FACTS, MYTHS & MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT OUR DRINKING WATER BY ZAZA ALI
A few important factors to consider when deciding what type of water you purchase and / or consume:
Unfiltered tap water, or water from your home faucet, should be considered hazardous to your drinking health as it likely contains parasites, chlorine, fluoride and dioxins.
Dioxins are bi-products of the manufacturing process and can include herbicide production and paper bleaching. Fluoride has been placed in public drinking water under the guise of strengthening tooth enamel while being deemed as safe for consumption. In the US, 70% of public water supplies are fluoridated which equates to roughly 185 million people.
Fluoride has been proven to accumulate in the kidney’s which excrete (release through bodily fluids) only about half of the ingested fluoride. The remainder accumulates in the body, mostly in the bones and pineal gland. Fluoride has been found to reduce melatonin production and also leads to an earlier onset of puberty. Experiments done on animals have shown that fluoride accumulates in the brain & alters mental behavior in a manner consistent with a neurotoxic agent.
Distilled water is thought to be a better alternative to tap water. Distillation is the process in which water is boiled, evaporated and the vapor condensed. Distilled water is free of dissolved minerals and, because of this, has the special property of being able to actively absorb toxic substances from the body and eliminate them. Studies validate the benefits of drinking distilled water when one is seeking to cleanse or detoxify the system for short periods of time (a few weeks at a time).
Fasting using distilled water can be dangerous because of the rapid loss of electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride) and trace minerals like magnesium, deficiencies of which can cause heart beat irregularities and high blood pressure. Cooking foods in distilled water pulls the minerals out of them and lowers their nutrient value.
Distilled water is an active absorber and when it comes into contact with air, it absorbs carbon dioxide, making it acidic. The more distilled water a person drinks, the higher the body acidity becomes.
Spring water is sometimes called artesian water, ground water or well water. The EPA defines it as water that comes from an underground aquifer. Springs for spring water can form where there is any rock, with limestone being a common case in much of the United States. I recommend Crystal Geyser Spring Water. It tests at a pH of 7.5 which is considered neutral / healthy for consumption.
“Alkaline” refers to water’s pH level, the number that measures how acid (toxic / unhealthy) or alkaline (oxygenated / healthy) something is on a scale of 0 to 14. Something that has a pH of 1, for example, would be extremely acidic, while something with a pH of 13 is considered to be very alkaline.
Alkaline water is “purified” through a reverse osmosis process, and depending on the brand, may have additional minerals added for health benefits. Beware, some bottled waters that claim to be pH beneficial like Aquafina and Dasani, are nothing more than tap water ran through a reverse osmosis process. I recommend (and drink) Essentia Alkaline Water or Waikea.
Drinking too much Alkaline Water may disrupt the body’s normal pH. Alkalized water should be balanced out with spring water such as Crystal Geyser mixed with chlorophyll to add natural, alkaline balance to your drinking water.
Water treatment facilities in the US are supposed to purify surface ground water, as well as treat water passed through the sewage system to make accessible for consumption. Substances said to be removed are solids, bacteria, alga, viruses, fungi and minerals such as iron and manganese. Recent studies have shown that hormones from human excretion – derived from birth control pills, prescription drugs and pesticides, make their way back into the tap / drinking water found in many US homes.
Home filtration systems can eliminate trace elements found in pharmaceuticals and other toxins such as chlorine. These systems also eliminate bodily contact (showers, baths) with toxic elements found in water. Filtration pitchers can also be purchased for “cleaning” tap water for drinking. Remember, no filtration system can guarantee that it will rid your home of 100% of impurities found in tap water.
The plastic used for most bottled waters is known as Polyethylene Terephthalate. This can be confirmed by finding the number listed on your bottle. Note – all plastics are not created equal. Cheaper bottled waters generally use a cheaper more generic plastic. Regardless, NEVER leave a plastic bottle of water sitting in the sun.
Exposure to sunlight leads to the leaking of a toxic substance known as antinomy. High temperatures, extended shelf life and exposure to sunlight depreciate water pH and can culminate to create an extremely dangerous toxin. I recommend not purchasing water from stores where water may sit for extended periods of time.
Do not reuse plastic water bottles. Purchase glass or stainless steel water containers. NEVER store water (or anything being consumed, or COOK) in aluminum.
If you are storing water in your home in case of an emergency, please research how to properly store water for long periods of time. Plastic bottled water may not serve you well depending on how, where, and how long it’s stored.
A lot of bottled water is tap water bottled and resold. Some alkaline water is tap water ran through a reverse osmosis process, which can deplete water of it’s natural minerals. Be sure to research what is available in your area, making sure that your selected brand (or process) infuses your water with electrolytes (minerals). This is critical to healthy hydration.
Chlorophyll is green pigment (melanin) found in algae and plants. It is referred to as an “internal deodorant” as these plant cells store the sunshine and make it available for our consumption. It is also recognized as a superfood. I highly recommend adding chlorophyll to your spring (or even tap) water to stabilize the alkalinity of your drinking water. If can also be added to smoothies.
Water is life. Our bodies require it to not only live, but to function at a high, optimal state. Many people complain about bottled water being a scam, but the truth is we don’t have a lot of options. There are ways of creating your own home filtration system, using methods such as charcoal. Research what is best for you. Stay aware and informed.
Peace and Love,
ZaZa Ali
This is an except from my Ebook Practical Steps to Health and Well Being. Get your copy here http://www.ZaZaAli.com
