Which water is better to drink: choose the healthiest one

Our body is 70-80% water. Its amount depends on various factors, including the age of the person. For example, the body of a newborn child contains 80-85% water, and the body of an old man contains about 55%.

Which water is healthier - raw or boiled? Scientists' opinions on this matter are divided. We will help you figure out what kind of water you should drink.

Which water is better to drink: raw or boiled?

Among the main advantages inherent in raw water, it should be noted that it contains many different microelements necessary for the normal functioning of the human body. Their concentration in such a liquid is close to optimal values. In this regard, we can talk about the maximum positive effect of raw water on the metabolic processes occurring in the human body.

It should be clarified that in this case raw water means not only ordinary tap water, but also mineral, spring water, etc. That is, we are talking about any liquid that has not been boiled before use.

In addition, raw water molecules have a special structure that allows the body’s cells to regenerate faster and more efficiently. Such a liquid, interacting with the internal organs of a person, does not lead to the formation of so-called free radicals in them, the high content of which in the blood can cause serious diseases of the cardiovascular system, as well as premature aging of the body.

The benefits and harms of boiled water for pregnant women

Pregnant women need to be doubly attentive to the quality of the water they drink, because not only the woman’s health, but also the condition of the child she is carrying depends on it. Fluid is of paramount importance for the fetus. The benefit of water is that it ensures blood flow, maintains the volume of amniotic fluid at the proper level, and ensures normal blood circulation in the tissues of the mother’s body.

Boiled water obtained from the tap is contraindicated for pregnant women, since it contains compounds dangerous to the child and does nothing but harm to both organisms. Therefore, the best option would be to use bottled purified water enriched with oxygen. Such water will benefit both mother and baby: it is perfectly absorbed by the female body, contributing to the birth of a healthy child.

What are the benefits and dangers of boiled water?

Boiling water has the sole purpose of disinfecting it. High temperatures are destructive to germs and bacteria, and therefore it is believed that such a liquid is absolutely safe for health. In addition, under the influence of high temperatures, chlorine and its derivatives, which also pose a danger to humans, are destroyed.

Among the advantages of boiling is the improvement in the taste characteristics of water. This is facilitated by the destruction of a number of elements present in its composition. Due to this, the liquid becomes softer and more pleasant to the taste. You've probably noticed this by using boiled water to prepare traditional hot drinks such as tea, coffee or jelly.

Meanwhile, experts say that the negative consequences of boiling negate its positive effect. For example, heat treatment changes the structure of liquid molecules, and therefore it will not have any therapeutic effect. Regular consumption of such water washes out the minerals and trace elements it needs from the body, which negatively affects metabolic processes.

In addition, when boiling water, the content of harmful salts increases. High temperature activates the interaction of chemical compounds contained in the liquid, as a result of which their stable compounds are formed, which have a negative effect on the human body. For example, trihalomethanes - extremely dangerous substances - are formed when free chlorine present in water is heated. The kidneys and joints are most susceptible to the harmful effects of boiled liquid, salt deposits in which lead to loss of mobility.

Today, experts believe that boiling does not fully contribute to the disinfection of water. Complete destruction of pathogenic microflora occurs after heat treatment lasting at least 20 minutes. We boil the liquid for 3 to 5 minutes. This time is not enough for the most dangerous microorganisms to die.

Therefore, when talking about what kind of water is best to drink, it is worth listening to experts who are inclined to believe that raw liquid is more beneficial. Its main disadvantage is pathogenic microorganisms, which can be dealt with using special filters.

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The benefits and harms of boiled water for the body

Harm

Many people mistakenly believe that repeated boiling completely disinfects water, destroying all harmful microbes. Experts have convincingly proven that complete disinfection does not occur when boiling; the water only becomes slightly softer. But repeatedly boiling water and drinking it means causing harm to the body.

The following facts can be cited in favor of the fact that harm is caused to the body:

Boiling is unable to completely destroy nitrates, pesticides, petroleum products, phenol and heavy metals. Needless to say that these substances only bring harm to any living organism?
When water boils, a chemical reaction occurs that breaks down chlorine-containing elements. These elements precipitate, and as a result of their interaction with other elements, carcinogens (dioxins and trihalomethanes) are formed. Carcinogens are much more dangerous than pure chlorine, as they provoke cancer. A small amount of dioxins in the body is enough for genetic changes to occur at the cellular level, causing irreparable harm to the body.
When water is periodically boiled in a metal kettle, scale forms on its inner walls. When combined with boiled water, this scale enters the human body. It causes direct harm to the body, since scale particles accumulate in the body over time and cause various types of chronic diseases, and sometimes cause heart attacks.
The hepatitis A virus and the causative agent of botulism are relatively resistant to boiling; to completely destroy them, water must be boiled for at least 15 minutes. Modern kettles have an automatic shutdown function as soon as the water temperature reaches 100 degrees. Obviously, there is no benefit in such boiling for disinfection.

It is especially dangerous to add raw water to boiled water and boil it again. Ignorant people do not attach any importance to this, although they do not see any particular benefit in it. By consuming such water, they risk their health and even life, causing harm to the body. Hydrogen isotopes contained in the primary boiled water react with particles of added raw water and form deuterium, a dangerous element that accumulates in the body.

