You aren’t alone in your quest for the healthiest water to drink. Indeed, from all over the world, millions of people are constantly searching the interweb to seek answers to water-related questions. For instance, traffic data from India shows that searches on “water pollution”, “save water” and “sources of water” increase every year and constantly holds above the 1 million mark.
Even more interesting are those seeking answers to strange questions like:
- Can you take water from the bathroom tap?
- How do you boil water?
- How safe is it to drink water from the hot tap?
- How do you drink water upside down?
- Is tap water toxic?
- How does ocean water taste?
- Which country has the best tap water in the world?
It is all in a bid to stay hydrated in the healthiest and safest way possible. Pollution concerns around the world have especially made people more conscious of what they drink. And that’s why we compiled this list of the healthiest water to drink.
But first a disclaimer: Each has its pros and cons – strike the best balance you can and you’ll be good.
1. Tap Water
Municipalities treat water sourced from rivers, lakes, and reservoirs and distribute it to homes, businesses, and institutions.
Advantages
- In areas where water treatment is thorough and quality standards are strictly adhered to, tap water is very safe to drink
- Tap water is relatively inexpensive
Disadvantages
- Water treatment plants constantly fail to meet the required water quality standards
- Degraded distribution networks lead to re-contamination of water before it reaches your home
2. Spring water
Some water bottlers source water directly from springs or even melting glaciers.
Advantages
- Usually toxic free if the springs are tucked far away from human interference
- Contains a variety of beneficial minerals which boost your health
Disadvantages
- Can prove very costly if that’s all you drink
- If not tested, you are never sure what heavy metals such water contains
- With dubious manufacturers in the market, anyone can easily claim they source their water from a spring, only to realize they get right from the tap – and bottle it without the least form of treatment
3. Mineral water
This is obtained from sources known to be rich in minerals such as calcium, fluoride, magnesium, sodium, copper, iron, zinc, potassium, and bicarbonate.
Advantages
- Calcium strengthens your bones and teeth
- Magnesium prevents cardiovascular diseases
- Fluoride prevents dental caries
- Sodium helps regulate blood pressure
- Copper gives bones good strength and boosts immunity
- Iron carries oxygen around the body through the bloodstream
- Zinc is important in DNA synthesis
Disadvantages
- Purchasing bottled water daily drains your wallet
4. Soda water
You probably detest water simply because it is flat. If so, soda water is your best option. CO2 gas is added to the water to make it fizzy.
Advantages
- The fizzy nature encourages you to drink more
- You can choose from a variety of flavors
Disadvantages
- Brands with added sugars and citric acid may cause tooth decay
- May lead to bloating and gassy stomach
- May make you feel hungry and lead you to eat more
5. Well water
Simply dig a hole into the ground until you strike water. Leave the dirt to settle and you are free to go.
Advantages
- May prove to be the cheapest source of water if the water table is high enough
- May be filled with beneficial nutrients depending on the makeup of the bedrock in that area
Disadvantages
- Unless you test it, you may never know the actual chemical composition of the well water
- Contamination is common, especially where the well is dug near homes
6. Distilled water
Distillation involves boiling water to evaporation and condensing the steam through cooling. Most contaminants remain in the boiling container.
Advantages
- Free of toxins and pathogenic microorganisms
Disadvantages
- Distilled water is dead water – no nutrients, no minerals – you better leave it for other uses
- Lack of minerals makes it flat
- You may experience tiredness, body weakness, heart diseases, and muscle cramps
7. RO water
Reverse osmosis water is unique in that a semipermeable membrane is used to get rid of a large percentage of toxins, heavy metals, and microorganisms. What remains closely resembles distilled water. RO water filters with re-mineralization cartridges add back some of the lost nutrients
Advantages
- Usually free of all common water contaminants
- Cheaper alternative to distillation and boiling
Disadvantages
- No minerals in water
- Water is tasteless
8. Flavored water
Dip a piece of fruit into a glass of tap water or your favorite bottled water brand and there you go. Or else you can purchase flavored bottled water.
Advantages
- Like fizzy water, the added flavor entices you to drink the more, and this is very healthy
Disadvantages
- On top of fruit flavors, some brands add artificial sweeteners, which means more calories into your system with every sip.
So, what is the healthiest water to drink?
Confusing? Probably that’s what it feels by now. What if we list the top three healthiest options? That does the magic. Narrow down to the following and you’ll see you’ll lead a healthy life:
i) Reverse osmosis water that has undergone re-mineralization
ii) Spring water, mineral water – if you have the money
iii) Tap water – if water treatment standards in your locality are high