What’s the Best Water to Drink for Health? Your Ultimate Guide
Have you ever noticed how water tastes different when it comes from a different source? Whether it’s from the tap at your friend’s house or a natural spring during a long trek, water isn’t just plain old water. Different minerals and additives can alter the flavor — and health benefits — of water.
Different types of water include spring water, tap water, and artesian water. Plus, there are precise electrolyte blends like oral rehydration solutions that you can add to water to improve your hydration status.
So what’s the best water to drink for health? Here, you’ll learn about the different types of water and the basics of hydration. You’ll discover why plain old water isn’t enough to defeat dehydration.
7 Types of Water
There are several different kinds of water, from tap water to mineral-rich options. Some types are healthier than others (and one type is essential for hydration). Here, we’ll go over the different types of water and what makes each one unique.
1. Electrolyte Water
Electrolyte water contains charged minerals like sodium, potassium, calcium, and chloride.
Your body needs electrolytes to function properly. That’s because electrolytes play a key role in muscle function, brain function, and water retention. If you don’t get enough of these charged minerals, an electrolyte imbalance or dehydration can occur.
Electrolyte-rich waters are the best way to avoid and address dehydration. In fact, the WHO and UNICEF recommend oral rehydration solutions like for mild to moderate dehydration.
When you're dehydrated, water alone is not enough. Your body needs the perfect balance of sodium and glucose to help you absorb fluids. This is essential to support your overall health and immune system.
2. Tap Water
Tap water is a piped water supply that undergoes filtration and comes out of your faucet. It’s filtered to remove harmful pathogens, nitrates, and contaminants like pesticides and heavy metals. Most countries have their own water quality treatment guidelines for filtration systems and disinfection processes.
While generally safer than many other water sources, tap water can have a chemical taste. That’s because water treatment plants use things like chlorine to disinfect the water.
Unfortunately, many minerals are also removed during the filtration process, so plain water doesn’t contain many electrolytes.
3. Bottled Water
Bottled water is a popular choice thanks to its convenience. It’s easy to add a water bottle to your work bag or gym bag. That way you don’t have to worry about finding a water fountain — especially if your adventures or work bring you into the great outdoors. The downside is that plastic bottles are bad for the environment, and bottled water is more expensive than tap water. Plus, it doesn’t contain the electrolytes your body needs for hydration.
Whether you’re drinking from the tap or popular bottled water brands like Evian and Dasani, use an electrolyte powder like DripDrop. That way you can get enough water and the right amount of electrolytes you need to avoid dehydration.
4. Spring Water
Spring water, which comes out of the ground from a spring, is also known as natural mineral water. It hasn’t been processed as heavily as tap water. It doesn’t contain additives like chlorine that are used to treat municipal drinking water sources.
Spring water is regulated by the United States FDA and must contain more than 250 parts per million total dissolved solids. Total dissolved solids are anything other than H2O molecules — they usually include salts and minerals. This type of water tends to have higher amounts of minerals, including calcium, potassium, and magnesium. However, it can also have large amounts of arsenic, which may cause cancer and other health risks.
Again, spring water doesn’t have many electrolytes, which are essential for defeating dehydration.
5. Artesian Water
Artesian water comes from aquifers that are located deeper than traditional groundwater or well water. It’s usually found in rocky areas and also has high mineral content. In addition, it’s rich in fluoride and sodium bicarbonate — two minerals that support dental and bone health. While it has larger amounts of minerals, the type and amount of minerals varies greatly depending on the source of the water. In many cases, artesian water doesn’t have the right balance of electrolytes your body needs to tackle dehydration.
6. Alkaline Water
In general, the pH of drinking water is neutral. Alkaline water has a higher pH level — generally between 8 and 9.5. This kind of water has been approved in Japan for medical use, particularly for gastrointestinal diseases. While it’s marketed heavily as being better than traditional drinking water, most studies have shown mixed results. Alkaline water doesn’t have a high mineral content, meaning you won’t get a ton of electrolytes drinking this type of water.
7. Distilled Water
Distilled water is boiled into a vapor. The steam is then condensed back into liquid form and repackaged. This is because contaminants tend to be heavier than water. They also have a higher boiling point. By boiling the water, water molecules turn into vapor, leaving potential impurities in the original container. So, the vapor that is turned back into water should only contain water molecules. Unfortunately, it has fewer health benefits than electrolyte water.
How to Know If You’re Dehydrated
We all know how vital water is for human health. That’s why dehydration is a serious concern. It can cause long-term side effects and even death if left untreated. Fortunately, there are several signs you can look for.
Once you identify the signs of dehydration, you can spring into action. Here are the signs of to be aware of:
Decreased urination or dark urine
Constipation
Low blood pressure
Dry skin or dry mouth
Extreme thirst
The Best Water to Drink for Health
While some waters have magnesium and potassium, the amounts can vary dramatically. Some spring and artesian water sources have large amounts of potassium, while others may have very little potassium and larger amounts of other minerals. The composition of the spring water depends on the surrounding rock and environment.
Your body needs a precise balance of these minerals, including sodium, chloride, and potassium. That’s why a solution like DripDrop is the best choice. DripDrop contains a unique balance of electrolytes that your body needs to defeat dehydration. With this formula, your body can get the electrolytes it needs so you can avoid and fend off dehydration.
Doctor-developed DripDrop allows you to alleviate mild to moderate dehydration outside of a hospital setting, without the need for costly and painful IV therapy. Our formula is powerful enough to help patients suffering from dehydration caused by Ebola and cholera but safe enough for everyday use. Plus, DripDrop tastes amazing and comes in a variety of flavors you can enjoy hot or cold.
Manage Dehydration With DripDrop
When it comes to hydrating and managing dehydration, the healthiest water includes a rehydration solution like DripDrop. It contains a precise balance of electrolytes that your body needs to address dehydration.
For cases of mild to moderate dehydration, DripDrop is a fast, effective, and great-tasting remedy. The convenient packaging allows you to have DripDrop when you need it, where you need it.
Get started with our most popular multi-flavor pouch for dehydration relief fast. Or, learn more about how you can save up to 25% on every purchase when you subscribe.
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