The next category of product offered by Raifsky Spring is medicinal table water. It also has a high salt content (from 1 thousand mg to 10 thousand mg per liter). This water is not suitable for cooking; it should be drunk in limited doses, which are calculated depending on the general state of health of the person. This is the most common type of water, which proved itself back in the Soviet Union, because most of the most famous brands of that time produced just such products. It owes its success to its therapeutic effect, which, if used correctly, can relieve many diseases. The label contains recommendations for using this drink, but you should not rely solely on them. It is better to consult a doctor for the correct prescription and dosage. He will select the optimal treatment individually for you. If this is not taken into account, excessive consumption of such water can upset the balance of salts in the body, which will lead to an exacerbation of existing diseases.

Experts were invited yesterday by the Consumer Union of the Republic of Tatarstan to drink bottled non-carbonated water. According to the results of the tasting, which brand of water received the palm, and whose water will be purchased again in the presence of witnesses, sealed and sent to the laboratory for thorough analysis, the Vechernaya Kazan correspondent found out.

There is an opinion that it would be more logical to call our planet Water, rather than Earth, because most of it is occupied by water spaces: oceans, seas, rivers, lakes. And the inhabitants of the Earth themselves are approximately 80 percent water, and for the normal functioning of the body, a person needs to drink from one and a half to three liters of pure H2O per day. Our well-being, health and longevity depend on the quality of drinking water.

Since summer will begin in Kazan in a few days (at least according to the calendar), the consumption of bottled water will increase significantly, and even those who usually do not drink their allotted one and a half liters a day will be forced to do so in order not to die of thirst . In anticipation of the mass sweeping of bottles of drinking water from store shelves, the Union of Consumers of the Republic of Tatarstan decided to conduct a consumer tasting to find out whether all the water that we are offered to buy is equally good.

Eight samples of popular brands of bottled still water from natural sources were purchased for analysis. These are “Volzhanka” (manufacturer of UZMV “Volzhanka” software, Ulyanovsk region, Undory village), “Holy Source” (manufacturer of Edelweiss L LLC, Lipetsk), “Raifa source” (Perspective LLC, Zelenodolsk district of the Republic of Tatarstan ), water bottled under the brand name “Bakhetle”, “Living Key” (LLC “Water-Industrial Company”, Laishevsky district of the Republic of Tatarstan, Prigorodnoe forestry), “Khotninskaya” (LLC “Khotnya”, Arsky district of the Republic of Tatarstan, village of Khotnya), “ RusAlka" (Magistral-TK LLC, Almetyevsk), Societe Minerale (Agropark-Tatarstan LLC, Leninogorsk) and water with the rich name "Faith in a natural holy spring" (manufacturer Platon LLC, Chelyabinsk region ., Nyazepetrovsk).

To be honest, looking at the numbered plastic cups with water samples poured into them, the VK correspondent did not understand how experts would determine the taste, smell and color of something that, in principle, should have no taste, smell, or color.

Out of curiosity, I myself tried and smelled all the water offered for tasting, but even on the third round it seemed exactly the same to me. The experts staged heated battles, sharing with each other their impressions of why this water seemed quite decent to them, but they didn’t like the other one at all. True, each time it was stipulated that this was a matter of taste.

The process of determining color was more or less clear: water poured into test tubes had to be examined against the background of a clean white sheet. All samples passed this test perfectly. As well as a transparency test: the water being tested was poured into a measuring cylinder, placed on paper with typewritten text and tried to read it. By the way, it’s a very exciting process.

As a result, it turned out that the first place was taken by two waters at once: the popular Ulyanovsk “Volzhanka” and the little-known Leninogorsk Societe Minerale. Second place went to Laishev’s “Living Key”, third place to Almetyevsk’s “RusAlka”.

