Water 101
Water is life, as they say, but is all water created equal? We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but it is not! If you are wondering what type of liquid you should be drinking daily, the answer is always a resounding and simple water, but there are further steps you can take to achieve greater hydration.
On average, men should be drinking 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids a day and women about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) daily. Water ranging the mid to upper alkaline markers is best and filtering to avoid any of the many contaminants present in modern supplies is always a huge plus. The PH of water is simply it's acid/ alkaline scale. Water may serve different purposes based on where it falls on this scale, so there is always an application for most types.
Skin Care
When washing your face and caring for your skin externally, the best type of water to use, if the option is available, is slightly acidic. Your skin falls in the 5.5 range on the alkaline/ acid chart and typically does best when washed with water of similar acidity- not alkaline. Drinking enough water throughout the day will ensure proper hydration, resulting in great skin. Not only does water keep skin hydrated and youthful, but it also helps detoxify the body by flushing out toxins. Toxins in the body can often result in poor skin appearance as they make their way out of the body through the skin itself.
Plastics
Drinking bottled water from the store can sometimes be done with health in mind, but it gets expensive quickly. Most bottled water is acidic or with sodium added for flavor, which is counter-intuitive when drinking for hydration. Buying spring sourced glass bottled water can be effective, but finding a reliable filtration system at a grocery store near you can make it easy to maintain a full stock of water in your home at all times without maxing out your budget. Storing in glass can be a wonderful option if you have the ability to move and pour from containers effortlessly, but if you don't, storing water in BPA free plastic bottles can be just as efficient and far less hazardous. These bottles can be found at many stores at an affordable price. Reusing water bottles is an incredible practice that will have a massive impact on the health of the environment when done over a consistent basis. Please keep the earth in mind and drink responsibly!
Filters
Water filters can be the perfect solution to better quality water without the hassle. If you find you are too short on time to refill your water bottles at the local grocery store when you stop in, water filtration systems will always be there for you. Filters themselves can range in price depending on what they are capable of removing from the water, but most can be ordered online and delivered to your door hassle-free.
Alkaline Test Strips
A great way to get acquainted with the quality of the water available to you is by purchasing alkaline test strips to test the acidity or alkalinity. These tests are as simple as it gets! All you have to do is dip them into a small amount of the water you are sampling, and presto! You have your results within seconds!
Once you have a system in place that provides you with access to clean and refreshing water, you can easily maintain this incredibly healthy and important habit. The simple act of drinking enough water will help decrease inflammation in your body and support the many functions of its systems.
