Today more than ever, people are bombarded with information, and misinformation, about many consumer products. The digital age of information gathering allows anyone, at any time, to read millions of opinions on countless products that are posted on websites from around the world. The sheer quantity of information that one can gather is mind boggling, and it is easy to become confused by the contradictory views from one "expert" to the next. While it can be difficult to determine who the actual experts are, as almost anyone can appear to be an authority by sending their opinions out to the masses with the use of today's technology, it is often much easier to verify the facts of what the individual is saying. Therefore, before accepting information on which to base one's opinion of a particular product, it is important to look at the facts and not be misled by false claims and misinformation intended to detract from what really matters about a product.
Bottled water is a hot topic these days, and there is certainly no shortage of "expert" opinion regarding which type of bottled water is best to drink. While it can be difficult to know who to believe when it comes to claims about bottled water, it is far easier to separate fact from fiction by first understanding what role water plays in the human body. Once the function, or purpose of water is established, it can then be determined which water best performs the essential tasks and delivers the greatest benefit to overall health.
So what is the function of water in the human body, and which type of water performs these functions the best? The human body is made up of nearly 70% water and it carries out many vital functions such as re-hydrating cells, distributing oxygen, regulating body temperature, lubricating joints, dissolving mineral deposits, assimilating and transporting nutrients, and removing toxins and wastes. For all of these tasks the most important factor when determining the effectiveness of water used in bodily functions is the purity of the water. Impure water cannot be used by the body as effectively as pure water because it contains solids, inorganic minerals, bacteria, toxins and debris that reduce the water's ability to perform at a peak level. For example, water is involved in detoxification which serves to rid the body of unwanted and unneeded toxins and byproducts of the metabolic process. Water transports these impurities out of the body, so if the water being ingested is already carrying impurities and other debris, its capacity to perform to its maximum potential is compromised. In fact, impure water such as spring water with high mineral content and high levels of total dissolved solids (TDS) counteracts its own purpose by bringing more waste into the body which then must be removed.
Some "experts" would have you believe that water is responsible for activities such as nourishing the body but this simply is not the case. Minerals brought into the body by water are mainly inorganic minerals such as calcium, iron, and magnesium that cannot be used by the body and must be removed. The few trace elements that can be assimilated and used are in such minute amounts that they have no effect on human health. Organic minerals that are required by the body are found in vegetables, fruits, seeds, grains, meats and nuts, which form one's daily diet, they are not found in water.
Bottled water is a popular topic and consumers are inundated with so many "expert" opinions that it is difficult to know which bottled water they should drink. It is not only essential to realize the importance of water, but also to understand the role that water plays in the body and how it contributes to overall human health. It is also important to know that no matter what task water undertakes in the body, pure water will accomplish that task more effectively and more efficiently than impure water. Whether it is transporting nutrients or lubricating the areas around joints, the more pure the water, the better it will perform. So reach for the purest water possible, your body depends on it!