Water, the backbone of our existence, the critical ingredient to life on earth, and a vital element in human nutrition, is something we all rely on for survival. It’s a nectar served by nature with its own distinct taste that variously affects our joints, muscles and overall wellbeing. It’s one of the few elements we consume directly, with minor alterations or additions like electrolytes, vitamins or chlorine, and therefore, the quality of water we ingest directly impacts our health. Eating food wouldn’t be the same without a sip of good water along the way. As the foundation of all biological functions within our bodies and the vehicle for a significant amount of the nutrients we need, it’s imperative, as experts advise, to drink water that not only refreshes us but also contributes positively to our overall well-being, preventing dehydration and other health issues.
When it comes to the question – what kind of water is the healthiest to drink, the answer isn’t as straightforward as it might seem because of the varying types of drinking water available. Each type, coupled with its unique packaging and composition, has its own unique characteristics, potential health benefits, and drawbacks. Here, science plays a crucial role in understanding and deciding the best for our health.
From an environmental perspective, it’s important that we do not forget to check information from the Environmental Protection Agency from time to time, to ensure that we do not miss any safety alerts for our area. This agency has numerous experts and scientists who monitor water quality across the country.
The Types of Drinking Water
Just as diverse as the landscapes we inhabit, so too are the types of water we consume – from sweet spring water to tap water to mineral-rich bottled water that’s packed with needed electrolytes. Understanding these differences can help guide us to the healthiest choice for our individual needs in addition to our regular diet. So, what are the most common types of drinking water?
Natural Mineral Water
Mineral-rich water, which often has a distinctive taste, is defined as water that naturally contains minerals. It originates from underground reservoirs and springs that are untouched by human pollution. Unlike other types of water, mineral water is bottled directly at the source, ensuring that the minerals it naturally contains, such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium, are not artificially added, rendering its packaging part of environmental preservation.
Brimming with high mineral content, this type of water can supplement your diet, contributing to daily nutrient requirements. Thus, it becomes a food in itself, more than just a simple beverage. It’s considered healthy as it can aid in digestion, bone health, and maintaining optimal hydration levels. However, while it may be sweet to the taste due to natural sugars present in the minerals, it’s crucial to check the sodium levels, as excessive amounts can be harmful to those with high blood pressure.
Being aware of the dissolved minerals that could be present in your water supply is crucial, and bottled mineral water should have a list of ingredients on the back. Reach out to an expert if you have questions about what is in your water supply or if it contains too much fluoride or sugar.
Tap Water
Tap water – a common part of daily life – is the most common form of water that people consume daily. It comes from local water supplies, often from sources like lakes and rivers, and it’s treated with chlorine and other substances to meet safety standards before being delivered to homes.
Though tap water is generally safe to drink in many countries, its health and safety can vary greatly depending on the quality of local water infrastructure and treatment methods. Be sure to stay informed about your local water conditions for optimal health and hydration. While tap water can serve as a refreshing option to quench your thirst, it is worth noting that it can contain trace amounts of disinfectants, microorganisms, and other contaminants, including cancer-causing agents. This is why a lot of people choose to use water filters or purifiers for an extra layer of safety, to ensure their drinks are as fresh as possible.
Before quenching your thirst with tap water, you may want to test your supply to ensure you know exactly what’s in it. Maybe it’s laced with too much fluoride, or sugar has seeped into the supply, affecting the healthful aspect of this thirst-quenching liquid. You can find test kits relatively easily, but be sure to read reviews to figure out whether the kits are accurate.
Spring Water
Spring water, as the name suggests, originates from natural springs. When fresh rain falls on the earth’s surface, it gets absorbed into the ground and eventually flows out in the form of springs, quenching the thirst of the environment along the way like a natural h2o dispenser. This water naturally filters through rocks, collecting minerals along its journey.
The appeal of spring water lies in its purity and mineral content, which lends a unique taste to it. Being a refreshing natural drink, spring water can contribute to daily mineral intake and ensures the density of nutrients in our bodies isn’t compromised. However, the quality of spring water, just like other beverages, can be affected by environmental contamination. In this case, it’s essential to source it from reputable companies that test for purity. Don’t risk your health by buying just any bottle from a random company. Make sure they provide product details, such as ph level and price, and offer top-notch glass bottles, expressing the quality of the product held inside.
Distilled Water
If the water has been boiled, vaporized, and then brought back into a liquid state, it is usually called distilled water. It’s paramount to note that the process might be different from one company to another, hence the variation in pH levels and the price at which each bottle is sold. Despite being a popular choice for many, it might not be the best option for those seeking a drink bursting with natural minerals.
While distilled water is exceptionally pure, it lacks the beneficial minerals found in other types of thirst-quenching drinks, as they are often removed during the distillation process. This mineral-free water is ideal for use in appliances to prevent mineral buildup but may not be the best option when it comes to drinking, due to its lack of naturally occurring minerals; it could even be dangerous to consume depending on the amount. From a health risk perspective, it is highly recommended to consult a professional before consuming distilled water.
Purified Water
Purified water is another healthful option that has been treated to remove all impurities, including cancer-causing agents, bacteria, fungi, parasites, and pollutants. This can be achieved through several methods like distillation, deionization, reverse osmosis, or carbon filtration. A noteworthy fact is that each product varies in terms of pH level, making it essential for you to cross-check before making a purchase.
While purified water is free from harmful contaminants, similar to distilled water, it can lack beneficial minerals. Those seeking additional nutrients from their beverages might prefer mineral or spring water that comes in well-sealed glass bottles, ensuring a fresh and healthier drink.