The following dependence can be traced: the more often water is subjected to heat treatment, the more harm it causes to the body when consumed. In other words, the benefits of such water for humans are rapidly decreasing, while its harm is increasing. Already after double boiling, the water cannot be considered drinking. Firstly, the taste of water changes for the worse - metallic shades appear in its taste. Secondly, and this is most important, drinking such water interferes with normal tissue renewal and also negatively affects internal organs.

Repeatedly boiled water changes its natural chemical formula each time. Oxygen evaporates, and heavy metal salts take its place, showing their presence in the form of scale on the kettle. It is not for nothing that this liquid has long been called dead water, causing more harm than benefit.

Despite the balance of benefit and harm, the toxicity of boiled water is insignificant, provided that its use is limited. If you periodically drink such water, salts will accumulate in the body, which are then quite difficult to remove.

But no matter how harmful boiled water is to people, it also has beneficial properties.

Benefit

Boiled water can rid the body of toxins, and this is its main benefit. In addition, a person’s consumption of boiled water promotes the absorption of food and helps in removing waste from the body.

Boiling tap and natural water makes it softer and rids the water of pathogenic bacteria (especially spring water). However, it must be remembered that in order to completely disinfect water, it needs to be boiled for a long time; this is when the benefits of thermal disinfection will be obvious.

And yet, before drinking boiled water, the benefits and harms of which have been clearly established, carefully monitor its daily dosage.

Which water is better for drinking: cold or warm?

For several thousand years, followers of traditional Chinese medicine have been talking about the dangers of drinking cold water, due to the fact that it has a compressive effect and slows down metabolic processes. But warm liquid has a beneficial effect on internal organs and promotes better blood circulation.

The same reasons explain the need to drink warm liquid and Ayurveda (traditional system of Indian medicine). As for modern medicine, it confirms the validity of numerous medical claims of antiquity. At the same time, the lifestyle of people living today has undergone significant changes, and therefore doctors have not come to a consensus on the best temperature of water to drink.

Drinking warm water has many benefits:

It has a beneficial effect on digestion. Most people prefer warm drinks such as coffee or tea in the morning. And it's not just the caffeine they contain. Ayurveda claims that it is warm liquid that stimulates the digestion process. At the same time, a glass of warm water has much greater benefits for the body than a cup of coffee.
Promotes detox. The best cleansing of the body from harmful substances can be achieved by drinking a sufficient amount of warm water. By adding lemon juice to liquid at room temperature, you will start the digestion process and help remove toxins from your internal organs. In addition to lemon, you can use fresh mint leaves and thinly sliced cucumber rings, ginger and cinnamon for these purposes.
Warm water can help relieve pain. For headaches or various inflammatory processes, it is worth using warm moisture, as it causes blood flow to the tissues. Also, liquid at room temperature relieves menstrual pain.
Warm water is an excellent way to combat constipation. In most cases, the cause of their occurrence is a lack of fluid. To replenish it, it is better to drink warm moisture, which has a calming effect on the intestines.
Warm water also causes an expectorant effect, so it should be consumed in case of nasal congestion or cough.

Before deciding which water is best to drink, it is worth learning about the benefits that cold water :

It is the optimal drink after sports training. This is due to the fact that intense physical activity increases body temperature, and cold (not ice) water helps reduce it.
What water is best to drink in hot weather? You can come to your senses after a heatstroke or just a walk on a hot day by drinking a glass of fresh cold liquid, which will lower your body temperature, which has risen under the influence of hot air.

So, which water is better to drink: warm or cold? In most cases, it is the warm liquid that is beneficial. However, do not forget about such an important factor as air temperature. If we are talking about a hot day, relaxing on the beach, a long stay under the scorching sun, or sports training, then you should give preference to cold water. Your choice is influenced by specific circumstances.

If we talk about water consumed on an empty stomach, before and after meals, then you should prefer drinks at room temperature; in all other cases, it is better to listen to your own body, it will tell you which liquid will be the best choice in a particular situation.

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The benefits and harms of boiled water for weight loss

To start your metabolism, just drink a glass of boiled water in the morning on an empty stomach. Warm boiled water in the morning will not cause significant harm, but it will cleanse the internal walls of the stomach and intestines and prepare the excretory system for work.

Drinking boiled water is beneficial for weight loss, and to give the water a pleasant taste, you can add a little lemon juice to it. This neutralizes the specific unpleasant taste of boiled water.

To achieve maximum benefits, it is better to take boiled water before meals every 30 minutes and two hours after it. In total, there should be at least eight such receptions per day, which will be about two liters. By combining this regimen with proper nutrition and exercise, you will see that excess weight will quickly begin to disappear and your body will be recharged with energy. Otherwise, both the benefits and harms of boiled water on an empty stomach are similar to the examples discussed earlier. It is important to reduce the harm to zero.

Which water is better to drink: carbonated or still?

The difference between sparkling water and regular water is its saturation with carbon dioxide (CO2) , which is highly soluble in water. It does not pose a threat to the human body; moreover, it helps to increase the shelf life of water; on the label it is designated as E29.

