Best water to drink

[jbischke]

I'm wondering if there's much difference health-wise in the water that we drink. I've been drinking Arrowhead spring water typically but am wondering if drinking distilled water is better/worse. Also, I've heard some good things about the effects of "alkaline water" but haven't found a cheap way to alkalize. Any thoughts?

[escapee]

I'd advise against the use of distilled water for long term .

One of my uncle who drank distilled water died of cancer in young age .

My 16 years old cousin had ulcerlast year while drinking distilled water. I advised him how drinking distilled water for long term would cause mineral deficiency and acidity in body . After a week of drinking filtered tap water + mineral water. His ulcer was almost healed ( and now he is ulcer free ). Apparently, his doctor had no clue ...

Early Death Comes from Drinking Distilled Water

[Brutha]

If what I learned in Chemistry is true, drinking Destilled water is a bad idea.

[StarFish]

I drink Fiji, it's got a bunch of minerals in it, which is suppose to be healthy. Plus, it taste good.

http://www.fijiwater.com/

[jbischke]

OK great. Drinking distilled = bad. Good to know.

I love the taste of Fiji but it's a bit expensive to consume regularly and I'm not sure it's any healthier than regular water.

Any other suggestions or should I just stick with my Arrowhead spring water?

[JMan]

Aquafina is good.

There was another thread on here somewhere talking about 'energizing' your water before you drink it too...?

[Dan.Linehan]

I think Steve wrote about this here.

[jakeyang]

I've also heard Fiji water is good.

But isn't water just water?

[joey m]

You want to drink the purest water you can. Distilled, purified by reverse osmosis, or anything under about 16 parts per million dissolved solids are all great choices. It is more important though to try and not drink water that comes out of plastic, because particularly for the lower mineral content waters, it can leach some bad things out of the plastic into the water.

As far as distilled water leaching minerals, this is true to a very small extent. Provided you are eating a remotely healthy diet, this is not at all a concern. If ou wish to drink spring water, this is fine but I do not consider the minerals in them to be health promoting. It is basically just ground rock that you are getting.

People have tried to make such a big deal out of which water to drink, and most of it is just commercial hype.

Best,
Joey

[escapee]

You want to drink the purest water you can. Distilled, purified by reverse osmosis, or anything under about 16 parts per million dissolved solids are all great choices.

Based on my experience, observation and reading, drinking purified distilled water for long term is detrimental to one's health. There is no marketing hype involved but pure fact.

Distilled water - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The lack of naturally-occurring minerals in distilled water has raised some concerns. According to a 2005 World Health Organization study[1], consumption of demineralized water is associated with adverse health effects including reduced skeletal ossification, decreased levels of necessary bodily minerals, and increased morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease; an increased intake of toxic metals is also possible. The study also indicates that cooking in demineralized water "was found to cause substantial losses of all essential elements from food."

[joey m]

Most of what you have read is likely myth, not fact. If you could post more studies showing the "fact", I would like to see it. Please don't post Dr. Mercola, Weston Price or other junk science. Just real science please.

The WHO study you posted is interesting, but I could not view the actual study. Since Wikpedia is not always the most reliable source, it would be difficult for me to assess the quality of this study or the actual content of it.

As far as legit studies go, I really have not seen any. It is mostly internet myth that prevails.

Not that this is conclusive by any means, but here is Dr. Weil's stance on it:

http://www.aquaprix.com/archive/drw_cda.html

[openeyes]

Unless you're in a 3rd world nation with bad sanitation (or an area where it's heavy in minerals you don't want in your body, such as mercury or perhaps even fluoride), even tap water is likely fine, and generally much better for you than soft drinks. In areas where water pathogens may be an issue, tea is better. I mostly have water from the tap (occasionally use some type of filter, when available), green tea, and wine. If money were no object, or I had serious health issues, alkalized/ionized water may be worth experimenting with, but water really doesn't need to be that complicated.

[jbischke]

Great info guys. It definitely seems like the jury is out about distilled and given that I'll likely stick with spring water. It was great to hear that Arrowhead (which I drink) is non-flouridated. I've switched to a non-flouride toothpaste as well.

BTW, for the record I love this site. I love how people here are willing to put agendas aside (for the most part) and seek the truth.

In the words of Borat, "It's nice!"

[Angela]

Jon, you are a Learning Machine. You are driven. You are an unstoppable explorer of new knowledge. I love that about you!

[escapee]

Most of what you have read is likely myth, not fact. If you could post more studies showing the "fact", I would like to see it. Please don't post Dr. Mercola, Weston Price or other junk science. Just real science please.

No there are not myth, there are facts backed up by years of clinical experience ( Zoltan P. Rona MD MSc ) and of course thestudy conducted by WHO . Do we have a Chemist on board ?

Magnesium-Deficiency Catastrophe: The Magnesium Web Site ( More facts that Magnesium in drinking water is vital )
Amazon.com: The Magnesium Miracle: Books: Carolyn Md Nd Dean

Would you post at least one non-myth based study to suggest that distilled water is suitable for long term consumption ? I'm tired of posting articles and studies based on real science and opinion only to be accused of posting junk science by a biased brain.

[joey m]

You have not posted science Escapee. You have posted myth.

As I said earlier:

As far as legit studies go, I really have not seen any. It is mostly internet myth that prevails.

So, to answer your question, no I cannot post any good studies on this subject, because as far as I know, they don't exist. You are the one claiming that there is solid science here, so it is incumbant upon you to post it. You most certainly have not done so yet. Posting to stuff on Dr. Mercola's website is exactly what I asked you not to do because most of the stuff on his website is junk science at best. The article you posted is no exception.