Well, the first place from the end, which guarantees increased attention from the regulatory authorities, was unexpectedly received by Hotninskaya water, produced in the Arsky district. The experts themselves were surprised that they “blindly” gave this well-known brand of water such a low rating, and even thought that some kind of error had crept into the results. Alas, there was no error.

Vyacheslav Ryazanov, Director General of Perspektiva LLC (by the way, Raifsky Istochnik water produced by his company) took the lead in explaining why Volzhanka became the leader, although all the waters presented at the tasting were, in general, in an equal “weight category”. took only sixth place). According to Ryazanov, the management of Volzhanka invests huge amounts of money in production and can afford new technologies and the highest quality control.

At the same time, it is impossible to learn from the experience of our Ulyanovsk colleagues.
“I visited many factories, but they don’t let anyone into the Volzhanka,” Ryazanov complained. - They are not even allowed to take mobile phones to meetings with the CEO, so that information does not leak.

When asked what prevents other manufacturers from investing in development, Ryazanov replied that due to the great competition in the market and the gigantic mark-ups that retail chains make for bottled water, manufacturers get mere pennies for their liquid goods.

Photo by Alexander GERASIMOV

Water is the basis of all life on Earth. The first bacteria appeared and began their development in the ocean. For many centuries they roamed these spaces, evolving. When they managed to reach land and begin earthly life, water still remained the main condition for their prosperity. The first civilizations were also founded near sources of this liquid. A person drinks up to 3 liters per day, so high-quality water is a necessary condition for health and youth. The Raifa spring is one of the most environmentally friendly in Russia.

Field

The Volga-Kama State Nature Reserve is located in the south of Kazan. In the bowels of the earth beneath it, at a depth of 100 meters, lies the purest water. Thanks to this location, it is not subject to pollution from the external environment. After all, only research robots are carried out in this zone. The area is also famous for its lakes. The largest is Raifskoye. The nature of the reserve is pristine, the forests that grow here are among the most ancient in Europe. It is in such a wonderful place that the Raifa Source enterprise is located. It has been the leader in water sales in the Volga region for 18 years. Each technological process uses the latest developments in this field. In Tatarstan, this particular water was named the most popular by consumers. The quality of the water has been confirmed many times with various awards. This product is among the top 100 in all of Russia.

Quality control

Every day, water is taken from the source and chemical, radiological and microbiological analyzes are carried out. In addition, every week the well is checked for compliance with all regulatory indicators. Once a quarter, a water sample is tested at an independent testing center. In this way, the quality of the water is confirmed. The company also voluntarily undergoes certification of all products. Every year, a company from Switzerland called SGS is invited to conduct an audit. Raifa Spring water complies with all existing GOST standards in Russia, which control the quality of the extracted liquid.

Compound

Because it contains many microelements that have a beneficial effect on the entire human body. It includes:

Calcium, which is good for hair, nails and teeth;

Potassium and sodium, which are aimed at strengthening the cardiovascular system;

Magnesium, which ensures the normal functioning of the nervous system;

Fluoride is the main assistant of teeth in the fight against caries, it is very useful for children, as it participates in the structure of the skeleton, and the combination of it and calcium makes the body more resistant to radionuclides.

Each of these elements is found in the Raifa Spring drink. is the most optimal, since minerals are dissolved in it, so their absorption is more effective than from other products. It is significant that minerals are not artificially added to the water; everything comes from nature. Therefore, there is no need to be afraid of an overdose.

Medicinal mineral water

There are several categories of waters produced by the Raifa Spring enterprise. Kazan is famous for its healing mineral water. This species is distinguished by the highest content of salts (from 10 thousand to 15 thousand mg of dry sediment per liter). This drink should not be abused; it can only be used for medicinal purposes and only after consulting a doctor. After all, if you self-medicate and do not discuss it with a specialist, you can only harm your health. Therefore, before you drink this water, ask if you can do it.

