Drinking water is one of those things that we all know we should be doing, but seem to have a hard time fitting into our routine. Whether it’s because you think water is just a bit boring, or if you simply forget to keep up the habit, let’s look at some of the benefits of keeping up to date with your aqua intake.
- What are the benefits of drinking water?
- Is all water the same? No, and here’s why
- Ways you can enjoy filtered water at home
Tap water is good, filtered water is even better, so let’s find out the how's, why’s, and where’s of it…
What are the benefits of drinking water?
Drinking water is essential for healthy skin, body, and mind. It not only maintains our body’s natural balance, but it helps us function correctly too. We need to keep our ‘Body Water’, or the amount of fluid in our systems, at a healthy level – at the very least 50%, but closer to 65% or 70% is better.
Without it, you could experience several adverse reactions such as:
- Fatigue is when your body works harder to pump what fluid you have around your body
- Low energy levels as your body work to keep everything working
- Illness due to fewer toxins and bacteria being flushed out away water
- Poor skin health like dryness, dullness, acne, etc.
- Poor digestion, bloating and hard stools as your organs pull water from where they can
- Dark urine and decreased urination as the kidneys struggle to function.
We recommend you drink up your two liters a day and stay hydrated, even when you’re not thirsty. It’s the most straightforward and easy way to keep your body healthy. So, grab your water bottle, down that glass of tap water, and eat plenty of juicy pieces of fruit and veg every day (they count too!).
Is all water the same? No, and here’s why
Drinking water from the tap is the most cost-effective and environmentally-friendly way to stay hydrated. Just fill up a glass and be on your way. Some might be concerned about the quality of tap water, but in reality, it’s perfectly healthy to drink.
Water from the tap
Companies and suppliers use the best water filter services to provide purified and safe drinking water and prevent it from making us sick. The treatment and purification of water not only filter out any visible contaminants, but it also catches those teeny tiny bacteria, viruses, and impurities in natural water that we can’t see.
As an example, you may be concerned about the Coronavirus getting into your water systems. While traces of the COVID-19 virus have been found in water and sewerage systems, WHO confirmed that filtration from your supplier does catch, filter, and disinfect your water from the virus. So really, there are no drinking water coronavirus concerns to be had. Anglian Water and other suppliers have also listed some FAQs to put your mind at ease.
Water at work
If regular filtration from your supplier doesn’t set your mind at ease, there are other professional and personal solutions. We’ll explore the personal ones later on, but first, let’s look at water in office and workplace environments.
Some companies offer bottled water as a freebie to their staff and employees. It’s good in that it encourages people to drink, but the overuse of plastic bottles is not good for the environment. Research says that,
“…it takes the plastic bottle 300 years to degrade and a ton of water is wasted due to it taking three times as much water to produce the bottle itself than it does to fill the bottle.”
Instead, maybe consider using a filter or filtered water system. These are generally much better for the environment and some even come with sparkling and boiling water features. What’s great about them is that there’s no real wastage or anything to recycle – even the heat produced in these systems is recycled for use elsewhere. Plus, it means everyone can access health-boosting filtered water at once, no plastic required or limitations either.
Ways you can enjoy filtered water at home
If your tap water isn’t hitting the spot or you’re fed up with the taste of hard water, there are things you can use and install at home to make your drinking water more palatable and healthier.
The most famous is probably the Brita Filter system. Known to have one of the best filters, the sleek and fridge-friendly Brita Filter Jugs are well-known for filtering tap water of impurities while maintaining valuable minerals. They’re also ideal for reducing limescale and other nasty smells and tastes from your tap water. All you need to do is replace the filters now and then, and don’t forget to recycle them too.
Brita has branched out into other products of late – water bottles, taps, and more, but there are other options if Brita doesn’t float your boat.
Most supermarkets have their own-brand filtered water jugs available for purchase. And you can get some fridges that come with filtered water dispensers too. But we’ve found the best way to up your water intake without really thinking about it, is through a water bottle.
Taking a water bottle with you wherever you go can increase your water consumption and, as a result, your health. Drinking becomes a habit when there’s a bottle on hand all the time, so why not amp it up and get a filtered water bottle so you can have fresh, filtered water, no matter where you are?
You can get a filter bottle to carry around with you for as little as £9, but there are more swish digital filters out there if you want to splash the cash. There are a few good options to start.
At the end of the day, we need to drink water – even if it’s only from the tap. It’s just that filtered water tastes so much better and can encourage us to drink more, which will only improve our overall health. So, drink your two liters from the tap where all the hard water purification work of the suppliers can be seen, or go for water filters and bottles instead. Either way, soon you’ll see for yourself what are the benefits of drinking water.