When I was growing up drinking bottled water was unheard of. Literally. As in no one had ever heard of bottled water because it didn’t exist as a commonly consumed commodity. Sure there was mineral water. You would fill gallon jugs up to go hiking or camping where there wasn’t a stream, or maybe–maybe–you might be able to find gallon jugs of water on sale at the grocery store or general store nearest to your campsite. But the whole phenomenon of bottled water had definitely not taken off. Unfortunately US industry, and industries around the world did some stuff in that generation that pretty much made untreated water unsafe for everyone. Which is sad. But I think that’s why the packaged, purified stuff started taking off.
Everyone needs water to stay healthy and prevent dehydration. A person’s water needs depend on many factors including health, activity level and location. No formula fits everyone, but the general guideline advises drinking eight glasses of water a day.
Where people get their water affects their health as much as the amount of water they drink each day. Some people drink water straight from the tap. Others prefer the taste and convenience of bottled water. Either method is acceptable for meeting daily water needs, but many people are not satisfied with “acceptable.” Health-conscious people want the best drinking water they can find for themselves and their families.
The Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) test is the standard used to determine the general quality of drinking water. “Dissolved solids” are the salts, minerals, metals and other substances dissolved in pure water. The TDS test measures the weight of these substances per volume of water. The measurement is normally expressed as milligrams per liter (mg/l), but it may also read as parts per million (ppm).
The EPA was directed to set standards for radioactive materials under Reorganization Plan No. 3 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
According to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards, drinking water is limited to a TDS concentration of 500 mg/l or 500 ppm. Water with higher TDS levels may contain excessive amounts of minerals or harmful chemical.
High levels of aluminum, arsenic, mercury, chloride and cyanide are some of the undesirable elements in drinking water. Not only do they make the water taste bad – salty, bitter or metallic – but they also interrupt the flavors of food and drinks. Additionally, these elements can make the water smell bad.
Water serves many important functions in the body and makes up 60 percent of a person’s body weight. Every organ and body system depends on water to carry nutrients, flush out toxins and remain hydrated.
High TDS levels in drinking water contaminate its purity and can harm the body. Although the body eliminates most of these minerals and chemicals, some of them remain where they cause numerous health problems. Gallstones, kidney stones and joint pain are often associated with excessive mineral levels in the body. Elevated TDS levels also contribute to cardiovascular problems.In addition to carrying healthy nutrients to all parts of the body, water is necessary for cleansing the body of toxins.
What constitutes “pure” water? How does someone choose the best water to drink? The answer to these questions lies in both quality and taste.
A quality bottled water should not only tastes good, but it must also meets all state and national quality standards. In the United States, this means all bottled water must meet the standards set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA protects consumers through bottled water regulation.
Pure water has low levels of TDS. Because there is very little mineral content, it has practically no taste and feels light or airy in the mouth. This water may taste somewhat sweet, but it will not distort flavors and smells of food other other drinks – in fact, many experienced wine tasters already know this and prefer low TDS waters when tasting wine.
Below are some of the top brands of bottled water and the Total Dissolved Solids Levels*;
Evian: 310 mg/l
Fiji: 230 mg/l
Canadian Gold: 220 mg/l
Voss: 44 mg/l
Atagi: 2 mg/l
*sources:
- http://atagiwater.com/total-dissolved-solids/
- http://water.epa.gov/drink/index.cfm
Categories: Green Living, Guest Posts | Tags: Bottled water, drink water, Food and Drug Administration, Total Dissolved Solids | Permalink