What is really in the water you drink?

By David Hoyt
NH Mirror Contributor

Water is the primary transporter of nutrients throughout the body and is involved in nearly every function. Having 6 to 8 glasses a day is good, right? I can’t recommend it enough. But what are you really drinking?

Water is usually classified by its source, mineral content or system of treatment. There’s a lot of overlap used in the criteria; therefore, water can appear in more classifications than one. On top of this, most states do not have any laws governing accuracy and truth in labeling. Here is some information about the different types of water you may be drinking.

Filtered Water
This water is made pure, clean, uncontaminated and better tasting. It can be distilled or sent through an activated carbon process or reverse osmosis. This type of water can come from any source and to date there is no filter that can prevent bacteria or viruses from passing through.

Mineral Water
This water is natural spring water. Laws in Canada and Europe mandate this water flow freely from the source. It cannot be pumped or forced from the ground and must be bottled directly at the source. Be aware that mineral contents vary, so if you’re drinking it for therapeutic reasons know which minerals you are taking in. If you do not lack minerals and are consuming large amounts, you may be doing more harm than good. An occasional bottle is fine.

Natural Spring Water
This means the mineral content has not been altered, but it may or may not have gone through a filtering process. This water can also be treated. Carbonation or flavor can also be added.

Deionized or Demineralized Water
When the electrical charge of an atom or molecule has been neutralized by removing or adding electrons, the resulting water is called deionized or demineralized. The deionizing process removes nitrates along with calcium and magnesium. Metals are also removed: cadmium, barium, lead and some forms of radium.

Hard Water
This water contains calcium and magnesium. This is what prevents soap from lathering. It also creates a sediment film on hair, clothes, pipes, etc. Epidemiological studies show that death from heart disease is lower in areas where the drinking water is hard.

Soft Water
This type of water does not contain calcium and magnesium. Therefore, soap suds are easily formed when used. Epidemiological studies indicate death from heart disease is opposite that of hard water.

Tap Water
This is obtained from surface water, including run-offs from ponds, creeks, streams, rivers and lakes. Rainwater washes pollutants into these bodies of water. That means you are drinking residues from fertilizer, insecticides, lead, gas, factory exhausts, etc. Not only that, but in order for you to be able to drink tap water, things are added to mask the taste. Things such as alum, carbon, chlorine, fluorine, lime, phosphates, soda ash and sodium aluminates. Some tap water is better than others.

In addition, tap water can be improved in many ways. You can boil it to kill the bacteria. Putting it in an open container for several hours will remove the chlorine taste and odor.

Steamed distilled water is best for your health. It’s clean, and it’s pure.

David Hoyt is a certified personal trainer with a master’s degree in holistic nutrition and co-founder of Northwood Naturals. He can be reached at www.northwoodnatural.com.