When thinking about what kind of water is best to drink, keep in mind that sparkling water has the following benefits:

Helps to refresh and quench your thirst.
Recommended for people with low acidity, as it helps increase the secretion of gastric juice.
Due to the gas contained in such a liquid, various useful microelements are preserved, while the development of pathogenic microorganisms in it is prevented.

However, sparkling water also has certain disadvantages:

Due to the small bubbles present in the liquid, gastric secretion is stimulated, which in turn leads to increased acidity and bloating.
This water stimulates appetite, and therefore is not recommended for people who are overweight.
Carbonated liquid is contraindicated for pregnant women due to its negative effects on the intestines.

Thus, when discussing which water is better to drink - carbonated or not, we note that the first is contraindicated for people with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (for example, ulcers, gastritis, colitis, high acidity). However, in the absence of problems with the gastrointestinal tract, drinking carbonated water (not daily and in small quantities) will not cause harm to the body.

The same applies to the question of the benefits of mineral water. It also contains carbon dioxide, which has an irritating effect on the gastrointestinal tract. You can get rid of excess bubbles by shaking the bottle properly and releasing the gas.

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Is it possible to drink tap water?

What water is easiest and cheapest to drink? From the tap, of course. In most cases, we also use it for cooking.

If you drink this water, you will not get poisoned. But it can hardly be said that it is good for health.

Today in Russia water is disinfected using chlorine. What danger does he pose? The fact is that this halogen is a toxic substance. And when water is treated with chlorine, disinfection byproducts (DBPs) are created. These are strong carcinogens that disrupt the functioning of the nervous system, kidneys and liver.

What harmful substances, besides those listed above, may tap water contain?

herbicides and pesticides;
arsenic (carcinogen);
substances that mimic the hormone estrogen;
aluminum (increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and especially liver pathology);
heavy metals.

Of course, this is not a complete list of all hazardous substances that can contaminate tap water. Different regions have different water supply systems. Therefore, it is impossible to say for sure what kind of water you are using.

What is the healthiest water to drink?

It’s not so easy to say which liquid is the most useful, because there are a huge number of options. Let’s take a closer look at what kind of still water is best to drink.

Tap

The water entering our homes is processed at special water treatment plants so that it meets sanitary standards. However, tap liquid cannot be called the best choice. If there are no other options, before drinking it, follow these recommendations:

Boil the water.
Filter it.
Set aside for two hours, then drink only the top portion of the settled liquid. But this method still will not protect you from the pathogenic microflora and toxins .

Bottled

Speaking about what kind of water is best to drink, it is worth noting bottled liquid, which is raw, industrially purified water that is safe for health. It is bottled in volumes of 5, 10, 19 liters, etc. There is a division of such liquid into categories - first and highest.

The first includes tap water from surface reservoirs that has undergone deep purification.

Water of the highest category is taken from artesian wells, purified using gentle methods and disinfected with ultraviolet light.

When choosing which bottled water is best to drink, proceed from the following criteria:

give preference to manufacturing companies that have been operating on the market for a long time;
pay attention to the quality of packaging and labels; conscientious companies will not skimp on them;
you can also refer to reviews, taking them into account, making your own rating of the best bottled drinking water;
In addition, you can conduct a laboratory analysis of the safety and quality of bottled water, which will show how high quality the product is.

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Rodnikovaya

When discussing what kind of water is best to drink, one cannot ignore spring liquid, which is purified by passing through several soil layers. In most cases, it does not contain harmful impurities, but is enriched with minerals present in the soil.

If you decide to make a choice in favor of spring water, keep in mind that springs located near large cities, highways, and industrial enterprises will not meet the criteria of cleanliness and safety.

However, there are a large number of similar sources, in great demand or little known, the purity of which corresponds to the parameters of water belonging to the highest category. A number of such springs have appropriate quality certificates, but access to them is limited.

Spring water is also bottled and sold. However, you may encounter situations where unscrupulous manufacturers offer customers not spring liquid, but regular liquid.

If you collect spring water yourself, make sure the container for it is clean. It is also worth taking samples of the liquid from time to time for testing in a laboratory to confirm its quality.

Mineral

It is also worth paying attention to mineral water extracted from natural sources, containing salts, minerals and trace elements present in the deep layers of the soil. Mineralization of the liquid is achieved when it passes through the soil layers. In accordance with the concentration of salts, such water is divided into three groups:

medicinal, the mineralization of which is over 8 g/l;
medicinal table, with salt content from 1 to 8 g/l;
a dining room in which the concentration of microelements does not exceed 1 g/l.

You can figure out which mineral water is best to drink by familiarizing yourself with each of its varieties in more detail.

Dining room.

It can be used without any restrictions, since it does not affect the body. If we talk about what kind of water is best to drink in case of poisoning, intoxication, acute intestinal infections, then mineral table water will be the best choice.

At the same time, it is not recommended to drink only such liquid; mineral water will not be a worthy replacement for ordinary drinking water. Also, you should not start drinking it on your own, without a doctor’s recommendation, or give it to children under 12 years of age.

Healing mineral.

This mineral water is prescribed by a doctor, indicating the dosage and duration of use. Along with medications, the liquid has certain indications and contraindications for use. In this regard, you should not drink it yourself, without consulting a specialist.

Medical dining room.

