Water

According to Ayurveda, the basis of life is explained by the five elements (ether, air, fire, water, and earth), which are found in our universe and are understood by the qualities that surround us in nature (hot-cold, wet-dry, heavy-light, mobile-stable, etc.).

Water is actually “pure” water but can contain many of the same impurities found in drilled wells or tap water. Natural spring water is derived from an underground formation in which water flows naturally to the earth's surface. Spring water must be collected only at the spring or through a subterranean formation feeding the spring. The term “100% pure” refers not to the absence of impurities in the water but to the source of the water itself.

Ayurveda understands water in the body in five distinct ways, known as the five types of the Kapha dosha:

First, water protects the mouth and the actions of chewing while breaking down food.

Second, it protects the stomach against acids and aids with digestion.

Third, it stabilizes the flow of neurological impulses and protects the nerves and brain.

Fourth, it protects the joints from friction in motion.

Fifth, it protects the respiratory system from the drying movement of breath.

Water contains calcium, magnesium, sodium, copper, selenium, and potassium and is responsible for bone and cardiovascular health, boosting immunity and supplying antioxidants. Electrolytes protect all biochemical reactions in the body, filling the spaces in and between cells and forming structures of larger molecules such as protein and glycogen. Water is also required for digestion, absorption, transportation, dissolving nutrients, and eliminating waste products.

Human requirements for water are related to metabolic needs, are highly variable, and depend on individual metabolism. Solid foods contribute approximately 20 percent of total water intake; the remainder comes from dietary intake. The average person loses three to four liters of fluid daily from sweat and bowel movements, and the water vapor from breathing is responsible for one to two liters per day. Exercise can increase the rate of water loss. As your fluids drop, it causes blood volume and blood pressure to drop, which can cause the concentration of salt to increase, and your brain triggers thirst.

Swelling, inflammation, and water retention could also make you drink more water, and consuming salty or dry foods can deplete fluid levels. Dehydration causes poor circulation, poor digestion, and fatigue. Many practitioners believe you should consume half your body weight (in ounces) of water or other beverages per day. It is believed that drinking a cup of warm water upon awakening will start your elimination process, and a cup of warm water 20 minutes before eating can improve digestion. But, ice water will slow the digestive, assimilation, and elimination processes. Excessive drinking causes excessive urination and the loss of important electrolytes. Much controversy exists about tap water quality, but most municipal water sources are considered good quality.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates public drinking water sources and production, and the American Water Works Association (AWWA) is responsible for the quality and standards of local water supplies, providing annual reports on their quality. The FDA oversees the bottled and processed water industry, which is worth $16 billion per year.

Types of Water

Tap Water is processed using basic filtration techniques, like sand, which filters out the big pieces of stuff floating down the river. Flocculation (chemicals) is added to the water to get smaller particles to coagulate and float so they can be removed, and chlorine is added to kill bacteria and microorganisms. According to the EPA, tap water is, in most cases, potable (drinkable).

Spring Water is actually “pure” water but can contain many of the same impurities found in drilled wells or tap water. Natural spring water is derived from an underground formation in which water flows naturally to the earth's surface. Spring water must be collected only at the spring or through a subterranean formation feeding the spring. The term “100% pure” refers not to the absence of impurities in the water but to the source of the water itself.

In most cases, spring water is pumped into large tanker trucks and transported to a bottling facility, where it undergoes carbon and microfiltration processes to remove chlorine and other impurities.

Filtered Water is typically municipal tap water run through carbon filters to remove the chlorine and sometimes through a micron filter before being bottled. In general, it’s not much different from many spring waters from a “natural” source, but it goes through minimal filtration and is bottled and shipped to market.

Purified Water represents the fastest-growing segment of the bottled water industry because it’s purer than other types of water. Once the municipal source water enters the bottling plant, it goes through several processes, which include ozonation, reverse osmosis, distillation, or deionization, which ensures and meets the purified or sterile standard of the FDA. If you’re buying water for higher quality and higher purity, then purified water is your best.

Distilled Water is processed by distillation, where the pure water is boiled to remove contaminants. These contaminants are inorganic materials, minerals, metals, etc., and have a very high melting point. As the water (with its contaminants) is boiled, the pure water turns into steam and is captured and cooled.

Mineral Water is natural water containing no fewer than 250 parts per million of relative mineral and trace elements from its natural source. No minerals are added to this product.

Sparkling Water can either be from a natural source or carbonated (carbon dioxide gas has been added under pressure), making it effervescent. In some cases, additives such as sodium chloride or sodium bicarbonate are added.

Artesian Water is the same as other types of groundwater, but the difference is how it gets to the surface. An artesian well doesn’t require a pump to bring water to the surface; this occurs when there is enough pressure in the aquifer (water-bearing rock) to force the water to the surface without any assistance.