Question: I have read good and bad things about distilled water. I’ve heard drinking distilled water causes an unsafe rise in the body's acid levels and can ruin cardiovascular health. I don't want to drink tap water, or any bottled water that has additives. And I’ve heard spring water is sometimes just filtered tap water. What do you recommend?
Dr. Hibberd’s answer:
Distilled water will not harm you in any way or disturb your cardiovascular health. No data supports this ridiculous claim. Much bottled water is just tap water that has been bottled in plastic containers. Spring water varies according to where the source is and can contain trace elements of some minerals. Well water should always be tested if used.
Many tap water supplies are excellent sources of water. It does not contain bisphenol A (BPA), but does have fluoride (to protective to teeth) and healthy trace elements and minerals. Do not overlook your municipal supply which may be excellent, and perhaps better than bottled water of any kind.
My biggest concerns about bottled water in plastic are the potential for BPA exposure, if the source of the water is unknown, and if it does not contain protective fluoride, which has been shown to effectively retard and prevent cavities especially in growing children as well as in adults.
Filtered water often has passed through a water softener and may contain levels of sodium and salt that are excessive when used as part of a whole-house system. But the carbon filters used for filtration at the faucet outlet are very effective and do not add a salt load to your water.
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