Ask the expert

Water plays an important role in everyone’s life, as it influences the correct functioning of our body, which is more than half water. Nevertheless, not all waters are equal. Fonte Essenziale is a natural mineral water that, thanks to its unique high mineral content, helps your body to maintain day-to-day well-being for your liver and intestine, when drunk two glasses at a time.

Fonte Essenziale is a spring water that originates from an underground aquifer naturally protected from any surface pollution. It is collected directly from the spring where it rises to the surface and is then bottled at source. This kind of water is microbiologically pure and free from contamination. It is naturally rich in minerals and no other ingredients or chemicals are added for any reason.

Fonte Essenziale is the natural mineral water Antica Fonte, originating from the Italian hot spring of Boario, a small thermal town in the Vallecamonica valley, in northern Italy.
Fonte Essenziale filters naturally and slowly through the underground rocks of Alps, taking around 10 years, before emerging at the Boario spring and being bottled. Thanks to its source, it is categorised as a mineral water of thermal origin, while its unique composition, rich in minerals such as sulphates and magnesium, makes Fonte Essenziale a “sulphate-calcium-magnesium” mineral water.

Natural mineral waters such as Fonte Essenziale come from groundwaters, filtering naturally through rocks underground to achieve its unique purity and travelling for many years towards the source region. Since mineral waters travel underground, they are sheltered from surface pollution. According to current legislation, a water such as Fonte Essenziale can be defined “natural mineral water” based on independent evaluation from a hydrogeological, technical and scientific point of view that the water is microbiologically pure, and free from any contamination even after bottling. Furthermore, some mineral waters can have nutritional benefits when they naturally contain minerals in a significant quantity. Minerals are fundamental for the correct functioning of the body.
In comparison, tap water often comes from surface waters such as lakes or dams; it needs to be processed to become drinkable, as it can be contaminated at origin, as well as through its journey to the tap.

The dry residue value for a mineral water indicates the quantity of dissolved minerals contained in one litre of water.
However, a high value is not necessarily a sign of the quality of a mineral water compared to another: it is necessary to look at which minerals are contained in the dry residue and whether our body needs them. In fact, within a healthy body, any unnecessary or excess minerals would simply be eliminated.
Fonte Essenziale’s dry residue value, as well as its mineral composition, is shown on the bottle label. Fonte Essenziale is rich in minerals such as sulphates and magnesium, which are absorbed and used by the body, meaning that this water can help support the wellbeing of your liver and intestine.

Fonte Essenziale is rich in minerals such as sulphates and magnesium, meaning that this water can help support the wellbeing of your liver and intestine. The results of in-depth scientific and clinical studies have been approved by the Italian Ministry of Health, which certifies that Fonte Essenziale “may have laxative effects and a favourable action on hepatobiliary functions”.
In reviewing the scientific studies the Italian Health Ministry have also certified the “How to use” information for Fonte Essenziale shown on the packaging: “For a good efficacy of the product it is recommended to drink two glasses (about 400 ml) every day, at room temperature, preferably in the morning before breakfast”.

Magnesium is an essential mineral that you need daily. It can be found in the body’s skeleton and within the muscles. It is important for the nervous and cardiovascular systems and it contributes in the muscles contraction process. Together with calcium, it is essential in the skeleton development. An inadequate intake can result in diseases such as arteriosclerosis, cramps, contractions, anxiety and morning tiredness, besides hypersensitivity to stress.
The correct daily magnesium intake depends not only on the individual’s muscle and bone mass, but also on their individual lifestyle: for example, athletes, pregnant and breast-feeding women require a higher daily magnesium intake. However, the average daily requirement in the UK is 270mg/day for women and 300mg/day for men.

Sulphates are compounds that are important for the body. In fact, sulphates are among the 10 most common elements in your body, and help the liver and intestine work regularly. Sulphates have antispasmodic, laxative and anti-inflammatory effects. Their properties are known and proven: in medicine, sulphates are naturally used to treat diseases affecting the biliary tract, as they stimulate the secretion of the hormone cholecystokinin, which promotes the production of bile, helping the digestive process to operate smoothly.

