You can’t talk about fasting or beginning a journey to live a healthier lifestyle without discussing water. Water is one of the most essential things a person needs to survive. Everyone probably already knows that your body is made up of mostly water (about 75%). We can go weeks even months without food, but we can only go a few days without water. Since water is so important, don’t you think we should find out what kind of water is the healthiest water to drink? If you think all water is the same, you better think again. All water is not the same. In all my experience with fasting and juicing, I always thought that distilled water was the healthiest water to drink. I’ve learned that is not entirely true. I hope I can help you understand a little more about the importance of drinking water and what type of water to drink when fasting and in everyday life.
Different Types of Drinking Water
There are several different types of water used for drinking. There is drinking water, purified water, 
spring water, artesian water, alkaline water, mineral water, sparkling water and blah, blah, blah…LOL! I’m sorry, I got a little annoyed by my own list, but I digress. There is also reverse osmosis, deionized water, and distilled water. Let’s not forget the cheapest of all, tap water and well water. I believe out of all these options, hard water is the healthiest water to drink. Now hold on! Before you get rid of all your bottled water, there is something you should know about hard water. Most hard water is full of nutrient rich minerals that are so good for our bodies. The problem is that it is also full of contaminants that are harmful to our bodies.
Minerals
There are seven macro-minerals that are important to helping our bodies function. There are even more trace minerals (more than thirty) that research has discovered. Iron and iodide are an example of just two of them. They are also very important to keeping our bodies and minds functioning in tip top shape. We ingest minerals through water and other liquids. We also ingest them through the food we eat. I’m going to try not to get into chemistry too much, but we usually absorb them in ionic form or we ionize them in the gut. Our hormones and other nutritious properties cause our bodies to direct the mechanics of this process and help us retain and absorb this minerals. This is one reason why good nutrition is so important. A lack of these minerals can cause various illnesses and diseases. Some minerals are not good for you. They may possibly only be needed in small amounts. These minerals are lead, cadmium, aluminum, arsenic, and mercury. Large amounts of them are poisonous to the body. There are other minerals that we need that help eliminate these toxins.
Contaminants
Our water gets contaminated a couple of ways. One way is run-off from farms and gardens. Cities use horrible chemicals in our tap water to treat the water. This makes it safe for washing clothes, cleaning your dishes, washing your car, etc. These chemicals are not safe for us to drink. For example, chlorine is used to disinfect the water. It may remove harmful substances that can make us sick, but chlorine itself can also make us sick. Short range affects may not be noticeable, but long term effects can range from food allergies, birth defects, as well as asthma. Another example is fluoride. They add fluoride to prevent tooth decay, but it actually does little to help with this. It is an enzyme inhibitor that contributes to bone loss and deformities, cancer and a lot of other illnesses.
Bottled Water
First of all, let’s just address the issue of plastic. It’s bad. We’ve all heard how the chemicals from the plastic seep into your water. A chemical called BPA is one of the worst. It is an endocrine disrupter. That means that it interferes with the body’s natural hormones. I plan to give you more information about that later. You should do the best that you can to avoid water bottled in plastic. Water bottled in glass, stainless steel, or other similar containers would be a lot safer, if you can afford it. Make sure you do your research about bottled water. The quality varies widely and there is no guarantee that all the contaminants have been removed.
Spring, Mineral, and High PH Water
A lot of people believe that spring, mineral, or high ph water are the best waters to drink. All of these waters are hard waters. High PH water has a PH level of around 8 or 9. This makes it more alkaline and is believed to help with the acidity levels in your body. If the PH in your body is more on the acidic side, your body is prone to several chronic illnesses. It is thought that these illnesses can not survive in an alkaline environment. High PH water may be good to drink after a hard workout, but generally, you don’t want to try and change the PH of your body. Your body strictly regulates that. You really want to strive to consume water with a natural balance of minerals.
Reverse Osmosis, Deionized, and Distilled
Reverse Osmosis water uses a process that removes the bad contaminates we don’t want in water as well as a lot of the minerals that we need from water. When you see labels like “purified’ water or even drinking” water, it was probably processed in this manner. This is 
actually a great alternative if you don’t have hard water available. You should purchase some good. quality trace minerals to add to this water or take a mineral supplement. A lot of times you can get this water from stores for less than a dollar a gallon, so it is a cheaper alternative. Also, if you are concerned about the environment, this method would also keep all those plastic water bottles out of the land fills. You can purchase BPA free 5 gallon jugs to purchase this water from places like Whole Foods or even Wal-mart. Another option is to purchase a reverse osmosis system yourself. The natural qualities of water have been altered by this method. Most plants don’t fair well in this type of water. It really is important to add trace minerals form a reputable company to this water. I will admit, this will negate the savings that you may have acquired with this method.
Deionized, or distilled water is pure water. There is nothing in it, just pure two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom. This water can be beneficial in fasting if you have an abundance of minerals in your body. If you are prone to kidney stones or other illnesses or this nature, it may be beneficial to drink this type of water for a period of time.
Well Water
Well water could be a great source of water if you are sure you know what’s in it. Wells tap into water that flows underground, which falls in line with drinking water with good minerals and trace elements in it. The problem is, that it could also be contaminated from chemicals and pesticides that have seeped into the ground from poor human choices. I would recommend getting your well water tested so you can be confident that it only has the good stuff in it.
Hard and Soft Water Filters
Hard water is the healthiest water to drink if it is treated with a filter. The best type of filter to buy is one that runs the water through two filtering processes. One process will remove impurities, heavy metals and chlorine. The second filtering process will remove most of the fluoride. There is no perfect solution, but I do believe that this type of filter is as close as you will get.
Softened water will increase your sodium intake. Sodium is used to soften the water. It changes the structure of the minerals. An increase in sodium intake can cause high blood pressure and other problems. This water is not recommended.
All Water Is Not the Same
The right kind of water is good for you. Your body needs it. The fact that you can live for a long period of time only drinking water is proof. It’s important for your health to drink it. If you can’t afford or if you don’t have access to spring water, then do the best that you can. All water has its benefits no matter where it comes from. In my research I have found so many discrepancies on what is the best way to consume it. When you find discrepancies as this, look to the Being that created it. Look at the many miracles performed surrounding water. Human beings can’t take what was made for us by a Higher Power and make it better. It’s already perfect. Drink water that is as close in form to the way it was originally intended to be consumed.
I love this article and I completely agree!