Water
Water is vital for our health and well being. We can survive weeks without food but only a matter of days without water. Our bodies are generally made up of up to 75% water. People with more body fat may have a lower percentage of water, because adipose tissue (fat) has little blood flow and therefore reduced water content.
We need to be hydrated in order to function optimally.
Click here for some facts about the importance of hydration:
- Research shows that dehydration (not enough water) can adversely affect physical performance, visuo-motor, psychomotor and cognitive performance (1)
- There is increasing evidence that even mild dehydration can contribute to the development of various diseases. Studies have indicated that even mild dehydration is associated with broncho-pulmonary disorders, asthma brought on by exercise and cystic fibrosis (2).
- Dehydration can be used as a reliable predictor of impaired cognitive status, increasing frailty, deteriorating mental performance and poor quality of life (3).
- Research has shown that there is an association between a habitually low fluid intake and some cancers, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, impaired cognitive function, alertness, ability to concentrate, tiredness and headaches (4).
The point here is that water is important and necessary to maintain health, obviously. The greatest concern today in this modern world is the quality of the water. Water can be the most perfect fluid or it can actually be toxic, loaded with heavy metals. Tap water these days normally contains an array of chemicals, toxic metals and bacteria that may not be beneficial to you. The constituents of tap water vary depending on where you live, but tap water may contain chlorine, fluorine, nitrates, oestrogens and pesticides. These chemicals are unacceptable.
For these reasons, when on the run with work and kids, Gillian usually goes for bottled still water, no fizz. The bubbles can adversely affect digestion. So still water is best.
Gillian has recently had a water filter system installed. A good water filter system can actually be healthier than the bottled water. If the filtering system takes out the heavy metals, pesticides, and toxic chemicals from the water, then this is your best route.
By far the easiest way of ensuring that you and your family are drinking pure water is to have a water filter fitted into your kitchen. A good filtering system in your kitchen can remove more contaminants than jug filters and it’s far less likely to provide breeding grounds for bacteria.
Another benefit is that in the long term a fitted filter system will save you money and deliver cleaner water too.
Average costs of water per litre
Based on average usage of 250 litres per month
* Cost based on recommended filter replacement at retail prices.
** Includeds electrity costs at £0.088 per KWH.
*** Based on supermarket own brand
-
other brands can be up to
three times more.
Other advantages of a fitted water filter include:
- A continuous supply of fresh filtered water.
- No lifting or transporting of water.
- Environmentally friendly since you don’t need the bottles.
- Saves space since you don’t need to find the storage places to store the bottles.
- Improved taste and odour.
- Filters out most chemicals, toxins and heavy metals.
- Reduced lime scale accumulation in taps and kettles.
- Litre for litre the water is far less expensive.
- You can save quite a bit of money
- Fitted water filters are easy to maintain, with simple to fit filters that only need changing every 6 months.
References
1. Grandjean AC, Grandjean NR, Dehydration and cognitive performance, J Am Coll Nutr. 2007 Oct;26(5):549S-554S
2. Manz F, Hydration and Disease, J Am Coll Nutr. 2007 Oct;26(5):535S-541S
3. Wilson MM, Morley JE, Impaired cognitive function and mental performance in mild dehydration, Eur J Clin Nutr. 2003 Dec;57(2):S24-9
4. Maughan RJ, Impact of mild dehydration on wellness and on exercise performance, Eur J Clin Nutr. 2003 Dec;57(2):S19-23
