We are frequently asked this question, and we know it can be confusing. Well, let us take you through the options one step at a time and you may then decide for yourself what type of water you feel is the best for you. There are many sources of information (some would say too many) to get your information from and each one may give you a different perspective, a different set of claims for a product. We have been inundated with correspondence and enquiries about which type of water is or should be the preferred water to drink, and why one might be better than another might. Let us look at some of the claims made for these treated water supplies and more importantly how water affects your body.
Water filter units:
Promoters of water filters usually tell us that all the chemicals in the tap water are bad for us and that most water filters will take away the chemicals, leaving the water clean and pure to drink.
Water Distillers:
Promoters of water distillers say the best water is distilled water because it takes everything out of the water and leaving the purest form of water for your body.
Spring and Spa Waters:
Some spring or spa water promoters say that drinking distilled water is bad for you because there are no minerals in the water and your body needs minerals. They claim that spring water has all the minerals that the body needs.Firstly we must recognize that water sustains all forms of life. In fact, as humans our bodies are 70-80% water. All body fluids are water based.
Water has three basic functions to perform in our bodies: to transport nutrients to our cells, to carry away toxic wastes from the cells, and to regulate our body temperature through hydration.
Water filters have a place for those who just want to remove unpleasant taste and the chlorine added at the treatment plant. Some more expensive filters will also remove bacteria and a proportion of metals and other impurities. A percentage of each is usually still present. Filters must be replaced regularly to give the offered protection.
The promoters of spring waters say that minerals are good for your body. Yes, but they need to be a bit more specific because there is a lot of difference between organic and inorganic minerals. Both types have the names such as calcium, zinc, copper etc., but the organic minerals are the only ones that our body can use. Some water in this category is acidic.
Only one kingdom can convert the inorganic to the organic, and that is the plant kingdom. Plants absorb the inorganic minerals and through the miracles of photosynthesis convert the inorganic minerals to organic minerals. One would normally find that more than 95% of the minerals in bottled spring water [and in tap water] are inorganic minerals, meaning our body cannot utilize them. Depending on where the inorganic minerals end up in your body, they can be detrimental to good health. In our kidneys such minerals may form kidney stones. If they roll up in the gall bladder they may form gallstones, and if accumulating in our joints they can be the main culprits of arthritis. One Dr. Zoltan Rona wrote an article in which he wants you to believe that because distilled water is so pure; drinking it will leach minerals from your body, thereby robbing you of good health and nutrition.
There is no basis of fact to document this claim. One of the best-selling health and diet book, by Harvey & Marilyn Diamond, answers this question perfectly and I quote.
“Distilled water has an inherent quality. Acting almost like a magnet, it picks up rejected, discarded, and unusable minerals and, assisted by the blood and the lymph, carries them to the lungs and kidneys for elimination from the body. The statement that distilled water leaches minerals from the body has no basis in fact. It doesn’t leach out minerals that have become part of the cell structure. It can’t and won’t. It collects only minerals that have already been rejected or excreted by the cells…To suggest that distilled water takes up minerals from foods so that the body derives no benefit from them is absurd.”
“Your question as to whether distilled water leaches minerals out of the body reflects another persistent myth. While pure water helps to remove minerals from the body that cells have eliminated or not used, it does not “leach” out minerals that have become part of your body’s cell structure. Neither does distilled water cause your teeth to deteriorate, a false claim made by a filter manufacturer looking to boost sales. As far as acidity goes, distilled water is close to a neutral pH and has no effect on the body’s acid/base balance. I hope I’ve set your mind at ease. Distilled water not only isn’t dangerous, it’s the purest form of water. It’s also the kind of water I drink.”
By Dr. Andrew Weil who is the author of eight books.
He is a clinical professor of internal medicine as well as the founder and director of the ‘Program in Integrative Medicine’ at the University of Arizona ‘s Health Sciences Center in Tucson , where he is training a new generation of physicians.
“The expression that distilled water leaches minerals from the body is entirely inaccurate. It does not leach out body minerals, it collects and removes minerals which have been rejected by the cells of the body and are therefore nothing more nor less than debris, obstructing the normal functions of the system.”
by Dr. John R. Christopher
“Helps cleanse my body of waste materials. Within the body, water acting as a solvent, reaches into every cell to absorb and carry away the poisons that are formed as a part of the life process. Lots of pure water is needed for this task. We all know that it is easier to wash dishes in a sink full of clean water than in a cup full of dirty water. The blood circulates 400 gallons of water through the kidneys each day. Common sense tells us that when the water we consume is pure, it can do a much better job than when it is already contaminated with toxic substances.”
by Dr. Clifford C. Dennison, Ed. D.
“If you decide on bottled water, make sure it’s distilled, (however), in the long run you’ll save money if you clean your water at home.”
Maximum Health
Dr. Robert D. Willix, Jr., M.D.
“Distilled water is the only water which is pure – the only water free from all impurities.”
The Choice Is Clear
Dr. Allen E. Banik
“Even tap water invariably contains a variety of poisons such as chlorine, chloramines, asbestos, pesticides, fluoride, copper, mercury, and lead. The best way to remove all these contaminants is by distilling.”
How to Save Your Teeth: Toxic-Free Preventive Dentistry
Dr. David Kennedy, D.D.S.
“The home distiller is the best method and also the best way to get distilled water. It is the only reliable home water purification for taking fluoride out of the water.”
Fluoride: The Aging Factor
Dr. John Yiamoyuiannis, Ph.D.
“We believe that only steam-distilled water should be consumed.”
Prescription for Nutritional Healing
James F. Balch, MD. & Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.
“The only type of water that seems to be fit for consumption is distilled water?Distillation is the single most effective method of water purification.”
A Diabetic Doctor Looks at Diabetes
Peter A. Lodewick, M.D.
“Distilled water is the world’s best and purest water!”
Water – The Shocking Truth
Dr. Paul C. Bragg & Dr. Patricia Bragg
“Far and away the cleanest water is produced by the new home distillers.”
Optimum Sports Nutrition
Dr. Michael Colgan, Ph.D., CCN
“Since we started using distilled water, our athletes have been drinking more. We can only attribute that to the fresh, clean taste”
Dave Ellis
Director of Performance Nutrition at the University of Nebraska Athletic Department
Does that mean that distilled water is the best water for drinking?
To a great extent: yes, if you are healthy and that is all that you need – pure water with the three functions of water as defined above: bringing in nutrients to the cells, taking out waste toxins and regulating our body temperature.
However, since more than 90% of the adult population is eating unhealthy foods regularly and failing to maintain a routine healthy exercise regime, we need to be a bit more vigilant in safeguarding our health.
Next to breathing air water is the most important factor to keep us alive, so perhaps we ought to look into ways of improving our health, or at least slow down our health dilapidation as much as possible through the use of an ideal type of water.