What kind of bottled water do Romanians drink and how do they choose it?

Romanians know they should drink 2 liters of water per day, but most of them manage of consume only half of this quantity. A recent study conducted by Exact Cercetare si Consultanta reveals when Romanians drink bottled water and on what criteria they choose the water. Romanians drink mineral water in the morning, right after waking up, at night, during/after sports activities, before/after meals and whenever they feel thirsty. They choose to drink sparkling mineral water occasionally, and most of the times combined with wine or syrup. Romanians drink this type of water especially in the summer, as it quenches thirst faster than still mineral water. They also use it in diets, replacing sodas with high sugar content. Romanians always have still mineral water in their homes, mainly purchased from hypermarkets and supermarkets, according to Denisa Iacoboaea, qualitative researcher executive at Exact Cercetare si Consultanta, quoted by local Dailybusiness.ro. Romanians choose the type of water based on several criteria. In the case of still mineral water, they select it based on taste, brand, chemical composition, and doctor’s advice. When it comes to sparkling water, Romanians want natural “bubbles” and look at the name. Romanians believe that still mineral water is the primary ingredient of a healthy lifestyle, provides a higher degree of hydration compared to the sparkling one and can be consumed in large quantities as it contains no acid that could cause stomach discomfort. Its only disadvantage is the price. Romanians think that still mineral water is a bit too expensive considering this is the most important product in people’s lives. The sparkling mineral water's main advantages are its chemical composition and the ability to ease thirst faster than the still water. It is also an ideal base for creating alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and is also used in the kitchen, in making pancakes, for example. The acid can cause stomach discomfort however and can affect the kidneys. Romanians’ favorite water brands are Dorna, Borsec, Bucovina and Aqua Carpatica, the study also shows. Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com