(also referred to as...)
H2O, Activated, Artesian, Artesian-Well, Demineralized, Distilled, Drinking,
Herbal, Ionized, Mineral, Natural, Oxygen-Enriched, Oxygenated,
Purified, Reverse Osmosis, RO, Sparkling, Spring, Tap, Well Water
Description
Aside from being a convenient distance from the sun and having an atmosphere, the presence of water on Earth results in the proliferation of living creatures. Indeed, this deceptively simple molecule of two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen (H2O) provides the medium where life-sustaining chemical reactions take place and is absolutely essential to the survival of all organisms. While humans can go without food for thirty to forty days, without water, we will die in five days or less.
Your body is composed of approximately 70 percent water and accounts for one-half to four-fifths of your weight. The average adult body contains forty-five litres of water. Thirty of these litres, referred to as intracellular fluid, circulate within cells and there is a constant exchange of intra and extra-cellular fluid through cell membranes. Three litres circulate as blood plasma, carrying protein and other nutrients that pass through capillary walls. The remaining twelve litres, referred to as interstitial fluid, surround cells and are found in lymph and various other secretions.
Functions
Water is required by all body tissues and is used by all joints, organs, and systems. It is essential for all body functions and an increased water intake generally enhances these processes. Water acts as a solvent for vitamins, minerals, amino acids, glucose, and a number of other nutrients and plays a role in the digestion, absorption, transportation, and utilization of these nutrients. It is the base of all blood and fluid secretions, including gastric juices, saliva, synovial fluid, tears, and others. Water also acts as a cushion for body cells and surrounds the developing fetus, in the form of amniotic fluid.
Increased water intake hydrates your cells, enhances organ function, improves the efficiency of your lymphatic and elimination systems, maintains acid-alkaline balance, improves mental and physical performance, lubricates joints, maintains proper internal temperature, promotes healthy skin and generally makes you feel better.
Requirements
You typically require 1.9L/2 quarts water daily to support proper function. Approximately 0.9L/1 quart is obtained through food while an additional 0.9L/1 quart must be consumed separately. This quantity increases for physically active people or those living in warmer climates. For more information, see Optimal Absorption, below. Serious dehydration can occur with a loss of only 5 to 10 percent body water, while a 15 to 20 percent loss is often fatal.
As we age, we "dry-out" somewhat and lose our desire for thirst. While a newborn is 75 to 80 percent water, people between the age of 65 and 70 are typically composed of only 50 percent water. This is reflected in stiff joints and reduced saliva flow. For this reason, optimal water consumption is recommended throughout life and well into the retired years.
When internal water content decreases, blood volume drops, salt content slightly increases, and saliva production drops. This series of events triggers a chemical and hormonal process inducing a sensation of thirst that is relieved through the consumption of water or other fluids. When you are thirsty, your kidneys also conserve water by redirecting it back into the bloodstream, resulting in increased urine concentration.
Contamination
The health and purity of Earth's waterways and reservoirs are increasingly threatened by human activity. The majority of creeks, rivers, and lakes are undrinkable without some form of filtration. Aquifers are affected by leachate from municipal and illegal landfills and damaged septic tank systems. Long-terms wells are becoming contaminated for the same reason and are also affected by agricultural runoff containing pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and animal sewage. Fresh water is essential to our survival and a number of measures must be taken to ensure the integrity and purity of this life-giving nutrient.
Common specific biological contaminants include Clostridium botulinum, coliform, cryptosporidium, cyanobacteria, Escherichia coli (E. coli) 0157:H7 and other strains, Giardia lambia, and salmonella. Specific chemical/elemental contaminants include aluminum, dioxin and other chlorine-based compounds, herbicides, nitrates, pesticides, phosphates, radon, radionuclides, solvents, sulphates, and household weed killer. Specific heavy metal contaminants include cadmium, lead, and mercury. NOTE: Chlorine is often intentionally added to water to prevent biological contamination and is both hailed and criticized by various parties. The merits and drawbacks of this approach, however, are beyond the scope of this website.
Minimal Filtration and Disinfection
Regardless of the source of your water, it should be filtered at some level to minimally remove solids and biological contaminants. If you do not have safe water available, grapefruit seed extract and food grade 35% hydrogen peroxide are safe and ideal methods of disinfecting potential drinking water.
If using grapefruit seed extract, add 10 drops to 3.785 litres/1 gallon of water. Shake or stir vigorously and let stand for several minutes. The slightly bitter taste, if any, is inherent to the extract.
Food grade hydrogen peroxide should be purchased from a health food store. Hydrogen peroxide from drugstores should not be consumed as it contains harmful chemical additives. If using food grade 35% hydrogen peroxide, add 15 to 30 drops 35% hydrogen peroxide to 3.785 litres/1 gallon of water. If the water tastes like bleach, let stand in an open container for several hours. For long-term water storage (more than two months) add 30 to 50 drops 35% hydrogen peroxide to 3.785 litres/1 gallon of water. For more information, see the dedicated section on Hydrogen Peroxide (Food Grade - 35%).