Therapeutic table water

The next category of product offered by Raifsky Spring is medicinal table water. It also has a high salt content (from 1 thousand mg to 10 thousand mg per liter). This water is not suitable for cooking; it should be drunk in limited doses, which are calculated depending on the general state of health of the person. This is the most common type of water, which proved itself back in the Soviet Union, because most of the most famous brands of that time produced just such products. It owes its success to its therapeutic effect, which, if used correctly, can relieve many diseases. The label contains recommendations for using this drink, but you should not rely solely on them. It is better to consult a doctor for the correct prescription and dosage. He will select the optimal treatment individually for you. If this is not taken into account, excessive consumption of such water can upset the balance of salts in the body, which will lead to an exacerbation of existing diseases.

Drinking table water

Another category in which the Raifa Source enterprise specializes is natural table water. Its total mineralization does not exceed 1 thousand mg per liter. It is suitable for cooking and daily use. Its structure does not change during processing, the natural ionic composition remains the same. This water will perfectly quench your thirst, improve your appetite and help strengthen your body. Its main advantage is the possibility of unlimited use. If a person wants to be healthy, loves to play sports and spends his days actively, then this water is simply irreplaceable for him. It does not cure, but has a physiological effect, that is, it stimulates the work of the stomach and intestines.

Thus, the water that is produced in the reserve is the most suitable for improving human health. It has a natural structure and has not been altered by any processes.

LIQUID FROM THE TANK IN TERMS OF QUALITY OUTSTANDED THE PRODUCTS OF THREE FAMOUS DRINKING WATER MANUFACTURERS ON THE RESULTS OF TASTING

Yesterday, the State Alcohol Inspection of the Republic of Tatarstan hosted a consumer tasting of drinking bottled water sold in retail chains of Tatarstan. According to the total scores of all participants of the event, the first three places were taken by "Volzhanka", "Sister" and "Akvavita". But the journalist of "BUSINESS Online", who also acted as one of the "people's tasters", and the doctor of medical sciences Anatoly Ivanov have a different opinion on this matter.

MANUFACTURERS SHUTTERED AND BLESSED

Today, 30 producers of bottled drinking water are represented on the Tatarstan market - both local and from other regions of Russia. Each buyer prefers his own brand, his own volume. Actually, how the product of one manufacturer differs from another and in general from tap water, representatives of the authorities, “water” companies and the media - in general, amateurs - tried to figure out yesterday at a consumer tasting at the State Alcohol Inspectorate of the Republic of Tatarstan.

13 samples of ordinary clean drinking water purchased in ordinary stores in Tatarstan were presented to the public. Stamps were presented "Volzhanka", "Sister", "Aldermysh spring", "Raifa Spring", "Oleroli", "Aquavita", "Crystal Well", "Khotninskaya" And "Pantia". We were given a sample of the “Key of Health” water to try, bottled by the holding company “VAMIN-Tatarstan” through kiosks in city courtyards. Two samples of tap water passed through Barrier and Britta household filters. And even an extravagant cocktail called “a water sample passed through a general-purpose filter in an apartment building in the Aircraft Construction District of Kazan.”

However, the wary tasting participants were warned in advance that all water samples had passed laboratory tests using unique equipment in the laboratory of the State Alcohol Inspectorate of the Republic of Tatarstan and, in general, met all standards.

WATER IS DEMINERALIZED FOR THE PLEASE OF TEA

Let us note right away that the organizers of the drinking party made one, in our opinion, most serious mistake - when pouring water from decanters into glasses, they named its brand and manufacturer. As a result, tasting water became somehow uninteresting - except, perhaps, for tap water from some apartment in the Aircraft Construction District. The producers took turns shuddering and blushing when the bottling of their water was announced.

Life-giving moisture was assessed on a five-point scale. I like it – 5 points, I find it difficult to answer – 3, I don’t like it – 1. And this is the result. Volzhanka water took first place with a total of 125 points. In second place is “Sister” (115 points), in third place is “Akvavita” (111). Interestingly, the last 13th place was taken not by tap water, but by water passed through a Britta filter. "VAMIN" with its "Health Key" was only able to become the penultimate. Above it was water, also passed through a filter, but this time of the Barrier brand...

