Dehydration is much more common than most people realize. In fact, 75% of Americans are actually dehydrated right now! Even mild to moderate dehydration can lead to fatigue, dry skin, loss of appetite, headaches, muscle cramps, chills and nausea. It is recommended that we drink a minimum of half our body weight in ounces of water each day to replace the water lost through the daily activities of living. But not all water is created equal.

He we will discuss the water you should and shouldn’t be drinking:

Unfiltered tap water

The positives of tap water are that it is inexpensive and regulated by the government to be neutral or slightly alkaline on the pH scale with a pH of 7 or higher. However, filtering your tap water is Prevention Magazine’s #1 suggestion for reducing your risk of cancer. This is because municipal tap water is laden with a host of known or suspected carcinogens like chlorine, fluoride, mercury and arsenic along with hormone-disrupting chemicals. Some of these toxic chemicals (namely chlorine, chloramines and fluoride) are actually regulated by the government to be there, despite known adverse health effects. Agricultural runoff, chemical cleaning fluids, and pharmaceutical drugs including sex hormones often find their way into our water supplies due to improper disposal. When the water leaves the treatment plant it must travel miles through pipes which may be old and rusted and leach heavy metals into your water. When we consume water that contains traces of synthetic chemicals, we force our liver and kidneys to be the filter, ultimately damaging or destroying two of our vital organs.

Bottled, reverse osmosis or distilled water

Due to fear of contaminants and pollutants in city tap water and added convenience, many people turn to bottled waters, despite the high cost and negative effect the plastic bottles have on the environment. They are then shocked to find that the cons to bottled water don’t end there. Most bottled waters are nothing more than tap water which has been run through a reverse osmosis filter. Reverse osmosis systems remove the good with the bad, so the end product is actually dead, acidic water which forces your body to leach alkaline minerals from your bones to neutralize it. The pH levels of most bottled and distilled waters usually range from pH 3.0 to pH 6.9! A 7.0 reading would be neutral, and because it is a logarithmic scale, a change of one pH unit implies a tenfold shift in alkalinity or acidity. Anything with a pH of less than 7 is acidifying to the body, which means it creates an internal environment where disease can thrive. Distilled water has this same effect on your body and is not recommended for long-term consumption.

The majority of bottled waters have a positive oxidation reduction potential (or +ORP) value, which means it is oxidizing to the body. A negative ORP is required in order to fight free radicals in the body.

Additionally, bottled waters are not heavily regulated, and there have been more than 100 recalls for bacteria and contaminants. A four-year study by the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) found that one-fifth of the sampled bottled waters contained known neurotoxins and carcinogens such as styrene, toluene and xylene. Another NRDC study found that, out of 103 brands of bottled water, one-third contained traces of arsenic and E. coli. This means that out of a sample of 1,000 bottles sold in the U.S., at least 300 would have some level of chemical contamination. Many of the plastic water bottles that the dead water is stored in for months contains BPA, a suspected carcinogen which can and does leach into your water.
 
A new report on how to reduce exposure to carcinogens from the President’s Cancer Panel suggests that home-filtered tap water is a safer bet than bottled water, and the Environmental Working Group performed a study which determined that the quality of bottled water is often not higher—and is in some cases worse—than that of municipal sources. So despite trying to get contaminant free-water by buying bottled, there are no guarantees except that you will pay more for it than gasoline.

Well Water, Artesian Water, Glacier Water

The water from standard wells contains valuable alkaline minerals and may not have added chemicals like that of municipal tap water supplies, but it also usually contains contaminates and bacterial organisms. Depending on where the well is located, it may be polluted with nitrates form agricultural runoff, arsenic, pesticides, radon, chemicals found in gasoline, etc. Very few regulations exist to govern the quality of private well water supplies, so it is up to the well owner to monitor and test their well water regularly and/or safeguard with a good filtration system.

Artesian water is comprised of naturally pressurized deposits of water that comes up to the surface when a well is sunk, and has the same quantities as those from standard wells. Artesian water is naturally filtered through the aquifer when it surfaces which removes many of the impurities. However, this natural process can require many years, making it harder and harder for the purification process to keep up with the vast amount of contaminates that man puts into the land nowadays.