Bicarbonates are minerals coming in the water from filtering through limestones. Bicarbonate is naturally dissolved in calcium bicarbonate waters; they have an antacid action, and help to maintain the acid balance in the stomach and intestine, promoting digestion, together with carbon dioxide and calcium. Because they are alkaline, they also facilitate the elimination of lactic acid, accumulated in muscles after intense physical activity.

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body. It protects bones, is involved in nervous and muscular system function, and also regulates muscle contraction. Calcium is present in some mineral waters in a highly bioavailable form: in fact, the body absorbs more calcium when ingested in small quantities, especially when it is with bicarbonates. For instance, drinking mineral waters rich in calcium everyday can help to provide the daily intake that your body needs. Mineral water is also an ideal source of calcium in addition to or even as an alternative to milk: Fonte Essenziale is the perfect ally for lactose intolerant people and those who want to control their calories intake, since mineral water has no calories.
Finally, as it happens for other minerals, an excessive calcium intake does not bring any consequence in healthy individuals, because the kidneys regulate its excretion, keeping the body in balance.

Everyone can drink Fonte Essenziale. In fact, Fonte Essenziale is a 100% natural mineral water of thermal origin with distinct health properties. It is low in sodium and nitrates, but rich in sulphates and magnesium, and is particularly suitable as an aid to all those who suffer from general digestive disorders, constipation, bloating, irritable bowel, presence of diverticula or gallbladder disorders. Furthermore, Fonte Essenziale promotes regular intestinal activity even in healthy individuals when consumed daily.
Nevertheless, in case of any doubt concerning your specific health conditions, it is advisable to consult your physician.

Fonte Essenziale naturally contributes to:

• Hepatobiliary function – this means that Fonte Essenziale helps the liver’s proper function, stimulating bile production, which helps the intestine to work more effectively;
• Stimulating digestion and the intestine’s correct functioning, keeping the secretion of bile and other digestive acids normal, and lightening the liver’s workload.

The overall action of Fonte Essenziale on the liver and intestine consequently helps to:

• improve the digestion and nutrient absorption process in healthy individuals, thanks to the stimulation and regulation of the liver and intestine’s digestive juices;
• regulate intestinal motility and peristalsis, that is the movements made by the muscle walls in the digestive tract that push food and waste through the body;
• improve nutrients’ digestion, especially fats and protein;
• stimulate, through the action of sulphates, the secretion of an intestinal hormone called cholecystokinin, necessary to regulate the joint activities of the liver and the intestine in the digestive process;
• stimulate, through the action of sulphates, the gallbladder contraction and its emptying, that subsequently improves the liver functions;
• stimulate bile duodenal bicarbonates’ production and modulating gastric acidity through the gastrin hormone, thanks to calcium and magnesium.

Yes. Due to its low sodium content, Fonte Essenziale is a mineral water recommended in low-sodium diets. Sodium is in fact a mineral essential for the correct functioning of our body, but only in limited quantities. A healthy and balanced diet, combined with correct hydration and a healthy lifestyle that includes drinking water and physical activity, may significantly enhance your wellbeing.

In the first six months of life, it is preferable to give babies mineral waters with a limited content of mineral elements. Once the child is weaned, other waters can be introduced, although infant formula should continue to be prepared using a low mineral content water. Mineral rich waters will then accompany the child’s development stages in which minerals are preciously necessary: in fact, calcium and other beneficial minerals such as sulphates and magnesium can be all naturally consumed by drinking Fonte Essenziale.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the average water intake should increase. Having a sufficient amount of water during pregnancy will avoid a wide range of discomforts. Drinking Fonte Essenziale during pregnancy can be recommended to:

• Help regularize the digestive processes “disturbed” by the changing hormones of pregnancy ;
• Help with the calcium intake, used by the developing baby to build strong bones and teeth;
• Contribute to the mother’s proper hydration: there is a small increase in body temperature in pregnancy leading to increase in perspiration & higher fluid requirements, plus provision for the growing baby. In addition, mum will need to recover the body water balance before and after childbirth and adequate fluids helps to facilitate production of breast milk.
• Provide the mother with highly bioavailable calcium, essential in the early pregnancy stages.