This is where the opinion of the BUSINESS Online journalist does not coincide with the assessment of the majority. And this is evidenced by the points he gave to the water from the filters - 3 for each sample. And "VAMIN" has a solid stake. Because the “Key of Health” water is acidic and not entirely transparent to light. Unlike the one passed through the Britta and Barrier filters. And the same goes for “Akvavita” - this water, which, let us remind you, took third place in the “national ranking” of amateur experts, tastes exactly like it came from the tap. So she doesn't care either.

By the way, the cocktail under the code name “Aircraft Source” took a very good place - an honorable eighth out of thirteen. And it overtook not only the “Key of Health” and the “Britta” and “Barrier” filters, but also such responsible manufacturers as the companies “Alisa” and “Klin” with their drinking waters “Crystal Well” and “Pantia”.

Meanwhile, a real expert on water - head of the course of municipal hygiene at Kazan Medical University, Doctor of Medical Sciences Anatoly Ivanov, was even more categorical in his assessment. “All the water presented today is almost completely demineralized. You do this on purpose - so that tea can be brewed better. But this is wrong! Because such water destroys the human body,” he emphasized.

In general, Ivanov was especially generous with advice today. “In natural water, the ratio of calcium to magnesium is five to one. And you write some unrealistic numbers on the labels. And don’t get carried away with dosing fluoride - this is very dangerous! You purify your water so well that you even feel some kind of metallic taste - so don’t get carried away with filters,” he urged manufacturers and did not give any of them 5.

Sergei Koshcheev,
photo by Ilya Lavrinenko

"Guide to Kazan" publishes a selection of springs and holy springs that attract local residents and guests of the republic with their healing properties and interesting history

Holy spring of the Raifa desert

One of the most famous and popular places in Tatarstan is the Raifa Monastery. On its territory there is a holy spring with healing water. Anyone can come to the monastery and collect water. The monastery is located 30 km from Kazan on the picturesque shore of a lake, around which centuries-old pine trees grow.

The composition of the water from this source is unique - hydrocarbonate magnesium-calcium water. Scientists conducted research on it and officially recognized it as healing. Today, a chapel with a blue dome has been built over the spring. This chapel was consecrated by Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Alexy II in 1997.

The Raifa Monastery is truly a unique place, as evidenced by numerous eyewitnesses. During church hymns there you can hear an unusual voice that sounds an octave higher and does not belong to anyone from the church choir.

Despite the fact that the monastery is located on the shore of a lake, frogs are silent in those places, although they live there in abundance. There is a legend that the monks asked the Almighty for mercy - to get rid of the loud croaking that interfered with the singing of church hymns. A miracle happened - the frogs fell silent and remain silent to this day.

For many years, Russian and foreign scientists did not believe in this miracle and considered it a myth, trying to refute it. Loud French toads were purposefully brought here and fell silent around the monastery. Scientists tried to study them in order to find out the reason for the silence. They were taken away and already a kilometer from the monastery the French toads began to croak loudly.

Holy Key of Panteleimon the Healer

Located in the Maly Bor forest, in the Nizhnyaya Kama National Park. It is nine kilometers from Yelabuga. The legend about the origin of this source goes deep into the past. It is believed that there used to be a monastery monastery next to the spring. Maly Bor is a picturesque area with amazing flora, untouched by people.

People have trodden a path through the forest to the Panteleimon spring, which is practically not overgrown. People go to the source all year round in the hope of healing. The water in it has a temperature of +4 degrees at any time of the year. Some people claim that bathing in this spring cured them of many diseases. Every year on August 9, on the day of St. Panteleimon the healer, a church ceremony is held at this Holy Spring. Orthodox Christians pray to Panteleimon the healer for the healing of the suffering.

