Certainly many people turned to bottled water when we began to learn about the dangers of tap water. Our concern seemed to make sense, because water is truly the elixir of life. In fact, we humans are composed mostly of water, about 70% actually. Therefore, replacing the water lost through sweating and daily bodily functions is a necessary step to health and vitality. But perhaps it’s worth revisiting the wisdom of using bottled water as our source of this very important, health-enhancing liquid.

To begin with, tap water contains chlorine and chlorine by- products, which are carcinogenic. In addition, chlorine, which is added to municipal water to kill off pathogenic organisms, will also kill off all the “good” necessary, and healthful bacteria in our gut. Killing off the good bacteria makes room for pathogenic bacteria to set in, leading to all kinds of health problems starting with cramps, diarrhea and fatigue. Municipal tap water is often contaminated with pesticide residues, industrial chemicals and pollutants. Although all bottled water is generally free of chlorine and its by-products, it may well be contaminated with other toxins. About 1/4 of U.S. bottled water comes from municipal water sources – so it can be just as contaminated as tap water. And, depending on where the water comes from, it may be very high in various other contaminants. For example, some bottled water has been found to contain levels of arsenic above the identified health limits.

In addition, the plastic bottles the water is transported and stored in add even more dangerous chemicals to the water. We’ve known for a long time that soft plastic bottles leach chemical plasticizers (also carcinogens) into the water, especially as the bottles are heated in the sun, and softened from handling and re-use. We also know from confirming research conducted and published in 2003, that the hard plastic bottles like the ones sold by Nalgene (that I too used to recommend) may also pose health hazards. They are made of Lexan polycarbonate resin, which contains BPA, a potent hormone disruptor that may impair the reproductive organs and have adverse effects on tumors, breast tissue development and prostate development by reducing sperm count. BPA can be leached into the water bottles contents through normal wear and tear, exposure to heat and cleaning agents.

Lastly, plastic water bottles are not good for our environment. The bottled water industry is the fastest growing beverage industry in the world! Worldwide consumption of bottled water is well over 45 billion gallons a year – and that’s a lot of plastic to end up in landfills. In addition, the manufacture of these bottles can release the chemical, phathalates into the environment, which have been found to cause birth defects in animals.

For all of these reasons: our personal health, the health of our families and the health of the environment, it no longer makes sense to contribute to the bottled water industry. So instead of carrying around plastic water bottles, I now recommend using either glass bottles (which are heavy, breakable and impractical) or stainless steel water bottles. There is a great product available, Klean Kanteen, which is stainless steel inside and out. It is non-leaching and you’ll immediately notice the improved taste of your water in the Klean Kanteen. It’s lightweight and attractive too! Client’s have requested I carry these bottles in my office because they are not easy to find. Visit the Recommended Products page, or call us to order them.

Fill your new Klean Kanteen water bottle with your own pure water filtered from your tap. The current water filter I’m recommending is the Aquasana. It is reasonably priced and highly rated, exceeding NSF standards, and is California certified. (California, by the way, has some of the strictest standards in the nation). They offer both countertop and under- counter models. Use your filtered water for all cooking, including making soups, tea, coffee, and for making ice cubes. Use your tap water only for cleaning the dishes. Aquasana also makes a shower filter, or you can save a little money and purchase both together with the Aquasana Deluxe Combo Pack. Remember, the skin is the largest organ, and cancer promoting chlorine and chlorine by-products are absorbed through our skin while showering. And, if only for vanity purposes, you’ll love the new shiny and soft look and feel of your hair after using the shower filter for a few days. Visit the Recommended Products page for the water and shower filters with direct links to the Amazon.com site for purchasing.

Am I drinking enough water? The foundation of good health starts with drinking water. The general recommendations for water consumption are 6-8 glasses (48-64 ounces) of pure, clean water a day. There is some controversy as to exactly how much water we should drink. Some say we should take half our body weight and drink that many ounces of water per day. For example, if you weigh 160 lbs, that means drinking 80 oz of water per day, or 10 glasses of water. There is, however, such a thing as drinking too much water. So start with 6-8 glasses and see how you feel.

What about timing?
It’s better to sip the water throughout the day rather than drinking large amounts at one time. If you consume large amounts of water at one time, most of it will pass through your system before you’re able to assimilate it.

How can I cut down my trips to the bathroom at night?
If drinking a healthy amount of water is wearing out the carpet between your bed and the bathroom, one simple solution is to finish consuming all your water and liquids before 6 PM. Also, it takes about 2-3 months of consistently drinking the healthy amount of water for your body to become efficient at assimilating it. So, this gets better over time.

Is ice cold water the most refreshing?
Perhaps for the taste buds but not for the body. Water is more easily absorbed and assimilated when it’s at room temperature. This is especially important at mealtime when very cold drinks can actually interfere with good digestion.

Does drinking water at meals facilitate digestion?
It’s fine to drink some water at meals, but too much at that time could dilute the digestive juices and actually interfere with digestion. Again, it’s best to sip water throughout the day, and drink only the amount at meals needed to facilitate chewing and swallowing.

Is it true that afternoon fatigue can be caused by not drinking enough water?
Yes. The single most common cause of afternoon fatigue in America is dehydration. The next time you feel tired and are reaching for sugar or caffeine, ask yourself how much water you drank today.

What part does proper water consumption play in weight-loss program?
As it turns out, a very large part. You simply cannot lose weight when your tissues are dehydrated. Also a dehydrated body is much more acidic, which means more toxic, which also interferes with weight loss.

What about the role of water in joint pain?
Try this. Give yourself a 2-week trial, drinking 8 glasses of water a day and then evaluate your joint pain. I’ll bet it gets better. Of course, an anti-inflammatory diet, exercise and a good supplement program will definitely be of benefit as well.