Nevertheless, in case of doubts concerning specific pregnancy conditions, it is advisable to consult your physician.

Scientific studies have shown Fonte Essenziale to reach full effectiveness over the liver and intestine’s regular functions after at least 15 consecutive days of consumption.
To help the water be most effective, it is recommended to drink at least two glasses (around 400 mL) at room temperature, first thing in the morning (upon awakening), on an empty stomach. For some individuals the first improvements will be noticeable after as little as 3-4 days of consumption. It is advisable, however, to regularly drink two glasses of Fonte Essenziale every day: the beneficial action of its minerals will restore the natural digestive processes and regularize the liver and intestine’s normal functions, to make your daily habit run smoothly.
Fonte Essenziale’s efficacy is strongly related to the frequency and method of consumption; nevertheless, it is also clearly subjective to individual responses, and related to specific states of health.

Fonte Essenziale’s efficacy may be weakened if it is not consumed daily: scientific studies support the recommendation to drink Fonte Essenziale regularly, every day before breakfast.
In fact, the clinical studies carried out show that the liver and intestine’s regular functions improve with a daily 400mL intake of Fonte Essenziale (around two glasses). Subsequently, Fonte Essenziale’s positive effect on the well-being for your liver and intestine may be weakened or unnoticeable if these instructions are not followed. If you adopt the simple and healthy habit of drinking Fonte Essenziale every day, the liver and intestine will thank you.

Fonte Essenziale’s efficacy will be weakened: scientific studies show that 400 mL (around two glasses of water) is the correct minimum daily intake to maximize effectiveness. Drinking Fonte Essenziale is your daily habit for the well-being for the liver and intestine.

Drinking more than 400 mL of Fonte Essenziale does not result in any issue for your health; it will only enhance the water’s diuretic properties. In fact, we recommend you to start with two glasses upon awakening, and then drink one Litre throughout the day for best effect.

You can have breakfast according to your habits after drinking two glasses of Fonte Essenziale. The natural action of the minerals contained in Fonte Essenziale is more effective in the morning on an empty stomach, when the liver and intestine are rested and ready to work regularly.

Sure, Fonte Essenziale can be flavoured according to your taste, as long as it is used at room temperature. In fact, Fonte Essenziale should not be heated to preserve the natural characteristics of the water and to fully notice its beneficial properties.

Fonte Essenziale is bottled in plastic containers made of PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) which has been scientifically proven safe for use with food and beverages.
PET is one of the most widespread polymers for food packaging, in particular for liquids, thanks to the multiplicity of its applications, its inertia and resistance, and its ability to preserve the product in an optimal way. From the point of view of consumer safety, PET is one of the most stable plastics from both a chemical and mechanical point of view; it does not contain additives and plasticizer substances, and it is very resistant even in severe storage conditions.
The scientific studies carried out to date have shown no dangerous leaks, even in harsh storage conditions in the sun or at high temperatures (40-50 °C).
Nevertheless, we recommend storing mineral water away from sunlight, in a cool, dry, clean and odourless place, away from any contamination.

Since we love the environment, we are committed to reduce our impact on it: firstly, we blow all our plastic bottles within our plant in Italy, reducing additional road miles.
Furthermore, the environmental impact of PET bottles such as Fonte Essenziale’s can also be reduced after use. In fact, if PET bottles are wisely recycled, they can become new PET used in various applications, including the making of new bottles (R-pet). We strongly believe that the correct recycling of plastic bottles is something we can do to help protect the environment. For this reason, our company has built a new plant, whose objective is to give new life to PET coming from recycling allowing us to produce our bottles with 50% percent of R-PET, that is recycled PET, and save over 20 thousand tons of PET waste per year.