The Benefits of Mineral Water
Mineral hot springs seem to be a must-see on many travelers’ bucket lists. From nature lovers to fitness enthusiasts and everyone in between, people from all walks of life flock to natural hot springs around the globe for both their beauty and feel-good benefits. But what exactly are the advantages of these soaks—and, just as importantly, is mineral water good for you?
It turns out that submerging in mineral hot springs is far more than a travel blogger trend. In fact, soaks have been hailed for their therapeutic properties for centuries, and now, there’s even science to back the claims up. Here, we’re sharing some of the most noteworthy mineral pool benefits, from physical effects to aesthetic advantages.
5 Compelling Mineral Water Benefits
1. Promote Skin Health
Your skin plays an important role in keeping you healthy, acting as a barrier against potential irritants and infections. Caring for it should be a pillar of your overall wellness routine, and while there are lots of ways to boost skin health, one effective option is to deliver beneficial nutrients directly to the source.
With a soak in a mineral hot spring, you can treat your skin to a hefty and direct dose of nourishing agents like sulfur and silica. From an aesthetic standpoint, sulfur aids in collagen production to support your skin’s elasticity—the key to a youthful appearance. Together, silica and sulfur may also help to address common skin ailments, providing relief for symptoms of psoriasis, eczema, and acne. Experts think this could be due to the minerals’ ability to help the skin maintain its protective outer layer1.
Skin-boosting benefits don’t end there, however. Depending on the type of water you’re soaking in, the mineral content can have specific advantages. While magnesium has clarifying properties, for example, sodium can eliminate toxins and reduce swelling and inflammation. Potassium is likewise detoxifying, while also adding the benefit of supporting cell turnover to keep your skin looking radiant2.
2. Boost Blood Flow
A healthy circulatory system relies on your body’s ability to move blood to and from your heart, the mechanism that ensures all your tissues are receiving the nutrients they need to function well. While routine exercise and nutrition are paramount for strong circulation, there are other ways you can support cardiovascular health—including hot mineral soaks.
As their name suggests, mineral hot springs are filled with warm water. Not only does the soothing warmth feel wonderful, but the heat may also provide meaningful physical benefits, too. Research shows routine hot water soaks could deliver cardiovascular perks similar to those achieved through physical activity, including better blood vessel dilation and reduced stiffness of your artery walls. Since hard, narrow blood vessels are more likely to encounter blockages, this is an especially critical aspect of your heart and overall health. The effects are likely due to the heat’s ability to stimulate circulation and support your lymphatic system, which is responsible for waste elimination3.
It’s not just the temperature of the water that can promote healthy circulation, however. As an added benefit, the minerals increase the hydrostatic pressure of the water, putting gentle pressure on your body to further improve blood flow4.
3. Relieve Pain
Whether you’re feeling sore after miles of hiking or you have pain from a chronic condition like arthritis, mineral hot springs may be just the thing you need to find relief. Warm water can stop pain receptors in your body from signaling, which can temporarily alleviate discomfort. But unlike heating pads which target one isolated zone, a soak in a hot mineral springs offers soothing relief for your entire body5.
Further, certain minerals may play a role in minimizing or eliminating pain. Potassium and lithium, for example, aid in nervous system regulation, acting as natural pain-blocking ingredients. It should therefore be no surprise that hot springs are sometimes regarded as “natural painkillers,” aiding in pain relief for conditions like fibromyalgia and arthritis, while also alleviating inflammation from day-to-day factors like exercise1.
4. Support Metabolism
One of the more surprising mineral pool benefits that shouldn’t be overlooked is their potential to boost the rate at which you burn calories, also known as your metabolic rate. In one study, research pointed to an increase of up to 61 calories burned during a soak each hour, compared to participants who didn’t soak. And for those who enjoy soaks on a regular basis, the metabolic benefits could be even more promising: after just two weeks of routine sessions, participants in a different study experienced an improvement in inflammatory markers, which could aid in weight loss efforts3.
There’s no substitute for nutrient-rich meals and regular movement when it comes to achieving weight loss. But if you’re seeking a healthy approach to losing or managing your weight, regular hot mineral soaks could be a useful tool to incorporate into your routine.
5. Enhance Relaxation
Getting quality rest helps you feel recharged, which is particularly useful when you’re on vacation and mineral hot springs are just one stop along your trip. As the warmth of the water relaxes your body during a soak, the minerals provide their own stress-busting benefits. Magnesium, for one, can help to reduce anxiety and soothe your muscles6.
The benefits may even translate to better sleep: By regulating your breathing, a soak could help you unlock restful slumber later in the evening1. And because most natural springs place you in the midst of nature’s finest views, taking in your open-air surroundings could help to quiet your mind, too.
Whether you’re hitting the trails or the fairway, mineral water benefits can help you feel restored and ready for wherever a journey takes you next6.
If you’re journeying to Zion National Park or the surrounding area, make Zion Canyon Hot Springs part of your travel itinerary. For hikers, golfers, and outdoor enthusiasts, our mineral hot springs and WorldSprings-inspired waters offer a unique opportunity to relax and restore with soaks in mineral-rich, soothing pools.
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Sources
- Gordon, E. (17 October 2021). Why Hot Spring Minerals Are Good for Your Skin And Health. CircleDNA. Retrieved June 23, 2025, from https://magazine.circledna.com/why-hot-spring-minerals-are-good-for-your-skin-and-health/
- The Aesthetic and Therapeutic Benefits of Hot Springs. Venus Treatments. Retrieved June 23, 2025, from https://www.venustreatments.com/en-us/blog/the-aesthetic-and-therapeutic-benefits-of-hot-springs/
- Migala, J. (24 June 2022). 5 Possible Health Benefits of Hot Potting. Everyday Health. Retrieved June 23, 2025, from https://www.everydayhealth.com/wellness/possible-health-benefits-of-hot-potting/
- (10 February 2020). Do Hot Springs Really Have Healing Powers? Intermountain Health. Retrieved June 23, 2025, from https://intermountainhealthcare.org/blogs/do-hot-springs-really-have-healing-powers
- (23 July 2021). Health Benefits of Mineral Baths. Rochester Regional Health. Retrieved June 23, 2025, from https://www.rochesterregional.org/hub/health-benefits-of-mineral-baths
- Simmons, M. The Revitalizing Benefits of Hot Springs: Explore Our Top 7 Hot Springs from Around the World. Explore Well. Retrieved June 23, 2025, from https://www.explorewell.com/journal/the-revitalizing-benefits-of-hot-springs-explore-our-top-7-hot-springs-from-around-the-worldn