Filtration Methods
To prevent against contamination, water may be further treated before consumption. These "end-of-pipe" approaches do not address the source of the problem but will help protect against possible contamination and/or infection.
Activated Carbon An activated carbon filter adsorbs/attracts contaminants as water flows through the filter. They help reduce chlorine, odours, bad taste, and some heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, or mercury. Costs are $20 - $60 for a faucet or pour-through model, $90 - $200 for a countertop model, $75 - $600 for under-the-sink models, and $500 - $1,300 for a house-based system.
Carbon Filtration
Carbon filters pass water through charcoal or a solid carbon block that blocks contaminants. The filter cartridge must be replaced when carbon sites are filled. They help reduce chlorine, odours, bad taste, and organic chemicals and pesticides. Costs are $15 - $30 for a faucet model and $300 and up for under-the-counter systems.
Water Softener
A water softener replaces calcium and magnesium with sodium that "softens" the water and leaves fewer residues on sinks, shower stalls, bathtubs, and your skin. They help reduce calcium, iron, and radium. Costs are $1,000-$3,500 for a complete household solution.
Distillation and reverse osmosis (RO) are additional filtration methods and are discussed under Sources, below.
Sources
Aside from one of the sources described below, water is found in food and this accounts for roughly half your daily intake. Other water sources include fruit and vegetable juice (freshly pressed is preferred) and broths, teas, and soups.
A large variety of water harvesting and preparation techniques are used, depending on water availability and level of processing desired. This extensive list follows.
Activated / Ionized Water
The water molecules in activated/ionized water have been electrically charged through a special process. This "energized" water is promoted to have beneficial effects on the body. No accurate body of scientific data exists on the benefits of activated water on humans to date. Laboratory studies involving seed germination have shown that activated water improved germination under both normal conditions and toxin exposure.
Activated water is also available in drops that are added to regular water or herbal tea.
Artesian / Artesian-Well Water
An aquifer is an underground layer of rock or sand that contains water. Artesian/artesian-well water is obtained from a confined aquifer well where the water stands above the top of the aquifer.
Distilled Water
Distilled water is created by heating and evaporating water, then collecting the condensed water vapour. It is considered the purest form of water available and should not contain any minerals, chemicals, dissolved solids, organisms, or other trace elements. This form of water is often used for therapeutic purposes. NOTE: As there is only pure water in distilled water, the consumption of significant quantities can create mineral imbalances in the body.
Drinking Water
Drinking water is often found in bottled form and is obtained from an approved source: aquifers, municipal tap water, lakes, springs, rivers reservoirs, or wells. The water may undergo further processing according to one or more government regulations. It should be calorie and sugar-free and may contain added minerals or other trace elements. NOTE: The exact water source is not always explicitly stated on labels -- you may just be paying for bottled tap water...
Municipal tap water is also commonly referred to as drinking water.
Fortified Water
Like milk and cereals, fortified water contains added vitamins and minerals. It may also be flavoured and sweetened. Some fortified waters are marketed as meal replacements while others are targeted to athletes and fitness enthusiasts as a plain-water alternative.
NOTE: Fortified water is not the same as sports drinks or fluid replacements. These drinks are specifically designed to replace lost electrolytes and increase available carbohydrates.
Herbal Water
Herbal water is typically spring or mineral water that has had relatively low concentrations of one or more herbs added to it. You will likely find echinacea, ginkgo biloba, Siberian ginseng, ginger, or St. John's Wort among the list of additives. Herbal waters may also be flavoured but are calorie, carbonation, and sugar-free.
The medicinal qualities of herbal additives in this form is typically negligible, but this may change. For now, herbal water is more trendy than healing. No accurate body of scientific data exists on the benefits of herbal water on humans to date.
Mineral Water
Mineral water contains not less than 250 parts per million (PPM) of total dissolved solids (TDS). No minerals may be added and any that are present must originate from a geologically and physically protected natural, underground source. "Low mineral content" water contains TDS below 500ppm, while "high mineral content" water contains TDS above 1,500ppm.
Natural Water
According to the United States Federal Drug Administration (FDA), (the only governing body that could provide such information), "natural water" is water that has not been significantly processed and is free of artificial or synthetic substances. It is not known what accurately defines "significantly processed".
Oxygen-Enriched / Oxygenated Water
"O2" water may have up to forty times the normal oxygen concentration naturally found in water. This form of water typically comes in flavoured and unflavoured forms. O2 waters are promoted to increase energy levels by increasing oxygen availability to red blood cells. No accurate body of scientific data exists on the benefits of oxygen-enriched/oxygenated water on humans to date.
Purified / Demineralized Water
Purified/demineralized water is defined as that which has been purified by distillation, deionization, reverse osmosis (RO), or other processes. The water has been filtered and sterilized. Naturally occurring minerals are, in almost all cases, not present.
