Depending on the article you read, water constitutes 60-70% of our body weight. Different organs contain different amounts of water weight, with the brain being composed of up to 80% and bones around 30%. Water is essential for life and the major roles includes flushing out wastes from the body, regulating body temperature, improves blood oxygen circulation, aids in digestion and there are many, many other life-sustaining functions of water.
If we turned the clock back to the 1960’s-1970’s, water was something we obtained from the faucets at home. On the present time, the “water aisle” at the supermarkets stretch the entire distance of that aisle and include bottles water, mineral water, spring water, carbonated water, flavored water, electrolyte water and vitamin water. Did I leave anything out? The bottled water industry in the U.S. sells about $20 BILLION dollars a year of products.
So, if you are on a weight control journey and following our recommendation to drink at least 64 ounces of water a day, what is the “best” water to drink? Here are my thoughts:
Concerning carbonated waters/sparkling waters, studies have shown that there is NOT an increase in bone decay brought on by these drinks. There were some earlier reports that some phosphorus in the carbonation would bind to calcium and lower bone strength but this does not seem to be the case. Some people with irritable bowel syndrome do not do well with carbonation, as this may cause increase bloating and gas. Obviously, people with these responses to carbonated water should stay away from their use.
How about flavored waters? Studies have not shown any health detriment with the use of these. Vitamin waters? There are not enough Vitamins in these to provide the full range of our daily vitamin needs/requirements. Mineral waters? There are no studies that show any health benefits. Spring waters? Once again, no reported health benefits.
This all brings us my answer concerning the “best” water and here goes: From a health standpoint, there is no water better than another. A $20 billion dollar a year industry has been created on a bunch of hype. However, if drinking a flavored water or carbonated water gets you to drink more water in general, then go for it…no harm, except to your wallet.
And as an aside, one of my fondest memories of childhood was watching my old relatives drink seltzer that came in bottles delivered weekly that had the old fashioned spray delivery systems. The carbonation was under tremendous pressure and one gulp of this seltzer produced the loudest burps I have ever heard. We would laugh like crazy.