This water is also prescribed by a doctor and drunk in certain courses. In the future, it is possible to use it independently based on the recommendations given earlier.

Filtered

Nowadays, drinking filtered water is widespread. Almost all homes have special filters that allow you to purify tap water. Such treatment can be called the most economically feasible way to obtain good quality water directly from the tap. At the same time, we should not forget that during the cleaning process there is a possibility that various useful minerals and trace elements will be washed out of the liquid. In addition, in order to choose the right filter, as well as monitor the efficiency of its operation, you should regularly analyze the water quality.

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Where to buy a drinking water cooler

engages in supplies to Russia of coolers, pumps and related equipment designed for bottling water from bottles of various sizes. All equipment is supplied under the “ECOCENTER” brand.

We provide the best price-quality ratio of equipment, and also offer our partners excellent service and flexible terms of cooperation.

You can see the attractiveness of collaboration by comparing our prices with similar equipment from other suppliers. Moreover, you can name your motivated price, and your offer will definitely be considered.

All our equipment meets the standards established in Russia and has quality certificates. We deliver dispensers to our customers, as well as all the necessary spare parts and components in the shortest possible time.

What kind of water is best for children to drink?

Depending on their age, children need different water. If we talk about babies under one year old, then they can only consume:

1. Bottled water . Today you can buy bottled baby water in any store or pharmacy. Parents should not have any difficulties choosing the best option. Liquid intended for children is marked with a special marking and also contains information about passing the RAMS test. The quality of children's and adult water is different from each other; the mineral content in the first must meet the following parameters:

the total mineral content does not exceed 200–300 mg/liter;
calcium not higher than 60 mg/liter;
potassium no more than 5–20 mg/liter;
sodium does not exceed 20 mg/liter;
magnesium not higher than 10–35 mg/liter.

2. Water from “children’s” filters. From the point of view of economic feasibility, the best option would be to purchase a special “children’s” filter jug. Among its advantages, we note its low cost, ease of use, efficiency (one cartridge can process approximately 100–200 liters of water), and an increased degree of purification (removal of mechanical impurities, chlorine, pesticides, bacteria).

To produce the case, high-quality environmentally friendly plastic is used, the use of which is approved by pediatricians. Liquid purified using such a filter is absolutely safe for children.

When choosing which water is best for children to drink after one year, keep in mind that it must be of the first or highest quality category.

The first category corresponds to water that is safe for consumption, obtained from any source. Its quality is significantly superior to tap water (due to the absence of chlorination by-products), but is inferior to liquids of the highest category.

The highest category is assigned to water obtained from sources that are protected from pollution. It must meet strict sanitary and hygienic requirements and not exceed the permissible limits for the content of macro- and microelements.

It is recommended that children under three years of age be given water of the highest category. Its production does not use preservatives (silver and carbon dioxide), which have a negative effect on the microflora of the children's gastrointestinal tract. In such a liquid, the concentration of fluoride ion does not exceed 0.6–1.0 mg/liter. If it is contained in larger quantities, it is prohibited to give such water to children, since there is a high probability of an excess of this substance in the child’s body.

Drinking water can be divided into natural and prepared, that is, purified and artificially mineralized. These liquids correspond to a certain quality category.

3. Natural water.

Artesian water is obtained from artesian springs, which are located in the deep layers of the soil. They are formed due to melt and rain water accumulating in the bowels of the earth. The liquid is purified and mineralized as it passes through rocks. Since its depth is very great, it is not affected by external pollution. Often, such water, after extraction from a well, only needs to be purified from suspended matter and brought to normal values for the composition of mineral substances (if necessary).
Spring water is obtained from underground sources that come to the surface of the earth. Despite the pleasant taste, its quality will not always be high, since it is exposed to natural and man-made conditions (heavy rains, floods, industrial activities, etc.). In this regard, bottled spring water belongs to the first quality category.
Glacial water is produced by melting glaciers. This is the purest liquid, close in its chemical composition to distilled liquid due to the minimal amount of minerals.

Natural water always contains mineral salts; it has a constant composition and temperature. When extracting liquid, carried out in compliance with the necessary technologies, it is possible in the future to limit ourselves only to its mechanical purification from suspended matter. But in most cases, the chemical composition of natural water needs to be adjusted.

4. Purified water.

Reverse osmosis. One of the most common water treatment technologies today. Special membrane filters trap impurities present in the liquid, guaranteeing high quality cleaning.

However, this method of treatment deprives the water of not only pathogenic, but also beneficial microorganisms. A liquid that lacks salts and minerals is not suitable for regular use. In addition, it is contraindicated for children, since its acid-base balance is shifted towards high acidity, and its restoration will occur due to the beneficial elements present in the teeth and bones of children.

Ozonation is a very effective method of water treatment. The technology involves the oxidation of microorganisms, while at the same time the mineral composition of the liquid remains unchanged. Ozone prevents the proliferation of pathogenic microflora in bottles. However, it is worth keeping in mind that with this technique there is a possibility of the appearance of a suspension of soluble organic matter, which, if not removed, can repopulate the liquid with microorganisms that pose a more serious health hazard.
Ultraviolet irradiation . Before resorting to ultraviolet treatment of water, it must be mechanically cleaned of impurities. This technology is destructive to living microflora, bacteria and viruses, while the chemical composition of the water remains unchanged.

