Just a few months ago, we told you that Dr. Pilar Vaquero had presented the results of a study entitled "The consumption of carbonated natural mineral water reduces blood cholesterol levels by 10%" in the Assembly Hall of the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Barcelona. Today, the Vichy Catalan Group is delighted to inform you that the same study has also been presented at a British Nutrition Society Meeting, at the prestigious University of Surrey in the United Kingdom, thus consolidating Vichy Catalan as the brand that has appeared in the greatest number of scientific publications and received most acknowledgements from the international scientific community.

Over the coming months, the article will be published in The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, one of the world's leading and most respected publications that gathers original articles on the subject of nutrition and diet, as well as appearing in the magazine, Proceedings of the Nutrition Society.

The data from this latest research project centred on a significant sample of young men and women (aged between 18 and 35), with no health problems but with a tendency towards high cholesterol levels due to irregular eating habits. Alter two months drinking a litre of Vichy Catalan carbonated mineral water each day, the results clearly showed that "their total cholesterol rates reduced by around 6.3% and the LDL cholesterol, or bad cholesterol, rate reduced by almost 10%". What's more, according to Dr, Vaquero, drinking Vichy Catalán on a continuous basis "does not have any side effects regarding arterial pressure or bone remodelling, as the sodium bicarbonate in this water bears no relationship to cooking salt, which does increase arterial pressure".

The results of this research project complement other studies carried out by the same researcher and her team at the CSIC (Spanish Scientific Research Council) a few years ago. These studies centred on one specific risk group, postmenopausal women, and showed the close relationship between the consumption of Vichy Catalan and health.

According to these initial studies, drinking Vichy Catalan carbonated mineral water on a continuous basis reduces the levels of "bad" cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) in the blood by up to 10% and, therefore, reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular risk is higher in this risk group, as the disappearance of the ovarian function reduces the level of "good" cholesterol (HDL cholesterol) and increases the level of "bad" cholesterol.

Vichy Catalan is one of the most prestigious brands in the European mineral water market. It spontaneously springs up at 60ºC with its own carbonated gas from the Vichy Catalan spring at Caldes de Malavella (Girona). Its special mineral and medicinal properties and its unmistakable taste have made it a favourite among restaurateurs and consumers in Catalonia and Spain.

For more information about the study: (http://hdl.handle.net/10261/15294)

Here's to your health!

Barcelona, 24 July 2009