Bilyar Holy Key

This spring with healing water is located near the village of Bilyarsk (Alekseevsky district of Tatarstan). This place is revered by both Christians and Muslims. The key is located in the forest near Mount Khuzhalar-tava. In ancient times there was a pagan sanctuary here.

There are many legends and tales about this key. An Orthodox legend tells of a Muslim woman to whom the Mother of God appeared in this place, after which the girl converted to Christianity. Muslim legend tells about Khoja Tyryshmal, whose 12 daughters turned into stars. The stories are different, but the place is the same - picturesque, quiet and holy.

Today the Bilyarsky Holy Key is a place revered by three religions: Christianity, Islam and Slavic paganism. The territory of the key is surrounded by a fence and welcomes everyone. Behind the source there is a staircase leading up the mountain. Just before the top of the mountain there is a settlement called “Devichiy Gorodok”. According to legend, there was once a fortress there, which was built by girls.

Key of Saint Paraskeva

It is located near the Chelny embankment in Korabelnaya Roshcha. This key was first mentioned in documents in the 17th century. According to one legend, a woman saw a prophetic dream in which an angel came to her and ordered her to go to this spring. She went into the forest and found a cross and an icon near a spring. The key was named after Saint Praskeva.

Pilgrims from all over Russia have been coming here for several hundred years. Some claim to have received healing. After the revolution, this place began to be gradually forgotten. But one day in 1970, one girl found a cross in that place. When he was pulled out of the ground, a spring appeared.

Holy springs of the Semiozersky monastery

They are located in the Vysokogorsk region of Tatarstan, near the village of Semiozerka. In these parts there are two springs with ice water. They are located near the monastery. A kilometer away is the Near Spring, which is surrounded by tall poplars and pine trees. The spring itself is at the bottom of a ravine, and a winding river flows nearby. There is a small chapel nearby. There is a special trench through which water from the spring flows into the chapel.

The water of the Near Spring is famous for its amazing taste. Pilgrims tell stories of many cases of healing. There are known similar cases that occurred both before the revolution, and in the Soviet era, and in our time.

If you walk up along the river, you can see the Far Holy Spring. It is also called in honor of Mother Anisia, an ascetic who lived in these parts and helped the suffering. At the Far Spring they have equipped a small font where you can take a dip. There are confirmed cases where people, having plunged into the water of this holy spring, got rid of cancer.

Source of insight

Many pilgrims are attracted by the ancient village of Arkatovo (Pestrechinsky district). There is a church of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God. Near it there is a key, popularly called the “eye” key. Since the icon is otherwise called Hodegetria (the Seer), a large number of healings from it and from the source are associated specifically with eye diseases.

Recently, many cases of healing of eye diseases have been recorded at this Holy spring. People regularly drink water and wash their eyes with it. After a certain time, vision begins to recover.

Well of Sahaba Gabdrakhman

In the city of Bolgar, on the banks of the Volga there is the Jerusalem ravine. At its mouth there is a well called “Gabdrakhman sahabe koesy” (“Well of Sahaba Gabdrakhman”). This well is revered by Muslims who visit it for healing from illnesses. It is believed that the water in it helps heal ailments and maintain excellent health.

The appearance of the well is associated with an ancient legend. It is said that the Prophet Muhammad sent three of his disciples to spread Islam, giving them a staff, a turban and an inkwell. They came to Bolgar and healed people.

The Bulgarian Khan's daughter was ill, and he invited healers to his place. They examined the patient and said that for healing she needed a birch broom. The birch should not be simple, but grown from a staff. One of the healers named Gabdrakhman stuck his staff into the ground, and water flowed in this place and a birch tree grew.

With the help of a broom made from this birch and water, Muhammad's disciples healed the khan's daughter. Then the doctors suggested that the khan and his family convert to Islam. Since then, this water has been considered sacred, and the well is often visited by believers.