If we talk about what kind of water is best for children to drink, then it may contain a minimal amount of harmful and toxic substances. At the same time, the chemical composition and ratio of microelements in liquid intended for children must be ideal.

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The importance of water

Water is the main substance that ensures the life of people, animals, and plants. This is an organic solvent, without which the biochemical processes occurring in our body are impossible.

But not all water can be consumed. You should only use one that is clean and free from harmful impurities. It should include many useful micro- and macroelements and at the same time not contain too many minerals. The best water is that obtained from underground sources.

What is the best water to drink for weight loss?

If you set a goal to lose weight, then keep in mind that in this case you should drink clean water and not other liquids. Other drinks, as well as liquid dishes, are not suitable for this purpose, but a small amount of lemon juice can be added to the liquid consumed. It is undesirable to drink regular tap water, as it contains chlorine and other harmful substances.

When choosing which water is best to drink - boiled or filtered, keep in mind that heat treatment is detrimental to beneficial salts and minerals. Therefore, drinking such a liquid may cause negative side effects, such as swelling. A number of nutritionists believe that the degree of usefulness of boiled water can be equated to drinks such as coffee or tea, that is, it has no benefit for losing weight. The best choice would be liquid purified from impurities using home filters. The main thing is not to forget about timely replacement of cartridges.

When choosing bottled water, give preference to products from reputable manufacturers.

Among the best options is drinking melt water. It is characterized by a special molecular structure and a beneficial effect on the body.

When choosing which mineral water is best to drink, pay attention to its varieties without gas and with a low salt content. Drinking too salty mineral water is fraught with fluid retention in the body and edema.

As for sparkling water, it does not matter whether it is drinking or mineral, it does not contribute to weight loss. But due to gases that swell the intestines, it can cause discomfort. At the same time, the consumption of sweet carbonated drinks during the diet is prohibited, since they contain large amounts of sugar, various preservatives, flavor enhancers and stabilizers.

Even though sugary sodas that are labeled “0 calories” do not contain sugar, they still do not provide any benefit. In their production, the sweetener aspartame or E-951, which contains methanol, is used. In the body, this substance is transformed into formaldehyde (which is a strong poison).

When deciding what temperature water is best to drink, keep in mind that drinking cold liquid will slow down metabolic processes. As for the quantity, it is calculated in such a way that for every kilogram of weight there is 40 ml of water.

When starting to drink water to lose weight, you should adhere to the following recommendations.

When choosing which water is best to drink in the morning on an empty stomach, listen to experts who advise drinking one or two glasses of warm liquid before breakfast. This regimen will help you lose extra pounds by speeding up your metabolism, and will also be an excellent way to prevent constipation.
Drinking water about 20 minutes before meals helps reduce appetite. However, you should not drink more than two glasses of liquid at once, otherwise you can stretch your stomach.
You should not wash down your food, as this will slow down the process of absorption. Water can be consumed at least an hour after lunch or dinner.
Speaking about what time is best to drink water, we note that refusing to drink liquid 30 minutes before bedtime will permanently relieve you from swelling.
In the hot season, it is worth drinking more clean drinking water than in the cold, since due to elevated temperatures the body loses liquid in the form of sweat, and accordingly, it is necessary to replenish its reserves in order to ensure the normal functioning of vital organs.
It is optimal to drink water at room temperature; it has a positive effect on the gastrointestinal tract and also reduces appetite.
If you feel the urge to chew something, try drinking a small amount of water; gradually you will get rid of the not so healthy habit.
When exercising, drink more fluids than usual. During physical activity, harmful substances are removed from the body, and drinking enough moisture will help speed up this process.

When talking about what kind of water is best to drink in order to lose weight, do not forget about the need to include sports, exercise, and increase physical activity in your life while simultaneously reducing the amount of flour and fatty foods you consume.

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Drinking water of the highest category. Bottled water rating

In Europe, there has long been a rule to drink at least 2 liters of still water every day, regardless of the number of first courses eaten and coffee, tea, and other drinks drunk. This norm is sacredly observed by people of any profession and any material wealth. In our country, people are also gradually becoming accustomed to this rule, but not everyone knows what kind of water is best to buy. There is so much of it on store shelves that it’s dizzying. Few people carefully read the information on labels, and besides, it is often presented in such small print that you need to take a magnifying glass. Therefore, among the abundance of brands, some choose the most famous one, others choose the one that is cheaper, believing that the water is all the same. This is not entirely true, because there is water of the highest category and the first, and among them there is natural and purified, which is far from the same thing. So what kind of water should you take for it to be beneficial? Let's figure it out.

Why does the body need water?

Even children know that we are all 80% water. Every day, 500 ml is lost through sweat and breathing, 1500 ml - through urine. In order to restore losses, you need to pour 2000 lost ml into yourself, but it must be high-quality drinking water. All this is true, but only partly.

