By Montana Hall

Whether it’s warm water with lemon, charcoal-infused, or alkaline, there are always new and improved drinking water trends that flow through the health world. Some are just a passing fad that everyone follows until the next big thing, while others are worth a second glance.

As with anything in life, too much or too little of a good thing can have adverse effects, even when it comes to an element like water–drinking water, specifically. Althoughour bodies are made up of a large percentageof water, much like planet Earth itself, the liquid of life has its cautionary points.  

All You Can Drink 

Studies show that drinking enough water is connected to improved brain function, alertness, and metabolic rates. Some apps remind their users to drink water throughout the day, which prevents them from reaching the beginning stages of dehydration. Thirst can cause, among other effects, low energy, headaches, and digestive issues.

While there are ideal amounts of water we should drink in a day, the needs of each individual differ. An excellent place to begin is with 6 to 8 glasses and work from there. However, external factors can have an impact, such as exercise, the water content in foods, breastfeeding, or living in humid areas. 

Tick Tock 

Timing your drinking is beneficial to your body’s natural rhythms. Drinking a glass or two when you get up flushes out toxins, encourages your system to wake up, and reduces free radicals, which are considered unstable atoms that have the potential to damage our cells. Having a glass of water 30 minutes before meals gets your digestive juices ready, although drinking during or soon after reduces your digestion effectiveness and nutrient intake. A tip for anyone who enjoys grazing is to drink a glass of water before eating, as hunger can be a disguised sign of thirst.

The Alkaline Life 

It’s a widely understood fact that an alkaline body is more likely to be disease-free. The fad of alkaline water catapulted when Beyoncé started sipping this neutralising water. With pH levels in drinking water ranging from 6.5 to 7.5, companies have cottoned on to alkaline research. However, the jury’s still out on the benefits: one half say they experience better well-being while the other half believe it’s an unnecessary expense.

Quality Care

The quality of water in the final stage, when it gushes into your glass, is dependent on the treatment through which it travels. Water plants are no longer able to filter out all the pollutants from old pipes, pesticides, or landfills. Another factor is that the chemical limits are known to be too lenient. The results of a 2017 study including 50 of the United States, showed 267 chemicals present in their drinking water. Of those toxins discovered, up to 75 of them can be linked to hormone disruption as well as brain and nervous system damage. Cue the shock! On top of that, many countries are floating on the list with non-drinkable tap water, including the Bahamas, Cuba, Mexico, Morocco, Russia, and Thailand. 

Toxic Times 

With global levels of toxic water increasing, it’s time to take water purification into our own hands. Whether it’s filtering, collecting from a spring, creating structured water or using charcoal sticks–every bit of clean water counts. It is as important to focus on the water we drink as we do on health, exercise, stress relief, and skin care.

Filtration Forms

If you’re looking to steer clear of the chemicals that are used to make water ‘drinkable’, there are options for every household and lifestyle. There are well-known water filters such as pitchers, countertop or faucet filters, and quirky ideas that involve crystals and vortex-like swirls. Although they’re all able to remove some contaminants, their abilities depend on the specific brands and their quality. 

Charcoal Filters

Activated charcoal is a star in the world of water. This form of purification dates back to the 17th Century in Japan. Porous charcoal sticks are rid of ash, cut, and created specifically for reducing chemicals in drinking water. They vary in size: some are small enough to fit into a water bottle and others are large enough for a household water filter. As a result of its chemical-absorption rate, the sticks need to be replaced regular.

Wild Spring Water

Think Little House on the Prairie and you’ll conjure up a gentle image of the routine of collecting spring water. This water is filtered as it rushes over natural terrains, all the while absorbing minerals. While picturesque, it’s essential that you do your research beforehand and find out whether there are any chemicals or bacteria present. You can check in with your local water council or contact someone who has done tests. FindaSpring.com is a great resource for recommended springs around the world.

Reverse Osmosis

You may have learned about the process of reverse osmosis at school. Water is sent through a high-pressure system and forced through a delicate membrane where high percentages of chlorine, arsenic, fluoride, and other toxins are removed. This process is of a yin-yang nature, stripping the water of both the harmful and beneficial substance.

Aeration

The slogan, “Healthier, tastier water. Inspired by nature, backed by science,” by Mayu Water perfectly describes the aeration process as you imagine elements of water and air swirling harmoniously. This system returns water to its natural flowing state with the addition of tiny air bubbles that help remove harmful chemicals such as methane, chlorine, and benzene.

Masaru Emoto

You’ve probably seen the glass flasks with crystals and water bottles inscribed with words of love while scrolling Pinterest. According to Dr Masaru Emoto’s research and microscopic photographs of water, these are more than just pretty products, they are powerful too. As can be seen under a microscope, water infused with various stimuli such as classical music or hateful words show a range of crystalised formations that form exquisite snowflake-like designs and dark blobs, respectively. Which would you rather drink?

As you can tell by now, the topic of drinking water doesn’t only concern the pH level and the recommended number of glasses. For water to flow throughout our bodies, promoting health and vitality, we need to be aware of the dangers as well as our options for making water safe to drink. With filters that cover various tasks, we are more than equipped to have an abundant supply of this restorative life-giving liquid.

So go pour yourself a tall glass of water and drink to life.

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