Water is the most abundant substance in our body; on average we are made up of about 60% water, so there is no wonder that proper hydration is absolutely vital for optimal functioning. But what people tend to overlook is the quality of the water they drink. Obviously the most accessible type of water to drink is tap water as it is ‘deemed safe’ in most developed countries, but it is far from optimal quality.
As I have spoken about in blog posts before, most things in today’s world possess a level of contamination and contain toxins and pollutants that affect our bodies. Water is a vital component in this equation as it can be quite an easy fix to help ease the burden on our cells and organs, reducing the level of toxins we are exposed to.
So what is the problem with tap water and water from plastic bottles?
Contaminants and toxins to put it simply, but I shall elaborate a little further to hopefully emphasise why good quality water is so important and provide some greater understanding!
The following is a list of things found in UK tap water that can potentially have detrimental effects on our health:
- Lead – this can leach into tap water from old pipes and plumbing fixtures and exposure to it over time can cause developmental delays, behavioural (neurological) problems, and kidney damage – it is a heavy metal that we don’t want in our body.
- Nitrates – this can be found in tap water in agricultural areas where fertilisers are used. High levels of this can be harmful to infants and can interfere with the ability of the blood to carry oxygen.
- Pesticides – these can enter the water supply through runoff from agricultural fields or gardens. Some pesticides have been linked to cancer, reproductive issues, and neurological damage.
- Cryptosporidium – this is a parasite that can be found in water supplies contaminated by human or animal faeces. It can cause diarrhoea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal problems.
- Chlorine & chlorine by-products – whilst chlorine is added to the water as a disinfectant, it can react with other substances in the water to form by-products such as trihalomethanes (THMs). Exposure to high levels of THMs over time has been linked to an increased risk of cancer and other health problems.
- Microplastics – highly topical at the moment! Whilst the health effects are not yet fully understood, I don’t think we need professionals to tell us that ingesting plastic regularly through drinking water (and food) is a bad thing!
And a quick summary on water from plastic bottles, which is usually seen as a better alternative to tap water, but unfortunately not… I do apologise for being such a negative nancy, but I will be providing solutions and alternatives at the end to hopefully lighten the tone and show you how avoiding these things isn’t that hard at all!
Plastic bottles can release a variety of chemicals into the water they contain, particularly when exposed to heat or over time. Some of the chemicals that can leach from plastic bottles into water include:
- Bisphenol A (BPA): BPA is a chemical used in the production of polycarbonate plastics, which are commonly used in food and drink containers. BPA is known to mimic the hormone estrogen and has been linked to a variety of health issues, including reproductive problems, developmental delays, and cancer.
- Phthalates: These are a group of chemicals used to make plastics more flexible and durable. Exposure to phthalates has been linked to both reproductive issues and developmental delays.
- Antimony: this is a toxic metalloid that is used as a catalyst in the production of PET plastic, which is commonly used for water bottles. Exposure to antimony can cause a variety of health problems, including lung and heart damage.
- Styrene: a chemical used in the production of polystyrene, which is commonly used in plastic food and drink containers. Exposure to styrene is linked to respiratory issues and cancer.
Ideally plastic would be totally avoided where our food and drink are concerned, but obviously that is so much easier said than done so it is recommended to avoid leaving plastic water bottles in hot environments, such as in a car or in direct sunlight but also just making small, daily choices that are better than the ones made yesterday, last week or last month. We can’t be perfect, or even close to perfect the majority of the time. It is unsustainable and can be demotivating, so aiming for 1% better is all we need to do!
Okay I am done being a negative nancy now, and shall provide some alternatives and solutions 🙂
The easiest thing to suggest is a water filter, there are loads of different types available on the market and I would just suggest doing some research and deciding on what type sounds best to you – for example, I chose a glass alkaline water filter as not only does it filter out heavy metals, chlorine and fluoride, but it also remineralises the water and it is glass. There is a great brand called Zero Water that do fantastic water filters too, but you would have to remineralise the water yourself as they remove all ‘dissolvable solids’ – so that is everything good and bad! But remineralisation can be done by adding a sprinkling of celtic sea salt or pink himalayan salt to it.
There is also the option of a distiller which Jade uses, especially during periods of detox and cleansing. It draws anything “bad” – think, parasites, toxins, pollutants, chemicals – from the body, which makes it great for detox. This is the distiller Jade has:
https://www.makewaterpure.co.uk/?cmid=THVmWlZFWFJYRVk9&afid=QjVkSG42ZitQUmM9&ats=Q1BHZFJ1bWZHZkE9
If you have spring water available in your area (i.e. maybe your office has a water dispenser from a local spring water company), that is also a great option as it is sourced from natural springs and is often touted for its purity and mineral content.
Also, using glass or stainless steel bottles to carry your water round with you is a way to avoid plastic bottles, reducing single use materials AND providing an easy health benefit.