Avaliação do potencial alcalinizante das águas minerais comercialmente disponíveis em território brasileiro

Abstract

Objective: To characterize the profile of commercially available mineral waters in Brazil (from national and international sources) by calculating the potential renal acid load (PRAL). Methods: We evaluated 308 commercially available mineral waters in the five Brazilian macroregions. The content of sulfate, chloride, sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium from mineral waters were obtained to calculate the PRAL, using Remers & Manz formula, adapted for mineral waters. Results: From the 308 mineral waters collected, 256 were included in this analysis. We found a great variability in the composition of mineral waters according to the source and country of origin. All the components analyzed were present in greater quantities in the mineral waters from international sources and differed significantly from the values found in the mineral waters from Brazilian sources, with the exception of potassium and sodium (Mg: 1,9 vs 6,8, p=0,0008; Ca: 5,78 vs 32,9, p=0,001; SO4: 0,9 vs 13, p<0,0001; Cl: 1,49 vs 12, p=0,0019, mineral waters from Brazilian sources versus international sources, respectively). The PRAL value of mineral waters from Brazilian sources was also statistically different (-0,39 vs -1,39; p=0,0025). The potential basifying / acidifying effects of the mineral water evaluated by PRAL did not correlate with the pH value. The magnesium and bicarbonate content were the major predictors of a negative PRAL - the higher the content thereof, lower the PRAL. Conclusion: The mineral waters from Brazilian sources have a low grade of mineralization and the vast majority (n=201) have a PRAL value considered neutral