The Best Water To Buy at Trader Joe’s for Maximum Hydration (Plus Which To Skip), According to a Water Sommelier

Hydration can be a challenge in the summer heat, even when you’re the *most* dedicated water drinker. And the list of ways to reach optimal hydration is growing longer by the day—from electrolyte powders, hydration drinks, and endless calls to “drink more water” from virtually every health pro, it can get overwhelming fast.

According to water sommelier, Martin Riese, not all water is created equal. The missing key ingredient he says you should look for in the water you buy for optimal hydration? Electrolytes. And they occur naturally in certain types of water, especially mineral water. The good news is Trader Joe’s happens to carry a few water sommelier-approved picks that offer optimal hydration, as he posted about on TikTok.

Ahead, we’re breaking down Riese’s picks for the best water at Trader Joe’s and chatting with registered dietitian Francesca Alfano, RD for extra hydration guidance.

The best water at Trader Joe’s and the ones to skip, according to a water sommelier

Trader Joe’s Sparkling Plain Mineral Water

Riese points out that the sparkling plain mineral water from TJ’s is from three different sources, so we don’t really know the total dissolved solid count, or TDS. “TDS stands for ‘total dissolved solids’ and measures the minerals, salts, and organic compounds that naturally dissolve in water,” says Alfano. “The TDS can tell you how mineralized your water is.”

And those minerals are the electrolytes Riese is referring to that enhance hydration. Not all water has to include TDS labeling, which is why some of the waters sold at TJ’s aren’t labeled. “The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) includes TDS as a secondary standard, meaning that it is a voluntary guideline in the United States,” adds Alfano.

Riese says since the water is sourced from three different places, the manufacturer likely opted not to include the TDS value. But he also points out that in order to call water “mineral water,” there is a minimum TDS that the water has to contain in order to garner that label, which is 250 TDS. However, higher TDS is not always better, according to the Safe Drinking Water Foundation, because high levels mean hard water, which can contain high concentrations of harmful substances in some situations.

San Pellegrino Sparkling Natural Mineral Water

San Pellegrino’s Sparkling Natural Mineral water is still water from Italy; the carbonation is added, says Riese in the video. The TDS is 1,100 which he says is a medium TDS water. As Riese says, “I think it’s a totally fine product.”

Gerolsteiner Sparkling Natural Mineral Water

Gerolsteiner is a German water brand, and one of the more popular sparkling waters in Germany, according to Riese. The TDS is a little over 2,500 which he says is a “very intense water” in the video. Because of the high mineral content, he finds it tastes a little salty. But he still likes it and says it’s a great product even though it does not have a “perfectly balanced taste” because of the high mineral content.

Trader Joe’s Natural Mountain Spring Water

“This has a TDS of around 110, I think it’s a very nice water,” he says. Especially for the price ($0.79 per bottle) he says it’s a great deal for the TDS and quality of the water.

Pure New Zealand Artesian Water

Riese is a big fan of the New Zealand water section, and the Pure New Zealand Artesian Water is one example. With a TDS of 150, he says it’s a “Very, very nice mineral water from New Zealand.” This, he adds, is his number one select.

Riese is a big fan of the New Zealand water section, and the Pure New Zealand Artesian Water is one example. With a TDS of 150, he says it’s a “Very, very nice water from New Zealand.”

Alkaline Water

Riese is not a fan of alkaline water since he says it “is a marketing gimmick.” According to Riese, there are barely any electrolytes in the water and the alkalinity will “get destroyed by your stomach fluid.” He would opt for the much cheaper spring water (because it contains minerals) over the alkaline water which he says is basically purified tap water.

“Alkaline is a term that can be used to describe the pH of a substance. Alkaline substances have a pH greater than seven. Pure water has a pH level close to seven and the alkaline waters sold usually have a pH of eight to 10,” explains Alfano. “Our bodies do a fantastic job of maintaining blood pH and drinking alkaline water won’t change that. There is not any real scientific evidence to support drinking alkaline waters.”

Final takeaways

Drinking more water in general is always a good idea. If you’re not currently drinking electrolytes, it doesn’t mean you have to switch to drinking only mineral water, because you’re likely getting plenty from food. But if you want to up your electrolytes in a low-lift way, you can take the water sommelier’s advice at try drinking more mineral water—after all, it’s available at your local Trader Joe’s.