Firstly, the figure of 80% is the statistical average, but in fact, depending on age, weight and other indicators, each of us has a different amount of water. Secondly, we also lose it in different ways. In the heat more, in the cold less, while on the move more, lying on the couch less. That is, some people need to drink 2 liters, while for others 3 liters will not be enough. But why drink it? Is it only to recover losses? It turns out that water can easily dissolve both organic matter and all kinds of chemical compounds, such as salts. When it enters our body, it absorbs a lot of harmful substances, which are safely excreted in the urine. Thus, a natural cleansing of our systems from toxins and other nasty things occurs. Of course, the best drinking water, that is, chemically purer, copes with this task much more effectively. And another important function of water is that chemical reactions take place in it and complex complex compounds are formed, without which we cannot live. That is why the loss of only about 10% of fluid by our body can end very sadly.

Types of drinking water

Nowadays they write a lot about what drinking water of the highest category is. The rating of this product partly helps to figure out which brand to buy. It is based on all kinds of analyzes and tests that determine the compliance of the chemical composition of water with GOSTs and SanPiNam. But the results of such tests are rarely displayed on labels. But there is almost always data that water was extracted in such and such a region from such and such a depth, and other data that is not understandable to everyone is reported. To clarify the situation, or perhaps to confuse it even more, we note that in nature there are approximately 476 modifications of water, depending on which isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen make up its molecule. Naturally, the properties of these waters differ, and not all of them are equally beneficial for health. Fortunately, not all modifications are able to last long enough, and information about them is not displayed on the labels at all. What kind of water can be used for drinking? Its most famous types are:

light;
heavy;
soft;
hard;
underground (extracted from wells and aquifers);
mineral;
water supply;
purified.

Drinking water categories

Apart from the technical ones, which are not discussed in this article, there are two categories of water - the highest and the first. Each country has GOSTs and SanPiNs for bottled drinking water, regulating their taste, color, chemical composition, and transparency. Drinking water of both categories, unless it is medicinal mineral water, must be clear, odorless, free of foreign impurities and sediment, otherwise it should not be consumed at all. Regarding the chemical composition, higher requirements, of course, must be met by drinking water of the highest category. The rating, taken into account by many buyers, shows which of the water brands that have undergone quality control meet the standards. It is these products that are becoming the most popular. Currently, about 700 types of drinking water are produced. It is clear that it is difficult to check all of them, and unscrupulous manufacturers can write anything they want on the label. How can an ordinary person distinguish high-quality water from a fake?

Firstly, the price. If the water is actually extracted in an ecologically clean region, and even from a decent depth, then it has high production costs. Therefore, it cannot possibly be cheap. If the water is of poor quality, the manufacturer does not risk setting a high price, since it is very important for him to quickly sell his product and receive benefits before a possible inspection.

Secondly, according to the information on the label. If it really is water of the highest category, it must indicate the place of its extraction, the address and website of the manufacturer, and the chemical composition. In reality, almost all elements from the periodic table may be present in natural drinking water, but most chemical elements make up such a small amount that they are not taken into account.

Mainly indicate the content of such chemicals and compounds:

potassium (up to 10 mg/l);
magnesium (up to 20 mg/l);
sodium (up to 100 mg/l);
calcium (up to 20 mg/l);
nitrates (up to 45 mg/l);
chlorides (up to 100 mg/l);
sulfates (up to 30 mg/l);
bicarbonates (up to 300 mg/l).

Sometimes the labels indicate the pH of the water, which should be in the range of 6.5-7.5. Inconsistency of even one of these indicators does not give the right to assign the highest category to water.

Light and heavy water

The taste, color, smell of both are the same, but in terms of usefulness they are very different. Numerous experiments have proven that the best drinking water, which, among other things, has high healing properties, is light. It contains virtually no impurities of deuterium (an isotope of hydrogen) and other heavy elements, therefore cleansing the body of toxins and all metabolic processes in it are better. Light water even helps in the treatment of cancerous tumors. Heavy water, in which deuterium atoms are attached to the oxygen atom, is harmless to humans if drunk in small quantities. But there is no benefit from it. In nature, deuterium molecules are present in any water, from wells no matter how deep it is extracted. It is logical that any drinking water of the highest category contains these molecules. There is no rating on this issue, but when choosing bottled water, you can buy products from well-proven brands, and at home make light water from this good, but ordinary water by freezing it in the refrigerator and then thawing it. What will melt, first of all, will be the cleanest drinking water in the world, which is most beneficial for health. It is advisable to throw away the remaining ice after such a procedure, as it will collect all the harmful impurities.

Soft and hard water

With these characteristics the situation is simpler. Whether water is soft or hard depends on the content of magnesium and calcium salts in it. You can drink both in small quantities, but in large quantities, hard water can lead to the formation of kidney stones, and soft water can lead to problems with blood pressure. In everyday life, you can determine the hardness of water by eye. So, if there is too much calcium and magnesium salts in it, there will be little foam when soaping your hands, and if there is a shortage, it will seem that the soap is not washed off your hands. But when buying water in a store, no one conducts such experiments. Yes, this is not necessary, because the content of hardness salts in water is strictly determined by GOST and must be indicated on the label. The numbers may vary slightly in different countries.

