The average human can survive just three days without water. That shows you how important it is to our continued health. In fact, our bodies are approximately 65% water.
In the western world drinking water usually comes from either the tap or a bottle. But, there are no guarantees that these water sources are as good as you think they are.
Tap Water
Tap water comes from the treatment plant. At the plant, it is passed through a filter that removes debris. Along with several other processes the water is also treated with chlorine and fluoride.
Chlorine is known to kill most bacteria while fluoride is believed to boost teeth and bone strength. However, there are those that believe fluoride can actually increase your risk of cancer. Alongside this, chlorine is known to be harmful to humans in the right dose. It is, after all, a key component of mustard gas, the killer nerve agent.
Chlorine is also particularly considering for anyone with respiratory issues as it affects the ability of the respiratory system to perform properly.
Add into the equation the fact that the water is pumped through miles of pipes that could add debris and bacteria and you have to question just how good a source of water this is.
Bottled Water
If you think bottled water is any better then you need to consider that it is tested annually, leaving plenty of opportunity for it not to be as high a quality as you expect. In some cases, bottled drinking water is simply tap water, sealed into a bottle.
You also need to note that plastic bottles can release chemicals into the water. These chemicals have been linked with an increased risk of cancer.
In short, bottled water is not a safe source of water and it is a more expensive option than most others.
You should be aware that bottled mineral waters are different. To be classed as mineral water it must come from a spring that contains important minerals for your body. This water is filtered to remove toxins and carbon dioxide. It’s a good source of drinking water but definitely not the cheapest option.
Filtration Systems
You may already have a filtration system. Any homes use carbon filtration. However, while carbon filters are effective at removing chlorine and other organic compounds, they cannot remove heavy metals or bacteria. The best filter to remove bacteria and ensure your tap water is a good water source is a reverse stage osmosis water filter.
This directs the water through a semi-permeable membrane under pressure. This allows the water through but stops bacteria and other harmful elements from getting through. It is known to stop bacteria, arsenic, lead, fluoride, radium, copper, chloride, and even pharmacy drugs. That includes the estrogen found in birth control pills!
This type of filter can be fitted to virtually any water supply, making it a great option to take with you as you travel the world. It is one of the best ways to ensure you have safe drinking water anywhere in the world.
The fact that you can attach this filter to any water supply makes it a convenient approach to safe drinking water.
Spring Water
This is another type of bottled water. To be called spring water it must come from a natural spring. These are generally pure water because of the natural purification process of the water cycle.
In short, all water evaporates to form clouds. The clouds then become heavy and rain, the rainwater makes its way through soil and rocks to reach reservoirs where it is treated to remove the contaminants, before being sent to your home and the cycle repeated.
However, the evaporation process removes all impurities from the water. They are only picked up again when the water passes through soil and rock. If the water rises directly back out of the ground as a spring then it will be contaminant free. However, it should still be filtered to ensure that there are no bacteria or viruses in it.
Distilled Water
This is potentially the best source of water as it is cheap and free of anything. There are no nutrients or minerals in distilled water. In effect, it is the same as the water that evaporates during the water cycle. All impurities are removed. However, this does mean there are no beneficial minerals in the water.
Hydrogen Water
This is an expensive option but will provide very pure water. Hydrogen molecules contained in the water prevent the arrival of oxygen. Without oxygen bacteria and other harmful items cannot flourish.
In fact, hydrogen molecules are known to have antioxidants that destroy harmful radicals in your body. They also have anti-inflammatory effects.
As mentioned, this is an expensive option, but it does give you very pure water.
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