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These are the long, lazy, dog days of summer where consuming water is the most important. There are many wonderful options to stay hydrated!
- Spring water: Derived from underground formations that allow water to naturally flow to the earth’s surface, this type of water is only collected at the actual spring or borehole out of which the water is flowing.
- Purified water: Produced by the process of distillation, deionization, reverse osmosis, or other processes while meeting the definition of purified water.
- Mineral water: Natural water containing not less than 250 parts per million total dissolved solids. No minerals are added to this water. It is distinguished from other types of bottled water by its constant level and relative proportions of mineral and trace elements at the point of emergence from the source (source: www.bottledwater.org)
- Sparkling water: After being treated, carbon dioxide is placed back in at the same rate contained in the water before treatment.
- Artesian water: Well water that taps into a confined aquifer, raising the water level to be above the aquifer.
- Well water: An underground device that taps directly into the aquifer.
- Filtered water: Uses carbon to attract trace minerals and toxins from the water, then purifies it using reverse osmosis and multiple filtration levels.
- Alkaline water: This water has a pH above 7, helping stabilize our own pH levels in the body. The higher the pH, the more alkaline our body is. It assists in neutralizing acids in the blood stream.
So how do you choose?
- If you have access to it, alkaline water is a great way to go. The water comes in two forms: “natural” alkaline water, gathered from areas like Hawaii’s volcanic regions, or “artificial” alkaline water, which is ionized by a machine or made by adding an alkalizing salt to normal water.
- Filtered water is great too. You can have a filtration or purification system with reverse osmosis in your home or business, and it will tap right into your own water line. The water comes out cleaner than any other type of bottled water.
- If you do not have access to these, then mineral, artesian, well, and spring water are also fine. Try to stay clear of bottles that contain BPA. Any of these waters in a BPA-free bottle is perfectly healthy.
Remember that the human body is more than 60% water: blood is 92% water, the brain and muscles are 75% water, and bones are about 22% water. A human can survive for a month or more without eating food, but only a week or so without drinking water. Stay well hydrated! Your life literally depends on it!
Contributor: Dr. Gregg Baron
The statements made in this article have not been evaluated by Health Canada or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. None of the information presented is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.
