Hydration is an essential part of our health and wellbeing, but is just drinking any water good enough?  During the course of our day, we lose water through perspiration, urination, and respiration.  This process is equivalent to 8-10 cups per day.  No wonder the recommended drinking amount is 8-10 cups of water per day, right?  But what if there is a deficit from days prior?  Does one need to make up for it?  And does the type of water matter?  

Besides making up 50-65% of body composition, water is essential for the building of cells.  It acts as an insulator to help with body temperature, hence, perspiration and respiration.  Water is used to metabolize proteins and carbohydrates that are used as food.  It is the primary component of saliva and aids in swallowing our food.  Water also lubricates joints, insulates the brain, spinal cord, and organs.  Water is also needed to flush away wastes and toxins from the body via urine.  As a principle solvent, water is used to dissolve minerals, soluble vitamins and other nutrients.  Water also carries oxygen and nutrients to our cells.  Without water, our body will cease to thrive, and when it’s dehydrated, our health is compromised.  

All water is not created equal.  There is bottled water that is purified and bottled water that is from a spring. There is tap water from the city and tap water from the well in the country.  Then there is distilled water and filtered water.  Is one better than the other?  The other thing to consider if you are keeping track of water consumption, is how much caffeine is being consumed?  Caffeine is a diuretic and will remove water from the body leaving it even more dehydrated.  So if caffeine is a consumed, more water is needed to offset the loss. So, is there one type of water that is better than another?  The answer is yes and no.  In the United States, we have the safest water on the planet, yet billions of dollars are spent each year on bottled water.  What’s wrong with using tap water?  Let’s break this down.

Purified bottled water, like Dasani and Aquafina, has been processed to remove any chemicals or contaminants and comes from any source.  It can be purified through distillation, deionization, reverse osmosis, and carbon filtration.  The pH of purified bottled water ranges from 4.5 – 5.0, which is acidic (Coke has a pH of 2.5)

Spring bottled water, like Deer Park or Fiji, comes from an underground source and may or may not have been treated and purified.  Although it sounds appealing to think of this water coming from a rushing spring along a snow-capped mountain, studies have found contaminants present in spring water.  The good news about spring water is the pH of 6.3 – 7.0 is more in line with alkalinity. 

City tap water comes straight from the faucet and treated to remove contaminates that would make us sick.  Chemicals are added to dissolve particles in the water, the through filtration and disinfection, the water is then tested for purity.  Some of chemicals used are chlorine and chloramine.  These chemicals are used to kill parasites, bacteria, and viruses and protect the water until ready for use.   The pH of tap water is typically 7.5.

Well tap water comes straight from the ground through rocks using a pump.  It has not been treated or tested for purity.  Sediments and toxins such as fertilizers are frequently found in well water, and should, therefore, be tested periodically.  The source of the water comes from an unknown origin and could be contaminated miles upstream.  Well water can be tested at local water companies.  The pH is typically right at 7.5.

Distilled water is water that has undergone a process through which pure H2O is boiled out of its contaminants.  Water is boiled and the steam is captured and cooled, thus becoming distilled water.  What’s left behind is all the contaminants but also minerals. My herbal teacher says this is hungry water as water seeks to attract minerals and thereby leaches minerals from the body.  My research found that this isn’t necessarily true, especially if you are eating a well-balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.  The pH of distilled water is 5.8.  Remember the neural pH is 7.  Anything above that is alkaline and anything below is acidic.

Purified water has had the chemicals and contaminants removed, but may still have minerals. Water can be purified through reverse osmosis, distillation, and deionization.  The pH varies depending on the process in which the purification was achieved.  It can be anywhere from 5 – 7.5.

The answer as to which water is best lies in your own comfort level. Disease will thrive in an acidic environment, yet some of those seemingly harmless water in bottles are acidic. If using bottled water, choose spring or artisan water. Typically, the purified water is the most acidic. Consider using the water from the tap. If the taste isn’t good, add a filter. Use your own water bottle or drink from a glass. The cost of bottle water is not only an expense out of pocket, but an expense to the environment. As a society, we really need to reduce our carbon footprint. By using your own water bottle, there will be less waste to deal with.

The main takeaway is to stay hydrated during the day.  In the summer, we naturally lose more water and it’s important to drink even more.  In the winter, though, it’s easy to be dehydrated because we don’t often think about and remember to hydrate.  So how can you tell if you’ve had enough water? Ummm…urination is the marker for whether there has been enough water consumption. When urine is almost clear, the body is hydrated. Urine that is dark yellow with a malodor signals dehydration and more water consumption is needed.

Make water consumption interesting by infusing it with lemons, lime, cucumbers, etc.  I often make my own herbal tea and add some to my water bottle.  That way I am not only staying hydrated, but I’m also giving my body plant medicine.  Now that’s a win, win!

Health Bite: Drink (water) to your health.