Know Your Water: What Type is Best?
When it comes to achieving sustained peak performance, we know that drinking at least half our body weight in ounces of water a day is key. However, the type of water matters just as much as the volume consumed.
TAP WATER
Tap water is the most readily available water source, but in a lot of areas it’s not very pure. It often contains excessive amounts of fluoride and chloride, which have been linked to a number of health risks. It’s best to filter tap water, even if it’s only being used for cooking.
DISTILLED OR FILTERED WATER
Drinking distilled or filtered water is a step in the right direction. However, the process that strips tap water of the aforementioned chemicals also strips it of natural minerals our bodies need. Both distilled water and water filtered at home can have this issue. To replace these minerals, add TB12 Electrolytes to distilled or filtered water.
In addition, both the distilling process and filtration process are not as thorough as they could be. Both processes leave water with some removable contaminants. It’s still a good option compared to tap water, but it’s not the best quality water available.
SPRING WATER
Despite the depiction on the bottle, many “spring waters” are drawn from multiple sources. In fact, “spring water” is often nothing more than treated tap water, meaning it’s no better than filtered water. So, we’re often not getting what’s advertised when we buy “spring water,” and we’re better off saving our money.
MINERAL WATER
Many brands of mineral water contain healthy minerals that have an alkalizing effect on the body. Although they usually lack all the electrolytes we need to get the most out of water, the high mineral content helps fight inflammation and lower acidity in the body. Therefore, mineral water is a great choice!
CARBONATED WATER
Carbonated water — often marketed as “seltzer,” “sparkling water,” or “club soda” when sodium is added — is water that’s been pressurized with carbon dioxide gas. This process causes the water to lose oxygen and become slightly more acidic. As a result, carbonated water can be dehydrating. It’s best to avoid this, especially when working toward a hydration goal.
PURIFIED WATER
Water labeled “purified” has been treated to eliminate chemicals and pathogens to a degree exceeding what the Environmental Protection Agency deems acceptable. Purified water goes through more processes than filtered water and distilled water. These processes remove additional contaminants like bacteria and viruses, making the water the purest available to us today. This makes purified water the best type of water for reaching our hydration goal. Some purified water may still need healthy minerals, though, so be sure to add TB12 Electrolytes to every glass!
All water, purified or not, could use electrolytes, since our bodies naturally lose them as we sweat and exhale. Electrolytes are a great way to make sure our muscles are staying hydrated, so pick up yours today!