In Russia, as of January 1, 2014, water hardness is measured in degrees and designated “°Zh” or in milligram equivalents per liter, of which drinking water must contain no less than 1.5 and no more than 2.5 units. Sometimes the labels indicate not the hardness, but the amount of calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+), as well as their salts (CaSO4, MgSO4, CaCl2, MgCl2). The quantity of each salt is not regulated by GOST; it only indicates how many of them should be in total. If these standards are met, it means that we may well have drinking water of the highest category suitable for everyday use. To be high, the rating must take into account the content of other useful microelements, especially nitrates. As for the tests for magnesium-calcium, such well-promoted brands as “Aqua Minerale”, “Dombay” did not pass it, and the water of the brands “Holy Source” and “Shishkin Les” turned out to have a lot of chlorine.

Mineral water

Now mineral water is freely sold in any store, so many people buy it as regular drinking water, being confident that mineral water is any water that contains trace elements. In fact, mineral water is water that is extracted only from certain aquifers and has a strictly regulated chemical composition. It is precisely this water of the highest category that can have a rather unpleasant taste, smell, and sometimes even color and sediment, which depends on the salts in which it is rich. It is important to know that, despite the rich chemical composition (indicated on the labels), water is not considered mineral if it is a mixture of natural and artificially made.

Water, which is a mixture extracted from various aquifers, will not be a high-quality mineral water, but, unfortunately, you cannot determine this from the label. You can navigate here only by brand names. Thus, time-tested natural drinking water that has good consumer reviews is “Borjomi”, “Narzan”, “Essentuki”, “Mukhinskaya”, and in Ukraine - “Mirgorodskaya”, “Kuyalnik”, “Polyana Kvasova”. In terms of composition, mineral waters can be sulfate, hydrocarbonate, chloride, mixed, and in terms of the concentration of nutrients, table waters (microelements in them up to 1 gram per 1 cubic dm3), medicinal table waters (microelements up to 10 grams per dm3) and medicinal. You can only consume the canteen every day without consulting a doctor.

Tap and purified water

Previously, no one bought bottled water, and even still water, everyone drank tap water. There are also GOST and SanPiN standards for its purity, so, in principle, it should be suitable for drinking in any quantity. Tap water in most countries is subjected to several stages of purification: mechanical, coagulation, filtration, aeration, sterilization or, in other words, chlorination. Despite such serious technology, the rating of drinking water from the tap is one of the lowest, because it almost always contains large quantities of salts of various chemical elements, these elements themselves, such as chlorine, and sometimes pathogens. Therefore, we no longer want to drink such water.

Savvy entrepreneurs have figured out how to capitalize on it and do good at the same time. The method is simple and involves additional cleaning. The costs of the entire process are relatively low, therefore the price of the product is low, although the label may indicate that the water is crystal clear, mineralized and generally the best.

However, a reasonable buyer should understand that the best bottled water cannot cost 5-10 rubles for one and a half liters, even if it says “spring” or “artesian”. For comparison, bottled water obtained from pure natural sources of the Alps costs 70-80 rubles per liter bottle.

But what is purified water? We use two methods: reverse osmosis, which inspires confidence among the people, although few understand it, and mysterious coagulation. Let's figure out how they work.

Reverse osmosis is the passage of water through several membranes with a microscopic texture, on which all the elements dissolved in the water remain one after another. The result is almost perfectly pure water, similar to distilled water. It is not good for health, because once it enters the human body, it begins to replenish the beneficial substances removed from it, taking them away from our body. To prevent this from happening, manufacturers enrich it again, so the composition of microelements indicated on the labels of such water may be correct, but it is rarely assigned the highest category.

Coagulation involves adding a coagulant (clarifier) to ordinary water, which precipitates certain chemicals and trace elements. After this, the water is separated from the sediment and bottled. The process is so cheap and simple that about 70% of all manufacturers use it. So, when buying the cheapest drinking water, you may stumble upon a product that is not particularly suitable for health.

Water from the depths of the Earth

Many Russians have wells of varying depths (even more than 50 meters) in their yards. It would seem, why should they buy bottled natural water if they can use their own, also natural. However, chemical analyzes of such water show that its microelements are not two, or even ten, but several dozen times higher. It is clear that you cannot drink it. The problem is that the entire thickness of the earth’s crust, like a shortcake, is made up of geological layers - loams, sandstones, limestones and others. The closer to the surface of the earth and the closer to populated areas, especially to industrial centers, the more chemical elements, garbage, human and animal waste there are in the layers. All this easily gets into shallow water layers, so they can be used for drinking only after thorough cleaning.

The so-called high water that forms during floods and river overflows is also unsuitable for drinking. And yet, the bowels of the Earth can give us clean and healthy water, but to get it, we need to drill artesian wells. In different regions their depth ranges from 100 to 1000 meters. The necessary water must be between the waterproof layers of rocks and be there under pressure, so it flows like a fountain from the drilled well. In many respects, artesian water is the best bottled water available in stores, despite the fact that it also contains some salts and trace elements. Manufacturers, as a rule, indicate on the labels from what depth and in what region their product was extracted. If this is, for example, the Carpathians, the Urals or the Alps, the ecological purity of which no one doubts, we can safely say that such drinking water is of excellent quality. There can be dozens of brand names here. Which one should you choose if there are no famous or popular ones on sale? There is only one piece of advice here - trust the information on the label.

