A word about water – Get the Facts

Certainly, bottled water is a convenience that helps us stay hydrated while on the go. But convenience aside, bottled water isn’t necessarily more virtuous than tap water. In fact, did you know that bottled water is sometimes nothing more than purified tap water? Fortunately, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has strict labeling rules for bottled water, but it’s up to you to learn the differences between various terms and what they mean. There are three major types of bottled water: Purified water is water that has been produced by distillation, deionization, reverse osmosis, or other suitable processes. Purified water may also be referred to as “demineralized water.” Spring water is water that flows naturally from the earth and is collected directly from its natural source. Mineral water is spring water that contains dissolved minerals and other trace elements (at least 250 parts per million) that come directly from the source. In general, safety standards for bottled water and tap water are the same with a few exceptions. For example, because tap water may become contaminated with lead as it travels through pipes, the government limits the amount of lead in tap water to 15 parts per billion whereas the limit is set below 5 parts per billion for bottled water. Another major difference is that tap water is fluoridated, but most bottled waters do not contain fluoride. Most people can safely (and inexpensively!) drink water straight from the tap. If you want to improve the taste of tap water, you can purchase a water filtration pitcher, which reduces the amount of chlorine in the tap water. If you prefer the taste of bottled water and you’re serving it to your family, let your dentist know because young children require fluoride for healthy teeth. Finally, Dr. Agatston advises drinking when you’re thirsty to stay sufficiently hydrated. Keep a bottle or glass of water nearby so you can quench your thirst as needed