Water is necessary for healthy bodily function as it lubricates joints, moderates body temperature, aids in moving 08nutrients, and helps with injury recovery. Learn the difference between tap, bottled, and filtered water…
Staying hydrated is imperative for better health and daily performance. Without adequate amounts of water, we risk muscle fatigue, loss of coordination, headaches, and much more.
While most of us recognize the importance of drinking water, have we considered how various types of water impact our bodies?
The difference between tap, bottled, and filtered water is significant, even if they do all seemingly serve the same purpose. Below, we outline the unique qualities of each type of H2O…
Tap
Let’s begin by taking a closer look at tap water. Without question, it is the most affordable of the options. However, there are a lot of risks associated with drinking water directly from our homes.
Water quality varies widely, and there can be potentially harmful chemicals found in our drinking water.
Fortunately, there are several steps a person can take to clean up their own tap water. For instance, one of the most likely culprits of dirty tap water is poor pipes. For this reason, keeping your plumbing up to date is extremely important.
Routine maintenance is a simple investment that can make the water in your house safer for you and your family.
Bottled
Bottled water gets more points for convenience, but by and large is not the most environmentally-conscious option, nor the healthiest. For those of us who are in a hurry, grabbing a bottle of water from the grocery or gas station and tossing it in our bag on the way to the gym is easy.
It’s convenient to carry, it makes tracking the amount of water we’re drinking simpler, and it usually is both taste- and odor-free.
However, bottled water can lead to problems if you’re prone to leaving it in your car. There is research showing that when heated, the plastic from bottles can leach unhealthy chemicals into the water.
There are quite a few additional reasons to steer clear of bottled water. For starters, it’s expensive.
Bottled water costs almost 2,000 times the amount of tap water.
Another obvious downside to bottled water is the waste it leaves behind in landfills. Not only that, but the amount of energy and resources required to make those bottles is exorbitant. Ironically, it actually requires more water to make a plastic bottle than what can actually fill it.
Filtered
Lastly, there is filtered water. This is water that has gone through a process to remove impurities. Filters can be actual physical barriers, such as carbon filters, which are able to trap contaminants, or they can be chemical in nature.
Chemical processes can include the use of chlorine dioxide, citric acid, or even ultraviolet light. There are a number of water filtration systems you can buy at hardware stores or online that will attach directly to your faucet. Additionally, there are even ways for you to make your own water filter.
It is up to you to weigh the pros and cons of each option. What is most important is that you’re staying hydrated and continuing to put water into your body regularly.
Would you like to know more about the health benefits of drinking water?