As far as I can tell, the best we can do is surmise based on personal experience and the experience of practitioners. For every doctor you point to that says distilled water is bad, I can point to a doctor that says that distilled water is the best. At best, this is he said/she said, not science.

I would be interested in the WHO study, but again, that link does not get us to the actual study -- just the table of contents (as far as I can tell).

[escapee]

Myth or truth, I think the information presented here is good enough for the readers to make an informed decision.

Good luck with DI water and stay healthy.

[joey m]

Don't take this wrong, but the information you posted is very bad information.
This information is the exact sort of internet myth that people on these forums need to be very wary of.

It would be far more appropriate for you to claim that you have a strong opinion, and then state it as opinion. But to claim it as "pure fact" is really inappropriate -- unless of course you have real science you can post to support your position.

[escapee]

Joey, I believe those are facts backed by clinical experience,Studies and my personal experience that you chose to ignore. Good luck with your DI water . I would be glad to use my DI water on car battery. Not my body, my fish tank or dog . I 'm sorry that you think otherwise.

[joey m]

There are no studies in the link you provided on distilled water.

I am not ignoring what you said, I am simply pointing out that it is merely opinion. I have my own opinion and personal experience as well which is vastly different from yours. But, I am not holding my opinion out to be scientific dogma.

Please be more mindful in the future of the difference between stating your opinion and stating fact.

[shesaboutspirit]

Escapee...

Save your energy...

it's not worth wasting on this one.

This is "my opinion"

hmmm.

[VacMan]

Hey everyone!

Arrowhead does actually have fluoride in it!

Check it out!

Our sources | Know H2O | Arrowhead® Brand Mountain Spring Water

Looks kinda like the profile of tap water.

[shesaboutspirit]

Forgive my intrusion earlier. I realize now, that you two have a history of debating around here, so you must enjoy it.

I'm not used to this kind of relating so it feels offensive to me.

Looks like I'm the one who needs to save my energy

Now, back to the subject of water I believe...


blessings all,

Pam

[joey m]

Pam,

Nothing to forgive!

Best,
Joey

[escapee]

I deem those information as fact Joey. I'm regret that you think otherwise.

There are no studies in the link you provided on distilled water.

You have to read those info yourself carefully and "try hard" to relate the use of hard water to purified distilled water ( with ~ 0 mineral content in it). Please be very flexible with the way you interpret the information.

Summary

It should be noted, also, that the World Health Organization and the International Atomic Energy Agency consider that there is sufficient evidence for the involvement of trace elements in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases to warrant international collaborative studies on the problem (IAEA, 1973; WHO, 1973). The possible causal association between water hardness and cardiovascular disease has been recognized in Great Britain to be of enough potential public health importance to have resulted in official governmental expert review of the problem (MRC, 1970; COMA, 1974).

Exhibit B -- Drinking Water and Health

http://www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/epublic/...uild/g1274.pdf

[escapee]

The WHO report.

http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_...ientschap1.pdf

[joey m]

I understand that you view it as fact, but for it indeed to be a fact, it has to be established (through science) as a truth.

I disagree strongly with the notion that we should be getting our minerals from water to prevent things like cardiovascular disease. If you live in a third world country, or you live in a place like Great Britain and don't know the first thing about nutrition, then I can understand where getting trace minerals from anywhere, including water might be necessary. But if somebody is aware of nutrition and how to get trace minerals, as well as calcium and magnesium from food, this is by far a preferable option.

I would rather drink pure water and eat healthy foods that provide me with ample calcium, magnesium and other trace minerals. When these minerals come from food, they are more biologically active and have other beneficial properties (e.g. calcium from foods has phytoestrogens which help with assimilation).

The minimal amount of minerals found in hard water would only benefit those who are unable, unwilling or not sufficiently knowledgeable to get what they need from diet. I drink water for hydration, not mineral content. I eat for mineral content.

Best,
Joey

[escapee]

How confident are you to get all the necessary trace minerals from your DI water + a strict vegan diet ? 100% , 99% ? 90% ? Have you done a blood test to verify that your opinion to be closer to the truth as per shown by the studies and clinical experience ?

For me, i prefer a balance relationship with the trace minerals in both the solid and liquid food . That means DI water will only go into my car battery, not my fish tank, not my body or not my dog like i mentioned earlier.

I can only wish you good luck with your choice on DI water . There is always U turn when thing doesnt work out.

Be a savvy vegetarian

From a vegetarian expert well versed on nutrition

An economical alternative is to add trace mineral drops to your distilled or RO water for drinking and cooking. I recommend two brands. The most abundant mineral in both of these naturally occuring sources is --- magnesium!

The ideal solution is a permanent source of mineralized clean water at home (your own spring in the backyard would be nice!), avoiding bottled water. However you do it, I think it's better to get the minerals in your water than not. We've noticed a distinct general improvement in well being since starting to use trace mineral drops.

[joey m]

I am 100% certain of my trace minerals because I take a nutritional supplement that provides me with all of them. Do you honestly believe that vegans get less trace minerals than meat-eaters? If so, this is one more area where you are misinformed.

Since we are going in circles, there is no point to continue this conversation. I wish you would spend the time to read legitimate studies and find legitimate scientific support for your positions.

Best,
Joey

[bart]

Righto, at the risk of being a bumper, I searched forums because I want to drink healthy water and stumbled upon this article. For anyone who has not read it, and mostly Steve's post on fluoride, you probably should.

I should have anyway, thanks Steve for collecting this information and make a great blog post about it !

Now I need to find fluoride free tooth paste in The Netherlands, anyone has tips ?