Glacier water is formed when glaciers melt and the water enters the water cycle. The water is sometimes advertised as being purer than ground sourced water, but where pollutants or precipitation has been combined with water from glaciers, it shows the same impurities as other water.

Spring Water

Pure spring water is difficult to find and sources are limited. Many springs which were once viable are becoming increasingly contaminated. Unless you live next door to a spring, pure spring water is not usually a viable option, and even if you are able to find a reliable source of spring water, you will still be required to filter out the heavy metals. And unfortunately, bottled spring water carries all the same negatives and issues as regular bottled water (outlined above). 

Sparkling/Carbonated Water

In order to acheive the fizzy bubbles found in sparkling and carbonated waters, carbon dioxide gas is dissolved under pressure in water. This carbonation process actually renders the water acidic and is oxidizing to the body, which means it speeds up the death of your cells. This applies to all carbonated drinks including sodas which are actually the worst beverage you can choose to drink, as they most of them are even more acidic than alcohol. All acidic beverages can actually leach minerals from your body, thus weakening bones and connective tissue.

Filtered, alkaline ionized water
 
Chanson water ionizers were created to replicate what happens in nature to unpolluted streams of alkaline water when it runs over rocks and is given a slight electrical charge. Many doctors, scientists, researchers and water experts across the globe agree that filtered alkaline ionized water with a pH of 9.5 is the healthiest type of water you can drink as it provides your body with alkaline minerals which helps neutralize acidity in our every day diet. According to Dr. Robert O. Young, disease cannot thrive unless it has an acidic environment to live and grow in, and by alkalizing our bodies with alkaline water, we are creating a more disease-resistant body. Ionization causes the water molecules to be microclustered, so they are able to hydrate up to six times better than tap or bottled waters.

Alkaline ionized water is also a powerful antioxidant which seeks out and neutralizes free radicals which would otherwise cause damage to cells and bring about disease and premature aging. This is also known as having a negative ORP (Oxidation Reduction Potential). Most tap and bottled waters have a very high ORP, which creates free radicals that actually accelerate the aging process. And alkaline ionized water also delivers an abundance of healthy oxygen to your cells in the form of OH-, which is very stable because it is mated with positively ionized alkaline minerals. Thus, drinking alkaline ionized water results in a body rich in health, oxygen and energy. 
 
You have the choice to continue to consume and to bathe in water that has been processed, chemically altered and deconstructed to a form that bares little resemblance to that which God intended, or to turn the clock back using some very clever science and technology that may improve your health dramatically by merely hooking a Chanson prefilter and water ionizer up to your own tap. Insist on the cleanest, healthiest water available - filtered, alkaline ionized Chanson water.

Tags: Alkaline Water, artesian water, Bottled Water, carbonated water, chanson water, contaminants, dehydration, distilled water, glacier water, Ionized Water, Pollutants, reverse osmosis water, sparkling water, spring water, Tap Water, types of water, water, water filter, well water

The idea of completely changing one’s eating habits to a whole foods, plant-based diet is overwhelming for most people despite the many proven health benefits that may result. Adding to the challenge may be unsupportive household family members who scoff at the idea of eggplant as a main dish for dinner or refuse to even try tofu. In an effort to help, we’ve created a list of nine small, easy, alkaline substitutes anyone can make to improve their alkalinity (some of which you can swap without the family even noticing!). Even if you never make it to the ideal 80% alkaline/20% acidic ratio, these slight changes will be beneficial to your health and won’t feel like much of a sacrifice (if at all).

1. Instead of Vegetable Oil try Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Corn oil, canola oil, safflower oil, and vegetable oil are refined oils that are not healthy and should be avoided and replaced with cold-pressed oils like extra virgin olive oil, grapeseed oil, flaxseed oil, coconut oil and hemp oils. Healthy fats are an important part of an alkaline diet and can be obtained through substituting healthy oils for the more mainstream unhealthy oils. All oils can create free radicals when heated, so we recommend using a small amount of water to steam fry your vegetables and then drizzling oil on top, making your own oil-based salad dressings and drizzling healthy oils on top of vegetable wraps.

