Are you drinking the right water?
Drinking enough water is an important part of keeping healthy. But how much thought do you give to where your water comes from and what it contains?
Unfortunately, not all water is created equal, which is why you need to be aware of what you are drinking.
Water, like our food, should be consumed in the most natural state possible. Ideally, our water should come from a pure mountain spring. But for most of us, there are three main types of water available for consumption:
- Tap water
- Bottled water
- Filtered water
Tap Water
It’s cheap, convenient and good for the environment, but tap water contains a host of chemicals and pollutants that increase your risk of serious health problems.
Australian tap water has been found to contain chemicals like aluminium, chlorine, fluoride and nitrate, as well as heavy metals, disinfection byproducts, sediment and pesticides. You can read more about the adverse health effects these chemicals have here.
Bottled Water
Bottled water seems like the better option, as it is free from all the harmful chemicals listed above… right? Unfortunately not. Around 40 per cent of bottled water is just rebottled tap water. Sometimes it has been filtered, sometimes not.
Drinking bottled water also puts you at risk of ingesting BPA (Biphenol A) – a synthetic hormone disrupter that is used in the production of plastic water bottles. BPA has been linked to serious health conditions like learning difficulties, prostate and breast cancer, altered immune system function, early puberty and an increased risk of obesity.
Aside from all the health impacts, bottled water has had a devastating impact on our environment and we should all do our bit to reduce the amount of plastic bottles we throw away.
Filtered Water
Finally we come to filtered water – the most healthy, economical and environmentally sound choice. We’re constantly talking healthy ‘clean’ food, so you should place just as much importance on healthy water.
The health benefits of drinking pure water include healthy skin, maintaining healthy body weight, better digestion, decreased inflammation and much more.
Ideally, you want a filtration system that offers a variety of methods to remove different contaminants.
There are three types of water filters you can choose from depending on your needs and your budget:
- Reverse Osmosis
- Ion Exchange
- Granular or Carbon Block
Reverse Osmosis Filter
Removes chlorine, inorganic and organic contaminants, as well as about 80 per cent of the fluoride added to water. Its only disadvantage is the expense to install in your home.
Ion Exchange Filter
Removes dissolved salts in the water, such as calcium, and exchanges natural-forming mineral ions in the water with its own ions, thereby neutralizing their harmful effect of creating scale build-up.
Granular Carbon and Carbon Block Filters
The most common type of water filter, which works by absorbing contaminants into the filter.
We recommend:
As a low cost starting point, carbon block filters like the Brita brand are fine.
But if you are looking for a long-term solution, we recommend the Alps Water Filters as a reasonably priced way to provide your family with safe, healthy water. If you want to learn more about Alps Water Filters, come into our practice at Hamilton for a taste test and see how it works. We have the 12L water filters in the centre for a discounted price far below the retail price.
If you have any more questions, you can call us to book a FREE 15 minute chat with one of our Naturopaths to see how we can help you. Call now on (02) 4961 4075.
Yours in health
Peter Mullen
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