Reverse Osmosis (RO) Water
Reverse osmosis water involves the pressurized passing of water through one or more membranes. The filters are typically measured in microns and can block organisms, heavy metals, and dissolved solids. The water may also pass through an ultraviolet (UV) filter to further ensure purity. RO water may have some minerals and trace elements present, depending on the type of filter(s) used.
Spring Water
Spring water originates from an underground formation and naturally flows to Earth's surface. It is typically rich in minerals and other trace elements. Spring water typically emanates from under strata formed in prehistoric times.
Sparkling Water
Sparkling water contains the identical amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) present when it emerged from the source. This is typically accomplished through treatment and possible CO2 replacement.
Tap Water
Tap water is provided by your municipal/provincial/federal government, state, or territory for the consumption of its residents. Processing plants are typically owned by a government organization or association/corporation acting on its behalf. In most cases, tap water has had chlorine added to it to prevent microbial contamination.
As water treatment plants only target biological contaminants during processing, it is possible that non-biological contaminants pass through the system and into the city's water distribution network. Non-biological contaminants include chemical effluent, dioxins, heavy metals (cadmium, lead, mercury) herbicides, fungicides, nitrates, pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyl's (PCB's), and synthetic hormones (from birth control pills, factory-farm growth hormones, et cetera). Most people thus use some form of filtration before consuming tap water.
The radioactive isotope tritium is a form of nuclear waste found in the polluted water bodies adjacent to nuclear power plants. Consequently, water from these sources contains radioactive factors that then enter the city's water distribution network. In Canada, four of the five Great Lakes are contaminated with tritium. Unfortunately, there is no form of filtration that will eliminate the radioactive factors that may be present in water.
Well Water
The creation of a well is an age-old technique of harvesting water from below the surface. It involves drilling, boring, or otherwise constructing a hole in the ground that taps an aquifer. Well water is then derived from the well.
Well water should be regularly tested for the presence of nitrates and other contaminants. Nitrates originate from chemical fertilizers and manure and enter an aquifer through agricultural runoff.
Ailments / Situations Where Used
Water acts as a solvent for body wastes and dilutes them to reduce toxicity and promote elimination. The greater the water intake, the faster your body will flush wastes, toxins, and free radicals and prevent their reabsorption or concentration in the body. This in turn may help prevent a variety of acute, chronic, and degenerative ailments. It is for this reason that a number of theories hold that increased water consumption reduces the risk of breast, colon, and urinary tract cancer by eliminating the free radicals and chemicals that can provoke cancerous growth.
Your kidneys require water to dissolve waste such as uric acid, urea, and lactic acid. A lack of water reduces efficiency and may lead to toxin accumulation in the body. Reduced water intake also affects your liver, disrupts general organ function, and hinders your immune system. Kidney and gallstones may also result. Low intake can also affect digestion and metabolism, as certain enzymatic and chemical reactions require water. Constipation and various digestive and malabsorption problems can also result.
Headaches can be caused by toxin buildup in the body and increased water intake may reduce their severity and occurrence. Acid indigestion may also be relieved by increased water intake. Weight problems and water retention benefit from water as fats are mobilized and excess water is released respectively. It is also imperative that people dealing with chronic fatigue syndrome consume at least eight glasses of water daily to reduce toxin and chemical concentrations in the body that can lead to muscle aches, headaches, and extreme fatigue. Arthritis, musculoskeletal problems, and athletic injuries improve when a greater quantity of water is present to help lubricate joints.
Drinking water reduces hunger cravings, as the water fills your stomach and stimulates the feeling of satiety.
Optimal Absorption
Drink 8 to 10 235mL/8oz. glasses of water daily, for a total of 1.9 - 2.4L/2 - 2.5 quarts. If you are not accustomed to drinking this quantity of water, start with four or five glasses daily and work your way up. If you engage in regular exercise or live in a warmer climate, your water requirement will further increase to replace lost fluids.
Pregnant women require greater fluid intake for amniotic fluid, expanded blood volume, and the needs of her growing child. Nursing mothers also require greater intake, as breast milk is 87 percent water.
Water is also obtained through your daily food intake. Fruits and vegetables are composed of 70 to 95 percent water, for example. Water is best taken at room temperature or slightly cold. Your body will use up energy to "warm" cold water once consumed.
Contraindications / Precautions / Warnings
Excessively high levels of water intake can disrupt sodium and potassium ion function in the body and lead to convulsions, coma, and death. This situation may occur with people suffering from psychogenic polydipsia (a psychiatric disorder), or those who have had severe head injuries or lung tumours.
People practicing fad weight-loss diets are also more susceptible to drinking vast quantities of fluid and should exercise caution.
Ailment / Situation Listing
For More Information ...
Health Canada: Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/pubs/water-eau/sum_guide-res_recom/index-eng.php
