Bottled water is usually tagged as pure and healthy, but after actually conducting a few brands of bottled water with a TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) meter, the story is not that simple. Some of the bottles had TDS readings of 120–200 ppm, which is said to be good for flavor and mineral content. Others, however, had levels as low as 10–30 ppm — i.e., they were so purified that they contained little or no essential minerals such as calcium and magnesium. While technically not harmful, water that’s too pure may not be providing the health benefits we assume. The real shock is that most brands do not report their TDS levels or purification processes at all. So while bottled water can be convenient, it’s not always the most nutritious or transparent option. Testing it with a TDS meter opened my eyes to the fact that sometimes, your home RO water might be just as good — or even better — than what you’re paying extra for in a bottle.
