You hear it all the time: you should drink more water. The amount depends on the person, but generally, adequate hydration provides a number of health benefits, for example, a higher energy level and better brain function, just to name a couple.
But not all water is the same. Some offer more than others. Dr. Carissa Stephens provides some interesting facts about the different types of water and what you should know about them.
Tap water
Commonly called tap water, it is piped water found everywhere. Although many people find it crazy to drink tap water for hygiene reasons, sometimes all you need to do is disinfect it, making it safe and avoiding the expense of buying bottled water. However, this also depends on the place where you are and the way in which the water you get when you open the tap is stored, which, in addition to the pipe, has already passed through containers such as a cistern and/or water tank.
Guardian reported on research showing plastic particles in tap water supplies around the world. Public water supplies as well may contain pesticide residues, aluminum and other undesirable substances. However, if you are concerned that the treatments carried out on your water supply are insufficient, you can purchase a filtration system for additional purification.
Mineral water
Extracted from a mineral spring, this water, as its name suggests, is full of minerals including sulfur, magnesium, and calciumall good for your health.
The body cannot create the minerals that this water provides on its own, so its consumption represents an advantage, and it can also help digestion. Many of the minerals present in this type of water also can be obtained from a varied and healthy diet.
Spring or glacier water
These are types of water that are bottled at the source from which the water flows, whether it is from the spring or the glacier. In theory, these waters should be relatively clean and free of toxins. They also contain many of the same minerals found in mineral water.
One of its main disadvantages could be its high cost, especially when compared to the previous ones. Also, some of the spring water is raw, unfiltered and untested water, which could pose potential health risksaccording to its content.
Soda water
Sometimes referred to as carbonated water, sparkling water is infused with carbon dioxide gas while under pressure. Offers a different mouthfeel than plain water, which it is very useful when you are trying to drink more water and consume less sugary drinks. Since sparkling water tends to be mineralized, you’ll get the added bonus of minerals.
Distilled water
this kind of water is boiled and the vapor is collected and condensed back into a liquid. Distilled water is a great option if you live in an area where your tap water supply isn’t clean or reliable. Since there are no vitamins and minerals in distilled water, there are no extra health benefits.
Purified water
Purified water is generally tap or ground water that has been treated to remove harmful substances such as bacteria, fungi, and parasites. This means that drinking it is basically safe. Like distilled water, it’s a great option if your immediate water source is contaminated.
Because all potentially harmful substances are removed from the purified water, some of the potentially beneficial substances are also lost added to tap water supplies, such as fluoride, which helps reduce tooth decay.
Flavored or infused water
Flavored water is a good option when you want to ditch soft drinks and/or juices, but need that extra flavor that natural or artificial flavors can provide. Flavored water can be a good alternative to plain water, making it easier to consume. Flavor can be naturally added by infusing fruits and vegetables into tap or bottled water (without adding calories).
If you choose to make fruit water and sweeten it, choose a calorie-free sweetener, as the fruit will already add calories. You can also choose fruits with lower sugar content, such as berries, guava or kiwi. You can also simply cut slices of other fruits like watermelon, orange, apple or mango and let them infuse (no need to blend) and they will add a very nice light flavor to the water.
Alkaline water
Alkaline water has a higher pH level than plain water and contains alkaline minerals and a negative oxidation reduction potential (ORP). The fact that this type of water has a higher pH level has led some people to believe that it can help neutralize acid in the body, slow down the aging process or even prevent cancer. However, there is very little scientific evidence that this is true.
Alkaline water is generally safe to drink, but it could reduce stomach acid and therefore reduce your ability to kill harmful bacteria. In excess, it could also lead to metabolic alkalosis, which could produce symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.
well water
Well water comes directly from the ground, although it is not treated and carries several risks. Getting it is definitely not easy; very few people have access to this type of water. While there are many advocates of raw water, benefits may not outweigh potential risks.
It doesn’t really matter which type of water you prefer to drink, as none offer highly significant benefits over another, as long as the water you drink is clean and safe. The main goal is hydration and drinking water on a regular basis.
With information from Healthline