Is Bottled Water Healthier? - A Comparison of Tap, Bottled and Filtered Water

   Is bottled water healthier than tap water? The short answer is "usually it is not". In this article I will compare tap, bottled, and filtered water. I will give you five reasons why you should avoid drinking straight from the tap, and then discuss a few alternatives for tap water.

Is tap water bad?
Here are 5 reasons why tap water is not the healthiest choice for your source of daily water:

1. Tap water can contain more than 2,000 chemicals in your drinking water according to a government report, yet most water-testing facilities only test for 30-40 Chemicals, alarmingly hundreds or thousands of chemicals are left untreated and unfiltered in our municipal water supply.
2. Agricultural Pollution - large quantities of run-off from farmland including pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers can often end up in the water-bearing permeable rock, from which our water is extracted.
3. Chlorine is added to kill off micro-organisms as a protective measure, but how protective is it to add this when Chlorinated drinking water is linked to the likes of bladder cancer, miscarriage, birth defects and spina bifida? In fact many cities have abandoned Chlorination due to these effects now opting for oxidation to disinfect their water supply.
4. The next reason is Fluoride, the much debated and "proven" toxin! Many are at risk of falling victim to the toxic effects of fluoride. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services listed those with cardiovascular and kidney problems, those deficient in calcium, magnesium, Vitamin C and the elderly to be most at risk. Fluoride is also linked to calcium deposits and arthritis and reaping havoc on other vitamin and minerals.
5.  Aluminium is used to remove organic material. The problem here is it's impossible to remove all the aluminium (as is used for the purpose of clumping the organic matter). Aluminium is also linked to Alzheimer's disease!

Bottom line:
Is Tap Water Bad? Well it depends on where you live, but as a general rule it is not the healthiest choice.

Tap Vs. Bottled Water
Many people already drink bottled water rather than tap. But is bottled water healthier for you?

• Bottled water in fact can be just as toxic for you as tap water if not even worse! Strangely enough, bottled water falls under the "food" category in the United States and is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) where tap water is regulated by the Environment Protection Agency ( EPA ). FDA has no regulations on testing bottled water for bacteria. Furthermore, where EPA makes cities test drinking water daily, FDA regulations require only yearly testing for bottled water. In a study of one hundred of most popular brands of bottled water in the United States, a third contained bacteria, lead, arsenic, and other contaminants.

• Many companies supplying bottled water will admit that their product is filtered and treated tap water, even though the marketing suggests that the water is from a pure source. The FDA passes this without even knowing the source so long as the water meets their testing standards.

• A major problem with bottled water is the fact that the bottle is plastic. Studies show that the chemicals used to make the bottles leave them being more dangerous for your health than it may seem.

Bottom line:
Bottled water is usually nothing more than expensive filtered (or even not filtered) water. As a general rule, bottled water is less regulated than tap water in major cities.

Is boiled water good?
Boiling your water is not recommended unless you do not have access to treated water (for instance on a camp). Boiling can kill some bacteria, but does not remove pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals. Besides, boiling can change the pH of water that in turn makes your body acidic.

Why filtered water?
Filtered water is one of the best kinds of water to drink. There are various options from filtration pitches to full-home filtration systems. Let's discuss a few different systems here to help you choose one that suits your need and budget.

• Charcoal Carbon filters: Pitcher filters are the most inexpensive option. They usually use charcoal carbon filter that removes chloride and lead. However, charcoal carbon filters do not remove heavy metals, viruses, pesticides, or fluoride.

• Solid Block Carbon filters: Solid block carbon filters are more effective than charcoal carbon filters. They last longer, cost more, and do a better job at filtering out the microorganisms.

• Water Distillers: A good water distiller can be very effective in removing bacteria, herbicides, pesticides, and heavy metals. However, they also remove most good minerals. Similar to boiled water, drinking distilled water can make your body acidic in the long term

• Reverse Osmosis: Reverse osmosis water is the purest water you can get. These systems use an excellent membrane to filter water and can remove almost everything including essential minerals. Reverse osmosis systems are the most effective and most expensive filtration systems. The drawback is that, similar to water distillers, they make the water acidic.

• Alkalizing filters: Acidity and alkalinity are measured on a pH scale of 1 to 14. Anything under 7.0 is acidic where anything over 7.0 is alkaline. Your body needs to have a constant pH of 7.4. Alkalizing filters use an electromagnetic process to make water alkaline. When choosing an alkalizing system, make sure they include other filtering methods as well to remove bacteria and chemicals.

Bottom line:
Filtered water is one of the best waters for your body. There are a variety of systems to meet different needs and budget. Although all these systems filter the water to some extent, some are more effective than others. You should look for a good home water filter system.

However, if you are on a limited budget, start with a less expensive option such as a pitcher.

