Fiji Water Contains An Unexpected Amount Of This Mineral

There are bottled waters with a higher brand value than Fiji. According to Biz Vibe, Fiji ranks only seventh in this regard, behind such corporate-owned brands as PepsiCo's Aquafina and Coca-Cola's Dasani — both of which boast sales of over a billion dollars per year. But when it comes to rankings of the best bottled water brands, Fiji invariably ranks significantly higher. The reasons for this go beyond just clean taste or savvy marketing. Fiji water, thanks to being sourced from an artesian aquifer — you guessed it, in Fiji — also provides health benefits not commonly associated with other popular bottled water brands.

Per the U.S. Geological Survey, the term artesian aquifer, in a general sense, is a water source deep underground that's under pressure from surrounding rock. Fiji's artesian aquifer, however, is a particularly dramatic example. Located in a tropical Pacific island rainforest amidst ancient dormant volcanoes, Fiji's artesian aquifer is filled with rainwater, which is then filtered through layers of volcanic rock, infusing the water with a complex profile of minerals and electrolytes (via Fiji). This volcanic rock is the key to Fiji water's distinctive soft, smooth taste, and the reason it offers health benefits beyond mere hydration.

Fiji water contains hundreds of organic and inorganic chemical compounds, including minerals such as silica, calcium, and magnesium (per Fiji). Silica, in particular, is found in notably concentrated levels (86 milligrams per liter). This suggests that in addition to quenching your thirst, drinking Fiji water might actually benefit your body. As Female notes, silica (or silicon) is known for its ability to nourish skin, nails, and hair — giving the former more glow, and adding luster to the latter. In fact, according to one study, silica actually makes skin more elastic. In addition, the mineral doesn't just give hair more brightness and shine — it can also reduce rates of hair loss.

Of course, Fiji water isn't the only bottled brand to contain silica. In fact, the Water Purification Guide lists 12 of them. There's only one other brand, however, that comes close to offering the same levels of silica. That's ROI Roitschocrene from Slovenia, which matches Fiji with the same 86 milligrams per liter. 

While Fiji's magnesium content can't compete with that of ROI Roitschocrene — which has so much it can actually make people sick — it provides a solid supplement to one's daily intake at 14 milligrams per liter. Magnesium, like silica and calcium, is associated with strong bones (via The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging), so drinking Fiji water is healthy in that regard, too.