Carbonated water

It is believed that soda quenches thirst better than plain water, that it is more tasty and completely harmless. But is it useful? If you take European countries, for example Greece, the founder of the rule about daily and compulsory drinking of water, it is almost impossible to find soda there in one and a half liter, and even more so two-liter bottles. This kind of water is sold in maximum half-liter glass bottles, not counting classic soda.

We carbonate all our water by adding carbon dioxide to it. It really changes the taste, and in addition, it helps the salts remain dissolved and not precipitate. It is for this purpose that mineral waters are enriched with carbon dioxide before bottling, because they contain a lot of salts. Should non-mineral water of the highest category be carbonated? And why do this if there are not so many salts in plain water that you would be afraid of their precipitation, and the taste should be good even without carbon dioxide? The answer to these controversial questions may be the taste preferences of customers, many of whom like soda.

You can safely purchase products from famous brands whose manufacturers value their name, but when buying cheap soda, it’s worth wondering whether there’s anything good in it other than carbon dioxide. But high-quality carbonated water should not be drunk in large quantities, since the CO2 included in its composition activates the secretion of gastric juice, has an adverse effect on enamel, and promotes increased gas formation in the intestines.

Rating of drinking water of famous brands

A single study that would cover all commercially available water, not forgetting that intended for coolers, has not yet been carried out, so the rating of brands can be considered conditional, since it is based on checks made randomly. According to some data, Bon Aqua water is the best, followed by “Holy Source”, “Aqua Mineral”, “Arkhyz”. According to others, “Holy Source” and “Aqua Mineral” did not reach the highest category at all, and the first place was taken by Nizhny Novgorod water “Dixie”. Second and third places went to “foreigners”, the French Vittel and Evian. Not only in Russia, but also in Europe this is water of the highest category. Customer reviews about it are excellent, but absolutely all respondents note the high price.

The domestic “Lipetsk pump room” is a little cheaper, but it also contains fewer microelements. According to the results of the test, “Aqua Mineral” turned out to be completely without microelements, that is, almost sterile, although the label does not indicate this. But the waters “Shishkin Les”, “Simply ABC”, Crristaline, Aparan, “Holy Source” and even Bon Aqua, bottled in Moscow, were blacklisted due to gross violations of quality standards and deception of customers.

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Can I drink distilled water?

Distilled water is obtained through evaporation, during which various impurities, microbes, and trace elements are removed from the liquid. It can be drunk and used for cooking. But due to the lack of useful minerals and salts in it, it is often called dead. In addition, it is believed that drinking such water contributes to the leaching of calcium from the body, destruction of the skeletal system and tooth enamel. However, today there is no consensus on the benefits or harm of distilled liquid.

When choosing which water is best to drink, check out the advantages of distilled water:

Its composition is similar to natural (rain, melt) water, which means it is beneficial for the body.
Passing through the body, such a liquid cleanses it, absorbing various toxic substances. In addition, its use helps remove salts and stones from the kidneys.
The main advantage of distilled water is the technology for its production, due to which bacteria and harmful microorganisms are completely removed from the liquid.
Regular drinking water contains various minerals and trace elements, but not all of them are beneficial to the human body.

As for the reasons why you should not drink distilled water too often, we can highlight the following:

It promotes the leaching of useful chemicals from the body - potassium, magnesium, fluorine, calcium, which negatively affects the body, teeth, and skeletal system.
The lack of minerals in the liquid has a negative effect on the heart, digestive system, blood vessels, and internal organs.
Distilled water washes out important chemical elements from the blood.
The acid-base balance of such liquid is lower than that of ordinary drinking water, so it does not affect the water balance of the human body.
It has a fairly high cost.

The Best Options for Raw Water You Can Drink Safely

Rodnikovaya.

Such water does not need to be purified; it happens on its own as it passes through many layers of soil. At the same time, it absorbs beneficial minerals.

But it is best to drink such water from a spring that is located far enough from megacities and other sources of pollution. There are sources that are under state protection and have special passports. Such bottled spring water is sold in stores, and the label must indicate the place from which the liquid was bottled.

Artesian.

This, like the previous one, can deservedly be classified as the best types of natural water. It is extracted from artesian wells. After this, it undergoes ultraviolet disinfection, and then it is bottled and sold through the retail chain.

This water is suitable for use without boiling.

Mineral.

Mineral water, like spring water, passes through layers of soil, purifying itself and acquiring beneficial properties.

Doctors recommend using table water for drinking. But you cannot constantly use medicinal liquid with a high content of minerals, since it contains many different salts. It is better to take it only as prescribed by a doctor. Otherwise, there is a high chance of harming your health.

Water from the filter.

Considering flow filters that are connected directly to the water supply and jug-type filters as a cleaning method, it should be noted that they all deprive the water of some useful substances. Remember to regularly replace cartridges and do not use them longer than the stated period.

Well water.

The opinion that well water is extremely beneficial is unfounded. The fact is that it is formed at a fairly shallow depth, passing through layers of soil that can be contaminated with wastewater. In addition, most often the norm for the permissible amount of iron and nitrates in it is also exceeded. Only specialists from the Sanitary and Epidemiological Service can assess the quality of water in a well.

Bottled.

To obtain it, ordinary water is purified under industrial conditions. Only in this case does it become suitable for consumption. After this, it is bottled and sold.

You may also be interested in: How to determine water hardness and soften it