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Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the concentration of fluoride in natural mineral waters marketed in Spain in order to prevent tooth decay without the risk of causing dental fluorosis Design: Descriptive and cross-sectional study during 2012. Location: Natural mineral waters marketed in Spain. Participants: Three bottles with different bottling dates of 109 natural mineral waters (97 Spanish and 12 imported brands). Main measures: Determination of fluoride by ion chromatography Results: Median fluoride concentrations of the natural mineral waters bottled in Spain was 0.22 (range 0.00-4.16; interquartile range:0.37). Most samples (61 brands, 62%) contained less than 0.3 mg/L. There are 19 Spanish brands with more than 0.6 mg/L. The median level in imported brands was 0.35 (range 0.10-1.21; interquartile range: 0.23). Only 28 of the 109 brands examined (25.6%) specified the fluoride content on the label. Good correlation was observed between the concentrations indicated and those determined. Conclusions: Fluoride concentrations in natural mineral waters showed high variation. Given the growing consumption of natural mineral waters in Spain, this type of information is important to make proper use of fluoride in the primary prevention of dental caries. (C) 2014 Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Introduction: An appropriate magnesium intake has proved to have beneficial effects on bone health, reduce insulin resistance and prevent atherosclerosis. Objective: To determine the concentration of magnesium in drinking water and bottled mineral water in Spain and assess its daily contribution to dietary recommendations. Methods: We used ion chromatography to analyse the magnesium concentrations of public drinking waters in a representative sample of 108 Spanish municipalities (supplying 21,290,707 potential individuals) and 109 natural mineral waters sold in Spain (97 Spanish and 12 imported). Results: The water generally contained between 15 and 45 mg/L of magnesium, but in seven municipalities it contained over 45 mg/L. The average magnesium concentration of 97 brands of Spanish natural mineral water was 16.27 mg/L (range: 0.11-141.2 mg/L). Of these, 33 contained between 15 and 45 mg/L of magnesium and four contained over 45 mg/L. Of the 12 imported brands, 4 contained over 45 mg/L. Assuming water consumption is as recommended by the European Food Safety Agency, water containing 15 to 45 mg/L of magnesium provides between 9 and 76.5% of the recommended intake of magnesium for children aged one to thirteen, up to 25.7% in adolescents, between 7.5 and 25.7% for adults, and up to 27% for lactating women. Water with 60 mg/L of magnesium provides between 30 and 102% of the recommended dietary allowance, depending on the age of the individual. Discussion: The consumption of public drinking water and natural mineral water in a third of Spanish cities can be regarded as an important supplementary source of magnesium.