With widespread reports of dangerous toxins flowing out of our tap water — including pathogens, fluoride, chlorine and even pharmaceutical drugs — it’s not surprising that bottled water is the fastest growing segment of the beverage industry. But is it really the best choice when it comes to fulfilling your daily hydration needs?
Although there are pure, high-quality bottled waters available, deciphering the good guys from the bad can be tricky. Due to substandard and challenging government regulations, what it says on the label outside the bottle is not always what’s inside.
For example, a study done by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) found that an estimated 25% of bottled water tested is really just tap water in a bottle! Other sources claim as much as 40%. Check the label for the words “municipal source” on the ingredients label to know.
In another example, 500,000 liters of Coca-Cola’s Dasani brand water was recalled in Britain due to high levels of bromate, a carcinogenic chemical. Pathogens can also be a problem as the NDRC further reports that one-fifth of the bottled waters tested exceeded unenforceable state or industry bacteria guidelines.
Other concerns include: the 1.5 million tons of plastic used for bottling and the toxic chemicals released into the environment during this process; possible consumption of toxic chemicals leached from the plastic bottles; a tremendous amount of plastic added to landfills and the oceans; and a tremendous amount of resources expended in the overall production, packaging and transportation of bottled water products.
Fruit & Vitamin Waters
One of the growing trends in bottled water is fruit- and vitamin-enhanced waters. They sound like an easy way to pack in more nutrients, but in actuality don’t provide any true health benefits. The quality of these products is based on the quality of the water and the substances added.
Toxic artificial sweeteners such as sucralose and artificial colorings are frequently added to these kinds of water. Children especially should avoid artificial colorings as they have been linked to ADD/ADHD and other issues.
Recommended Drinking Water
For Daily Use…
All things considered, I recommend water filtered at the source either through a quality in-home filtration system. The next best choice is to fill your own water jugs at a water dispenser kiosk that uses a reverse osmosis filtration system. It’s the purest water you can get at the most economical price and is available at most grocery stores.
You can also purchase countertop water filters. Do your research before investing as there are a variety of choices and considerations to take into account. Be sure to look for those that take out as many contaminants as possible, including fluoride.
Purified or spring water delivered to your doorstep is also an option. Once again, be sure to research the quality of water available through water delivery companies in your area, as they can vary greatly.
For Super Hydration & Special Needs…
My favorite bottled water is Penta water. Special processing gives this water 16x faster hydration than regular water. Not surprisingly, it’s the preferred water for many Olympic athletes, is a must for those with kidney stones, those undergoing chemotherapy treatment (helps with hair loss), and more. It also comes in bottles made of safe plastic!
For a Refreshing Treat…
Instead of flavored waters that contain sweeteners or other questionable ingredients, I recommend Metromint water—my other favorite water. The original flavors, peppermint and spearmint, are great for digestion, hot summer days, and even menopausal hot flashes—and no harmful additives! Both Metromint and Penta water are available at most natural foods stores.