Is bottled water safer than tap water?

Today, Americans consume the most bottled water of any country.  Bottled water is convenient.  Compared to high-sugar, high-calorie choices, it's a good choice," says Stephen Kay, vice president of the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA).  However, there are concerns with BPAs and other contaminates in bottled water.  According to the IBWA, some 71% of bottled waters users cite quality as the reason for buying.

While the EPA sets standards over drinking water and the FDA has jurisdiction over bottled water (and since the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974), nearly every regulation put forth by one agency has been echoed by the other.  It turns out that approximately 47% of the bottled water sold in the U.S. is tap water that's been purified, according to data from the Beverage Marketing Association.

So how do I choose?  For the sake of this blog, we will discuss healthy drinking water.  In choosing, you want to aim for pH balance and natural minerals.  Distilled water is too acidic and alkaline water is too alkaline. The ideal pH of your daily water should be between 6.5 to 7.5, which is neutral.  When choosing bottled water with the ideal pH, choose a glass container over plastic or buy BPA-free gallon containers and pour into a re-usable BPA-free water bottle.

For variety, try coconut water.  Coconuts are an excellent source of fresh, pure water and electrolytes.  Coconuts are also rich in lauric acid, which is known for its immune-boosting, as well as its antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties so it's an ideal choice when you're sick.

Finally, if you decide to use tap water, you have to know what's in your water. Tap water can contain arsenic, aluminum, prescription and OTC drugs, fluoride, and many other harmful substances.  You should always use a filter that removes the contaminants in the tap water. Try filters such as reverse osmosis, ion exchange, and granular carbon and carbon block filters.

So is bottled water safer than tap water?  It depends on the water source, the container, the pH balance and mineral content of the bottled water, and the method of filtering the water.

*This blog is the opinion of the author and in no way implies medical advice. Information taken from webMD; Mind Body Green; Consumer Reports; and Mercola.com.