One of the common advice we all hear all the time is you should be drinking enough water. But this depends on the person and basically, staying well hydrated delivers an umpteen number of health benefits, including better metabolism, high energy levels and cognitive function to mention a few.
Water holds a key role in all our lives and is considered a vital factor for the survival and existence of life of all living beings. Well, this elixir of life comes in several types. But not all waters are created equal, while some are readily available, cheaper, or offer more nutrients than others. In fact, consuming too much of certain types of water can be harmful than beneficial to one’s health. Thus, to ensure the water you drink is of the highest quality, so that your body can have the health boost and vitality it needs for overall well-being. Here is the guide to different types of water and what one should know about their merits.
Also Read: Why We Need To Drink Plenty Of Water
Tap Water
This water is what you get directly from the valve, it may or may not be ideal for drinking purposes. Tap water is largely used for household chores such as cleaning, cooking, gardening, and washing clothes. However, tap water should meet the guidelines set by the local municipal bodies.
Mineral Water
Mineral water is laden with minerals naturally, as it is obtained from underground sources that make it abundant in minerals like calcium, magnesium, and manganese. The presence of minerals gives the water a characteristic salt-like taste. This type of water cannot be exposed to any treatment or no additional minerals can be added, except for minimal ones such as carbonation, iron or manganese removal, before being packed. The wealth of vital minerals renders it an immense value as one of the healthiest sources of drinking water. The key component of mineral water can vary from brand to brand, some may have more minerals while others have lesser.
Spring Water
Typically, spring water is bottled from the source, which would either be a spring or a glacier. It is rainwater that gets accumulated underground may leak out at the surface as a spring or puddle. Natural springs are not distributed through a community water system but are considered healthy for drinking as it comes from under the ground, but some spring water is unfiltered and contains toxins, which can lead to a host of health issues.
Well Water
Rainwater seeps and travels via the inner openings of the soil, beneath the ground to form underground lakes that get accumulated over a period. In rural places, one of the chief sources of water is deep wells, where water is dug out from underground. Deep wells directly spout groundwater and bring it to the surface from where people use this water for their daily needs.
Purified Water
Purified water is a type of water obtained from its source which has undergone purification treatment in a plant. The process of purifying ensures to clear off all pathogens, microbes, contaminants, and dissolved solids making it suitable for drinking and other uses. You can install a water purifier at home or get purified water from the stores.
Distilled Water
Distilled water or demineralized water is a kind of water that has been exposed to a treatment procedure that removes all its natural minerals and salt by the process of reverse osmosis and distillation. Though it is a pure form of water, it is not recommended for drinking purposes. As most of the natural minerals are isolated during the process, drinking distilled water can cause mineral deficiency. Additionally, consumption of this water may cause rapid depletion of sodium, potassium, chloride, and magnesium, thus it is not suitable for drinking.
Sparkling Water
They are referred to as carbonated water or soda water, sparkling water is instilled with carbon dioxide gas under pressure. This water renders a unique taste and feels to normal water, which could be a great alternative for something fizzy without added sugar or artificial sweeteners. Sparkling water may be spring, purified or even mineral water, upon addition of carbon dioxide ions becomes sparkling water.
Infused Water
Infused or flavoured water is water that has been instilled with the natural flavours of fruits or vegetables or artificial flavours and it’s sweetened with sugar or artificial sweeteners. It is a tasty alternative to plain water and makes it easier to drink larger amounts of water.
Also Read: Infused Water: 5 Refreshing Recipes To Enhance Overall Health And Well-being -Infographic
Additional Safe Potable Water Options
Alkaline Water
One of the popular water types, Alkaline water is known for its higher pH level and thus is one of the healthiest waters to consume. This water type can neutralize acid in the bloodstream. Alkaline water can also help reduce the risks of cancer and heart disease.
Black Water
Black water is power-packed with minerals such as magnesium, calcium, and potassium. Black water also contains fulvic acid which makes it stand out among other water types. This component can bind to toxins and heavy metals, thus helping the body to eliminate them efficiently. Black water is rare but safe to drink in limited quantities.
Soft Water
The surface water or chemically softened surface water called soft water is potable. It contains low concentrations of calcium and magnesium minerals and is high in sodium ions. Soft water tastes salty while drinking and is a safe option if the sources are not polluted, and the water is well treated.
Conclusion:
There’s no one type of water that assures greater health incentives than the others. It is essential to drink clean and safe, and the focus is to ensure that you stay well hydrated and drink enough water on a regular basis. Drinking 6-8 glasses of water supports uplifting overall physical and mental well-being.
References:
1.Daily ingestion of alkaline electrolyzed water containing hydrogen influences human health, including gastrointestinal symptoms
Yoshinori Tanaka, PhD,1* Yasuhiro Saihara Kyoko Izumotani, and Hajime Nakamura
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6352572/
