Links between purchase location and stable isotope ratios of bottled water, soda, and beer in the United States

CHESSON, LESLEY A; VALENZUELA, LUCIANO O; O'GRADY, SHANNON P; CERLING, THURE E; EHLERINGER, JAMES R

JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY

AMER CHEMICAL SOC

Año: 2010 vol. 58 p. 7311 - 7316

0021-8561

This study investigated the impact of purchase location on the stable isotope ratios of beverages by measuring the δ2H and δ18O values of bottled water, soda, beer, and tap water collected across the contiguous United States. Measured beverage δ2H and δ18O values generally fit the Global Meteoric Water Line (GMWL), suggesting region-of-origin information is recorded in beverage water. Tap water δ2H and δ18O values were strongly correlated with the stable isotope ratios of bottled water and soda purchased in the same location. Beer water δ2H and δ18O values were also correlated with tap water, although not as strongly. Variability in δ2H and δ18O values among beverages purchased at a single location ranged from 2 to 41% and from 0.3 to 5.2%, respectively, but was generally moderate in most locations. It was concluded that the isotopic composition of local tap water is a reasonable proxy for consumers fluid intake in most U.S. cities.