An Overview Of What We Have Learned
Water is second only to oxygen in importance. Our body is approxiamately 65 - 75% water and every cell requires water to perform its essential functions. Water maintains our system's equilibrium, it lubricates, flushes waste and toxins, hydrates the skin, regulates body temperature, acts as a shock absorber for our joints, bones, and muscles, adds needed minerals, and transports nutrients, minerals, vitamins, proteins, and sugars for assimilation throughout our body. Water cleanses the body inside and out!
When our body gets enough water, it works at its peek level. Fluid and sodium retention decrease significantly, gland and hormone functions improve, the liver is able to break down and release more of the fat within our body, and hunger is curtailed. However, to maintain this wonderful internal environment working inside of our body, we must drink water every day and plenty of it - approximately 6 to 8 glasses to replace the lost electrolytes and metabolic waste fluid.
Water is unique! However, it is unfortunate that most of our tap water today is chlorinated, fluoridated, and treated to the point where it can be a danger to our health instead of a valuable benefit. Regular city tap water may very well contain as many as 500 different disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Many toxic heavy metals and chemicals used by industry and agriculture have been found in ground water, adding even more pollutants. Increased concern about this lack of clean, safe, and healthy water is leading more people to drink bottled water. If you are concerned about your health and the safety of your water supply, there are several types of bottled water available worthy of consideration.
Only a small percentage of the population once used bottled water on a regular basis, however, it is now fast becoming part of the normal routine for many people throughout the world today. Everyone, not just atheletes, are rediscovering the importance of drinking water for their health - especially mineral waters, as fluid and electrolyte replacement. Other factors besides the deteriorating quality of water, account for the increased demand for bottled water. Water is free of calories, sugar, preservatives, and artificial colors. It is the perfect alternative to alcohol, caffeine, and soft drink consumption.
When choosing bottled water there are many things to consider - some that you may not have even thought of - which include mineral content and pH levels. The presence of "total dissolved solids" (TDS), determine mineral content. Total dissolved solids is what remains after all water is boiled off from a water sample. Results are often listed on the bottle and reported in "parts per million" (ppm.) Our personal preferences will vary depending upon the amount of minerals we believe to be beneficial.
