Last week I discovered why water is so beneficial to drink. Next to air, water is the most important substance you put in your body. Many of our present day illnesses, like allergies, cardiovascular stress, asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome, constipation, depression, fibromyalgia, hypertension, ulcers, and diseases caused by viruses, can be tracked back to a lack of hydration. Nearly 2 million visits to the doctor a year are for constipation problems. A good place to start your wellness program is to drink more water and exercise.

But issues surrounding the water we drink, or the containers they come in, are concerning. After decades of splurging on sodas and other high-sugar and caloric drinks, many people have a resistance to drinking “boring” water. This week I’ll focus on how to navigate these issues.

Water Quality Concerns
There is growing concern about finding pure water. Most of our water contains chemicals, not only chlorine and fluoride, but other toxic compounds such as PCBs, pesticide residues, nitrates, and heavy metals like mercury, lead, and cadmium. Chlorine, a low-cost disinfectant, is added to our water because it effectively kills all the well-known pathogens. But it is a known carcinogen and may be interfering with your metabolism.

I encourage you to get your tap or well water tested by contacting your local water company. Reverse Osmosis systems provide a consistent and good water filtration system. If you drink bottled water, the best choice is the one labeled purified water. Even better is purified water that has been cleaned through a reverse osmosis system.

Water Container Concerns
Recently, hard plastic reusable water bottles were pulled from the market because of the bisphenol-A (BPA) in the plastic. BPA is an estrogenic compound commonly found in polycarbonate plastics, food containers, and resin products.

Concerns about the health effects of BPA have been growing. These include breast and prostate cancer, hormonal problems, the increasing prevalence of obesity and type II diabetes, and immune system effects. Eastman Tritan™ is now manufacturing most of the new bottles. The bad plastic has been replaced with a safe BPA-free plastic made of copolyesters.

I like Klean Kanteen products. The bottle is made of lightweight, 100 percent recyclable, high-quality, and food-grade stainless steel. It’s BPA-free, dishwasher and microwave safe, and reusable. But probably the most economical bottle is produced by Aladdin, which can be purchased at Kohl’s. Aladdin’s Clean and Clever® water bottle is made of the new plastic called Eastman Tritan™copolyester and is BPA-free.

Make Water More Interesting
For those of you who are used to flavored drinks, drinking adequate water doesn’t need to be tedious. Try some of these recipe tips to make water tasty.

Carol Bennett is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Clinical Nutritionist with more than 25 years of experience. She is a consultant at the Institute for Health Realities, where she develops personalized nutritional plans for her clients based on their health history and blood chemistry.

Recipe For:     Refreshing Water 

Ingredients:
1 gallon purified water
½ lemon, sliced
½ lime, sliced
2 mint leaves
½ cucumber, sliced

Directions:
Add fruit and ice to water.

Recipe Tips:
For variety, add pineapple, strawberries, peaches, cantaloupe, or watermelon can be added to water.

Read more:
To determine how much water you should drink every day, see How Much Water Do You Need?

For the scoop on healthy (and unhealthy) beverages, see Beverage Buzz: Know What You're Drinking and Here's to Healthy Beverages.

For other keys to a healthy life, see Secrets of Good Health.