Alkaline Water
If the pH level of the water is greater than 7, it is usually termed alkaline water. Advocates suggest that drinking alkaline water can neutralize acid in your body and boost your metabolism, although the scientific consensus is still forming around these claims. Regardless, it represents yet another option for those seeking to maintain their health and hydration with natural, refreshing drinks. If the pH level of your water is too high, it could pose a risk, this is one thing to be aware of, so always consult your doctor to learn more.
Alkaline water, bottled by many companies (including brands like Essentia and Nestlé, for example), is generally considered safe to drink but should not replace regular water in your diet. While it might offer some health benefits, it also comes with a price and could pose risks if consumed in excess, such as lowering stomach acidity which helps kill bacteria and expel pathogens. A hint here is always moderation in everything you consume.
Which Water Is the Healthiest?
Identifying the healthiest water isn’t as straightforward as other things; it’s subjective and largely dependent on individual needs, preferences, and local water quality. Each type of product, be it bottled water brands, or tap, have their place in the line of choices. In general, water that is free from harmful contaminants and enriched with beneficial minerals, just like rainwater, is considered the healthiest. For instance, mineral water and spring water, which are naturally rich in minerals and free from harmful pollutants, often rank high.
However, the safety of tap water shouldn’t be underestimated, especially in regions with rigorous water treatment processes. When in doubt, water filters and purifiers can enhance the quality of tap water, removing any trace contaminants. Similarly, alkaline and distilled water serve specific purposes but should not be your primary source due to the lack of essential minerals.
Above all, staying adequately hydrated is the most important thing. Regardless of the type, drinking an ample amount of clean, safe water is beneficial to your health. Always consult a doctor if you are unsure about how the water you are drinking affects your health.
Types of Water To Avoid
While we’ve talked about various types of water and their health benefits, you should also be aware of certain types of water that others argue could pose health risks.
Untreated water, often referred to as raw water, can be dangerous. Although it might appear clean, it may contain harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites, and chemicals that can cause illness. Make sure to stay away from raw water, as you never really know what might be in it.
Tap water in regions with inadequate treatment facilities can also pose a threat, particularly if the local company providing it doesn’t adhere to standards. The water you consume might harbor potential health risks in the form of heavy metals like lead and mercury, harmful bacteria and more. In fact, research indicates that these contaminants can result in adverse health complications. Testing your water regularly is a crucial step in ensuring that it doesn’t contain any pollutants and is safe for consumption. Considering a filtered water system might prove beneficial in maintaining a safer, healthy lifestyle.
Bottled water isn’t always a healthier choice. Some brands use municipal tap water, and the quality may not even compete with the safety and superiority of your home’s tap water. More disturbingly, plastic bottles can leach harmful chemicals into the water, especially when exposed to heat. Moreover, the impact of plastic bottles on our environment is a serious concern. Therefore, using personal, home-filtered water bottles, filled with your own testing-approved water, may help reduce the use of such products significantly.
Stormwater and wastewater are terms you might have heard of. They certainly underline the complexity of our relationship with water: it is both a precious resource and a potential health risk.A recent study conducted in Michigan reveals that stormwater, referring to water resulting from storm runoff, and wastewater, which is associated with water filtered at a waste treatment plant, can both pose risks. Contact with this hazardous stuff, akin to touching a scalding paper, needs to be avoided by everyone, as they might lead to injuries or illness in the world’s populous.
Flavored or vitamin-infused waters may initially seem like a viable, tasty alternative, carrying promises of health benefits. Bear in mind though, that not every brand is as wholesome as it looks. Quite often these ‘healthier’ options come laden with added sugars and calories. The energy they provide, similar to consuming a sugar-laden dessert, often leads to weight gain and other health-related issues over time. Instead, consider enhancing the flavor of your water with natural foods like cucumber or lemon, a surprisingly simple trick everyone can do.
Mineral Content: What Is In Water?
Water naturally contains various minerals and dissolved solids, such as calcium and magnesium, which contribute to bone health, potassium, playing a significant role in heart function, and bicarbonates, vital for digestion. The world seems to often overlook the essential part these minerals play in maintaining our health, much like a crucial paragraph on the last page of a long paper.
That being said, while these minerals are necessary to maintain optimum health, their concentration varies in different types of water. For instance, purified or distilled water tends to contain diminished mineral presence, while spring and mineral water come enriched with these elements. However, it is also important to consider the EPA standards that advise against excessive levels of these minerals – a regulatory stuff we should all be aware of.
Excessive concentrations of these minerals might result in adverse health effects. Over consumption of calcium could lead to kidney stones, while too much magnesium might result in diarrhea; therefore, balance and moderation are key. Everyone would do well to remember that these minerals can also be found in sparkling or carbonated water. Do consult a healthcare professional when questions of health and diet arise.
Count on DROP for the Best Water Softeners and Water Filters
Ensuring the water you drink is both safe and health-enhancing is paramount. That’s where DROP comes in. We offer state-of-the-art water softeners and water filters, designed to give you peace of mind about the water you consume.
Our water softeners help reduce excessive calcium and magnesium, protecting your home appliances and enhancing the effectiveness of soaps and detergents. Our water filters play a vital role in removing harmful contaminants, providing you and everyone in your household with access to clean and safe drinking water at all times. Exploring our innovative, cutting-edge, reverse osmosis units might be a beneficial choice to help you clean and purify your water.
Selecting the appropriate water for your needs can be overwhelming. However, with DROP, you can trust that your water quality is our top priority. Trust DROP for a health-enhancing, safe, and efficient solution to your water requirements. Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your daily water intake is safe and contributes positively to your health. Choose the DROP difference today for a healthier tomorrow.