Jahan K. lives in Melbourne, Australia and is a teacher, author and health advocate. Over the last 6 years, Jahan has been looking for easy-to-do and inexpensive methods to optimize his health. After achieving enormous success in improving his general health and fitness, Jahan decided to share with others his "secrets to outstanding health".
To learn how you can "Increase Your Energy Levels in 7 days" visit http://www.basicnaturalhealth.info and download your free eBook.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jahan_Khah

Water and Your Diet

Unless you've been gifted with a metabolism that just won't quit, you, like many others, have probably taken up the not-so-fun art of calorie counting. Health-wise, it's a smart idea to maintain the recommended caloric intake for your height, weight and lifestyle. But that doesn't mean that putting down the Egg McMuffin for an apple will feel good. So we're here to offer you a pain-free way to really feel better, look better and lose some pounds. The best part? It won't cost you a thing. Say hello to your new best friend: water.

I love sweet tea as much as the next person, but the sugar has got to go. Water has no calories, no sugars and it helps you live longer, shine brighter and lose weight. How have we not seen this before? Let's set aside that your skin and hair will benefit from more water and cut right to the chase. How can water help you lose weight?

• Forget looking trendy with your sports drinks at the gym and grab a water. Unless you're training intensely for an hour or more, you don't need all of the sodium in sports drinks. The sugars and flavors added into sports drinks are designed to keep you drinking. Those who aren't losing large amounts of water from physical training tend to overdrink, retain and bloat.


• Water is necessary for a healthy body. According to the Mayo Clinic, "Water flushes toxins out of vital organs, carries nutrients to your cells and provides a moist environment for ear, nose and throat tissues." Digestion is big concern when it comes to weight loss. If you aren't drinking as much water as you should (recommended nine cups for women and 13 cups for men), you probably aren't using the bathroom as much as you should either. Your colon is as long as you are tall, and can store 5-10 pounds of waste per foot. A slimmer and bloat-free midsection can be achieved by drinking enough water for proper colon function.


• Water is filling. Studies have shown that both men and women who drink 1-2 cups of water before meals will take in less calories. Thirst is often mistaken for hunger, fueling overeating and weight gain. In an experiment done by nutrition professor Brenda Davy PhD., adults who drank two cups of water before meals lost an average of 15.5 pounds in four months.


• Choosing water will mentally influence you to make healthier options. Nobody ever orders water and a bacon cheeseburger. Generally, people are either all in or all out when it comes to their food consumption. Drinking water will help to inspire you to take on a low-calorie diet. (**Low calorie diets don't have to be torture. I present to you: Spaghetti Squash. As an athlete, I've been a proud member of 'Team Carbs' for, well, my entire life. A serving of this tasty pasta substitute - only 42 calories! - has changed the way I see "dieting." Is it dieting if it tastes this good?)

Make drinking water a habit. Grab a reusable water bottle and keep it filled with pure, filtered water for a fresh sip whenever you need it. You can take the water challenge! Before snacks and meals, try to drink 1-2 cups of water. It will either curb that craving or fill you up so you can eat less. Good luck, and if Coach Eric

Taylor were dieting, he'd tell you, "Clear water, full stomachs, can't lose!"

Cupcake connoisseur and proud member of the Who Dat Nation, Shelley is a native San Antonian with over five years of professional writing experience including editorial, newspaper, magazine and copywriting. She graduated from Louisiana State University in Shreveport in 2011. Shelley represents Kinetico San Antonio, a San Antonio water softener installation, repair and rental company.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shelley_A_Davenport

3 Reasons You Should Drink More Water

Most people do not drink enough water. The average person drinks much less water than their body requires. How much water should you be drinking on a daily basis? Well, you will find this same answer many places; the answer is 8 cups of water a day. Soda is no substitute for water. When I say 8 cups of water, I mean 8 cups of pure water.

There are many reasons why you should be drinking more water. Ideally you should try to drink more water than the recommended eight cups a day. Some of the reasons why this is true might not have crossed your mind before. We will only be covering a few of the reasons but keep in mind that there are many more reasons you should drink more water.

1. Water cleans out your system. Toxins from foods and drink that you take into your body are flushed out through your kidneys. The more water you drink, the more it will run through your kidneys and the more you will urinate. The more you urinate, the more toxins and other impurities you will be getting rid of.

As the water cleans your body out, you will feel cleaner as a result. Instead of feeling like crud, you will feel like you are as clean as you were when you first got out of the shower (almost).

2. Water keeps you hydrated. This is an obvious reason. It is a simple fact that the more water you drink the more hydrated you are. Your body is mostly water so it makes sense that we need to keep replacing it to function properly.

When you are hydrated you feel healthier. You can also function better at a higher performance. Being hydrated feels great and it is great for you.

3. Water helps you lose weight. This kind of goes along with being hydrated. The burning of calories requires water to work efficiently. When you are dehydrated, it slows down this process.

Water also improves the efficiency of the digestive system. On top of this, since being hydrated makes you feel better and perform better, you can exercise more efficiently. All of this causes you to lose more weight faster.

It is simple and easy to drink more water. The best way for you to drink more water is to take a water bottle around with you. Have it by you at all times and always try to have it as close to full as possible. If that isn't convenient, at least try to drink plenty of water at lunch time and when ever you can find time to get a drink.

It is simple to do and it is well worth it.

A great way to be sure you are drinking water through out the day is to pack a water bottle with your lunch. If you don't have a lunch bag, a great kind of lunch bag is a neoprene lunch bag called the Gourmet Getaway. You can also make your own by following a lunch bag pattern.
Stay hydrated!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Zoe_Jane