial properties, it was decided to build a factory in the town of Birštonas so that people could consume the water with its unique properties not only in resort conditions but also more broadly.
Now let's get to know "Birutė" and "Vytautas" better. Let's examine how much and what kind of minerals these mineral waters contain. Table 1 presents the results of the chemical analysis of these waters (the concentrations of these minerals may vary slightly, but I believe the variations are not significant).
1 lentelė. Chemical analysis results for the natural mineral waters "Birutė" and "Vytautas".
Water quality indicator, its units
Water quality indicator value
"Birutė"
Vytautas
pH, pH units
7,27
7,22
Specific electrical conductivity (SEC), mS/cm
4,43
10,16
Permanganate number,
Magnesium oxide2/L
1,35
1,0
Overall hardness, meq/L
16,05
47,6
Total mineralisation, g/L
2,7
7,3
Cations
Sodium (Na+), mg/L
650
1727
Call us (K+), mg/L
6
32
Calcium (Ca)2+), mg/L
186
552
Magnesium (Mg)2+), mg/L
81
240
Anjonae
Chloride (Cl–), mg/L
1204
3480
Sulphates (SO42–), mg/L
375
989
Hydrocarbons (HCO)3–), mg/L
243
300
Brief comment
"Birutė"Because this water mainly contains sodium and calcium cations and chloride anions, it can be called sodium-calcium chloride water. This is a medium mineralisation, very weakly alkaline (pH just over 7), and low in organic matter (low permanganate value) water. By drinking this water, the body receives a considerable amount of minerals that it greatly needs (calcium, magnesium and potassium ions).
"Vytautas"This water (like "Birutė") is also dominated by sodium and calcium cations and chloride anions. Therefore, it can also be called sodium-calcium chloride water. The mineralisation of this water is significantly higher than that of "Birutė". A closer study of the chemical analysis results of these mineral waters shows that the concentration of the main ions in "Vytautas" is approximately 2.6-2.8 times higher than in "Birutė". Roughly speaking, by diluting "Vytautas" with deionised water about 3 times, one can obtain water similar to "Birutė". To be serious, one needs to drink about 3 times more "Birutė" than "Vytautas" for the body to receive a similar amount of minerals. All in all, the statement heard in the "Vytautas" television advertisement, "the water with the most minerals", is clearly correct.
Table 2 shows the daily recommended intake of various minerals for adults (in mg), as recommended by health professionals (hygienists), and the proportion of these recommended intakes (%) contained in one litre of the mineral waters under consideration.
Table 2. The recommended daily intake of minerals for an adult (mg) and the proportion of this intake (%) contained in one litre of mineral water.
Mineral substance
Concentration of mineral substances in the natural mineral water "Birutė"
The concentration of mineral substances in the natural mineral water "Vytautas"
Recommended daily allowance of mineral substances for an adult, mg
Recommended daily allowance as part of one litre of "Birutė" natural mineral water,%
Recommended daily intake proportion in one litre of "Vytautas" natural mineral water, %
Calcium ions (Ca2+)
186
552
800
23,25
69
Magnesium ion (Mg2+)
81
240
375
21,6
64
Kalio jonai (K+)
6
32
2000
0,3
1,6
Sodium ions (Na+)
650
1727
–
–
–
Chloride ions (Cl–)
1204
3480
800
150,5
435
Sulfate ions (SO42–)
375
989
–
–
–
The data in Table 2 show that by drinking one litre of ‘Birutė’ per day, an adult’s body receives 23.25% of the recommended daily intake of calcium and 21.6% of the recommended daily intake of magnesium, whereas drinking one litre of ‘Vytautas’ provides as much as 69% of the daily requirement of calcium and 64% of the daily requirement of magnesium. That is not bad, but alongside the good things, as a rule, there are also some not-so-good ones. After drinking one litre of these mineral waters, the body receives too many chloride ions (in simpler terms, too much table salt). Medical literature states that table salt raises blood pressure. This statement is true, as I have personally tested it. People with high blood pressure should bear this in mind. Enjoy.
Related Posts
Nitrates in well water and their removal
Nitrates in water are chemicals that can enter water from fertilisers, sewage, or industrial sources. High levels of nitrates in drinking water can be dangerous to health, especially for infants and pregnant women, as they can interfere with oxygen transport in the body. Water testing helps to determine their levels. The main problem with groundwater is excessive iron compounds, sometimes manganese, ammonia or...
What determines the taste, colour, and smell of water?
Have you noticed changes in water quality and are you wondering what could have caused them? We have all the answers to help you solve your water quality concerns. What determines water colour? Water colour is determined by coloured organic matter, metals, or various industrial wastewater present in it. When humic acids are present in water, the intestinal walls allow significantly more calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, zinc, and sulphates...
Geriamas vanduo ir jo naudos
Jei paklaustume, kas yra vanduo, pirmiausia tikriausiai atsakytumėte – H2O. Ir tai būtų visai teisingas atsakymas, tik formuluotė būtų kiek kitokia. Tai – vandens cheminė formulė, kurią pirmųjų išmoko dar mokykloje ir ne veltui, nes vanduo yra mūsų visa ko pagrindas, netgi ir mūsų kūno, mūsų aplinkos, žemės, kurioje gyvename. Puikiai žinoma, kad be maisto žmogus …
Our family card partners
What is a FAMILY CARD? As of September 2019, families with numerous children and children with disabilities, regardless of their age, can take advantage of the Family Card, which provides discounts on goods and services offered by partners. The Family Card provides special benefits, services, privileges, or discounts on goods and events, but it does not replace a bank card. Family Card holders gain the opportunity to use one-off...