Types of Water and Why
So many people strive to drink more water yet very few have ever stopped and asked, “Why is water so important?”
According to the USGS, the adult human body is made up of at least 60% water. The rule-of-thumb to drink eight, eight ounce glasses of water has changed a bit to better accommodate individualistic needs. So now most nutritionist, fitness professionals and healthcare providers alike recommend that a person drink at least half of his or her body weight in ounces of water per day. This means that a 150 lb person should drink at least 75 ounces of water daily. To some, this may sound like a lot (to others, maybe not) but rest assure that drinking enough water has insurmountable benefits including:
- Weight management
- Weight loss
- Decreased inflammation
- Body temperature regulation
- Detoxification of body
- Improved skin health
- Regulated GI function
- And so much more!
So basically the body uses water in all its muscles, tissues, organs and cells to help it function optimally. However, the body not only uses it, but it also loses it. As an individual sweats, breaths and digests, water is released from the body. This is why it is necessary to ensure proper water intake throughout the day!Despite the evidence in literature that supports the numerous benefits of consuming water regularly, there are so many options (just like everything else now-a-days). So how does one know which type of water to choose? Below is a little overview of the different types of water to improve hydration and overall health individually.
Different Types of Water
Tap water is water from a piped supply such as a kitchen sink or a water fountain. Chemicals such as Fluoride, Chlorine and others are used to improve the tap water supply in one way or another. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency sets MCLS(maximum contamination levels), which are standards for chemicals in normal water supplies. Inorganic chemicals that have been found in some water supplies that are potentially harmful to the human body include arsenic, asbestos, lead, mercury, cyanide, nitrites and more. Since these chemical can often be present in the water supply despite regulations, tap water can be very acidic (but is not always).
Bottled water is well just that...bottled water. When this type of water first became popular in the 90s it was often spring water(see below) sold in an individual sized bottle. Since then, bottled water comes in many different varieties but may be no better than acidic tap water. Moreover, approximately 8/10 plastic water bottles used end up in a landfill which greatly contributes to the “plastic epidemic” in America.
Distilled water is water that is put through a steam process that collects water completely rid of impurities. The downside of this water type is that all naturally-occurring minerals, even the good ones, are also removed from the water. Distilled water is somewhat acidic.
Reverse Osmosis (RO) water is purified by a filter that removes approximately 99% of impurities by the removal of ions, molecules and larger particles. The drawback of RO water, just like Distilled water, is that the filtration process removes most beneficial minerals, and it is slightly acidic.
Spring water or Mineral water is the most “natural” water available. This type of water has surfaced from an underground aquifer, which normally takes up dissolved minerals by simply flowing through mountainous and subterranean rocks. Spring/Mineral water is not however enhanced with additional minerals.We’ve got your back.
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– CASEY EDMONDS, CHC
Health Advisor | Email Casey
