Water, Water Everywhere... Nor Any Drop to Drink!

How Pure, How Clean, How Safe is Your Drinking Water?

The human body requires water. There are no ifs, ands or buts about it. Adults need an average of 30 mls (one ounce) per kg (2.2 pounds) of body weight, so a 220 pound person would need 100 ounces or twelve and a half cups per day. We need more under certain circumstances such as increased losses (vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, athletic exertion), hot weather and increased protein intake. Water intake can be in the form of different beverages, although I recommend the majority come from purified water which I will address shortly. I focus on purified water, particularly REVERSE OSMOSIS purification, because it has been found to remove radioactive elements such as Strontium 90 and unwanted pharmaceuticals that make their way into our drinking water.

Healthy beverages would include tea, coffee, lemon and limeade, fresh vegetable and fresh fruit juices. Many fruits and vegetables themselves have an impressive water content. As far as those healthy beverages, I recommend making tea and coffee, hot or cold, from purified water and certified organic sources, especially if having them daily. What about caffeine? Do you like it? Do you need it? My professional opinion is that small doses are not unhealthy and can actually enhance athletic performance and mental clarity. HOWEVER, if you rely on caffeine for "energy" or alertness then it is an unhealthy state to be in. If your energy system is short circuited, then you need nutrition support, not caffeine support!

A maximum acceptable level of caffeine would be 100-200 mg per day if that level is tolerated. How much is that in beverage intake? Well 8 ounces of coffee can contain 100-200 mg of caffeine; 8 ounces of brewed tea 40-120 mg, while iced tea may contain less; dark chocolate may contain 21 mg per ounce while hot chocolate will only contain 9 mg or so per 8 ounces. 12 ounces of cola and caffeine containing soda can contain 20-71 mg, but most soda drinkers have much more than 12 ounces per day!