Bottled, Filtered Or Tap: Which Water Is Healthiest?

The debate over water continues, as brands of bottled water begin adding fluoride and minerals such as magnesium sulfate, potassium chloride and salt.

Experts disagree on which type of water is best, bottled, filtered, or just plain tap water. According to a licensed acupuncturist and a physician of Chinese medicine, the best water comes from the Earth's oldest sources, such as frozen glacial waters. This "structured water" has the greatest benefit to human health. Purified water is cleaner, but it does not contain any natural minerals.

In addition to bottled water, home water purifying systems are readily available. They can cost anywhere from $20 to several hundred dollars. Reverse omosis systems are costlier, and can remove everything from bacteria to toxins. Some industry experts maintain these systems are only for serious water quality problems. Direct faucet filters are less expensive and use granulated activated carbon filters. With a regular filter change, they remove chemicals, parasites, metals, and even e-coli.

With so many choices, it's no wonder that the decision on drinking water is so confusing. What everyone can agree on is that consumers need to be educated about the water they're drinking.

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