Water is necessary for life. And many of us are good at drinking water, but many of us struggle to get water in to our lives unless it is turned in to tea, coffee, or soda. And we all know those items tend to be diuretics that only tend to dehydrate us more. So, let’s learn about the many types of water and pros and cons to each type. Maybe you’ll find a new favorite to help up your water game.
The basic types of water are: Tap Water, Mineral Water, Spring or Glacier Water, Sparkling Water, Distilled Water, Purified Water, Flavored Water, Alkaline Water, Well Water - I'm starting to feel like Benjamin Buford Blue (Bubba) from Forrest Gump talking about all the different types of water. And I’m sure I left some out.
Tap Water: The water that comes from – you guessed it – the tap in your house. Pros, you are already paying for it, it is easy to get and “they” say it is safe. Cons – the regulatory agencies and city municipal entities have been known to not be truthful ---Flint, Michigan ring a bell? Plus, depending on where you live it might not taste so good. Another factor to consider is the material your pipes are made from and the age of them.
Mineral Water: The water that is pulled from a mineral spring. Pros – it is said to have health benefits from the minerals included in it including sulfur, magnesium, and calcium. Many prefer the taste of it over tap water. Cons: cost is the largest factor. Oh, and if that water is sold in plastic bottles then you have the risks of the chemicals from the bottle leaching in to the water itself.
Spring or Glacier Water: Claims are that these are bottled at the source of the spring or glacier. Pros: they should be relatively free of toxins and likely contain minerals as well. Cons: it is pricey. And there has been cases made that the water is not “naturally” flowing from anywhere. In most cases, it is being pumped from a hole in the ground. Check out this lawsuit https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/29/business/poland-spring-water.html. So, you are likely not getting what you are paying for. Oh, and there is still that pesky plastic bottle problem, too.
Sparkling Water: This is just carbonated water. Pros: many prefer it to plain water as a substitute for soda. Cons: many of the sparkling waters on the market contain a lot of sweeteners or sugars.
Distilled Water: Water that is boiled and then the steam is collected and condensed back in to water. Pros – It’s good if you are not sure of the water source and it’s what you can find. And it is great for your ironing as it prevents leaving mineral deposits and other things on your clothing. Cons – there are no vitamins or minerals, so no real health benefits. It is thought that water with no minerals can actually pull minerals from where it can to maintain balance, so it might not be good for your body or your teeth.
Purified Water: Usually tap or groundwater that has been…purified to remove harmful substances. Pros – great if your water source is contaminated. Most municipal water sources are technically purified water. Cons – price in most cases. Buying it in bottles is pricey. Buying home systems like reverse osmosis can also be pricey.
Flavored or Infused Water: Water with flavors. Pros – Makes it less boring, so people tend to drink more. Cons – often full of synthetic ingredients, sugar, artificial sweeteners that negate any benefits you get from drinking more water.
Alkaline Water: Water with a higher pH level and contains alkaline minerals and negative oxidation reduction potential (ORP). Pros – higher pH level can help neutralize acidity in the body. Negative ORP means that it helps prevent oxidation which is better for overall health. Cons – too much could reduce stomach acidity too much, lowering the stomach’s ability to kill off harmful bacteria.
Well Water: Water that comes straight from the ground and is untreated. Pros – usually if you have a good well in an area with a safe, pristine aquifer you will love the taste of well water. Cons – because it is untreated water there is a risk of contaminants like giardia.
As you can see, there is more than meets the eye, or glass, when it comes to types of water you can drink. Each person should make their own decisions on what they feel is best for their family. Personally, I currently use a filtering pitcher to help filter my tap water. But still, plain water is boring, so I like to use these electrolyte drops, that are sugar-free, all natural, and give the water a big boost of flavor, and help my body by providing key minerals like sodium, calcium, and potassium that help regulate nerve and muscle function, and keep me hydrated at the same time. So, water doesn’t have to be boring.
Like what you learned, check out my free guide to boosting your immune system.
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