2. Instead of Sugar or Artificial Sweeteners try Stevia

Sugar has been linked to cancer and artificial sweeteners are not only acidifying but carcinogenic. Swapping your sugar cubes with stevia, an all-natural sweetener derived from herbs, is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your family. According to Ray Kurzwell, author Fantastic Voyage: Live Long Enough to Live Forever: stevia is highly nutritious, lowers blood sugar in diabetics while regulating blood sugar in non-diabetics, lowers elevated blood pressure, kills bacteria that cause tooth decay, increases energy levels and mental activity, and reduces cravings for alcohol and tobacco. Other natural sugar alternatives: Chicory root, agave nectar.

3. Instead of Table Salt try Sea Salt

Our bodies contain about a pound of salt, and sodium is an alkaline mineral necessary for survival. But the refined iodized salt that sits on most dinner tables in America is completely unhealthy and the type of salt doctors are referring to when they advise patients to cut down on their salt intake. Refill your salt shaker with unrefined sea salt and sprinkle on top of wraps, soups and vegetables. Other alternatives: Celtic salt, Himalayan salt, Real salt.

4. Instead of Peanut Butter try Almond Butter

Peanuts are acidifying to the body and the moldiest, most undesirable peanuts are what is used to make peanut butter. Swap out your P.B. for it’s healthier cousin almond butter, and spread on sandwiches and use as a dip for pretzels, crackers, fruit, and to make smoothies creamier.

5. Instead of Cows Milk try Unsweetened Almond Milk

Cows milk and other dairy products are not only acidifying but contrary to popular belief they actually rob the body of calcium and create a putrid sludge that wreaks havoc on your digestive system. Dump your carton of cows milk and try unsweetened almond milk instead. It is a healthy, delicious, alkaline substitute for drinking, cooking, baking, creamer and making cereal. Other alternatives (buy unsweetened): Coconut milk, soy milk, goat milk, rice milk.

6. Instead of White Rice try Brown Rice

The complete milling and polishing that converts brown rice into white rice destroys 67% of the vitamin B3, 80% of the vitamin B1, 90% of the vitamin B6, half of the manganese, half of the phosphorus, 60% of the iron, and all of the dietary fiber and essential fatty acids. Fully milled and polished white rice is required to be artificially “enriched” with vitamins B1, B3 and iron. Clearly, brown rice is the nutritional winner over white rice. Other alternatives: Basmati rice, quinoa, jasmine rice, wild rice.

7. Instead of Soy Sauce try Bragg Liquid Aminos

Soy sauce is fermented and acidic. A great substitute is Bragg Liquid Aminos, which is a liquid protein concentrate derived from healthy soybeans, which contains 18 essential and non-essential amino acids in naturally occurring amounts, is not fermented or heated and is gluten-free.

8. Instead of Spaghetti try Soba Noodles

Most pastas are made with refined starches that lack nutritional value. Try swapping your spaghetti for soba noodles, tofu noodles, gluten-free pasta, whole wheat pasta or spaghetti squash. You can also try making your own pasta sauce from scratch instead of using pre-packaged sauces which tend to contain sugar and preservatives.

9. Instead of Bottled Water try Alkaline Ionized Water

Not all waters are created equal. Most bottled waters, along with distilled and reverse osmosis waters are actually acidic. Tap water is regulated by the government to be at least a 7 pH which is neutral on the alkaline scale, but is littered with contaminants. Therefore your best option is alkaline ionized water from a Chanson water ionizer which you can hook up to your tap. The water is pre-filtered and microclustered, resulting in better tasting water with a smoother feel that doesn’t cause bloating. It is also rich in antioxidants and able to hydrate and detoxify better than standard water due to its smaller water molecule size. Being properly hydrated is the key to overall wellness and you will not regret the switch from bottled water to ionized alkaline water.

Tags: alkaline lifestyle, alkaline substitutions, almond butter, artificial sweeteners, Bottled Water, chanson ionized alkaline water, milk, oil, pasta, peanut butter, rice, salt, sea salt, soy sauce, sugar, Tap Water

Water is an incredibly important aspect of our daily lives. Every day we drink water, cook with water, bathe in water, and participate in many other activities involving water.

However, even with all of the importance water holds in our lives, many of us know very little about the water we use each day. We drink tap water, enjoying the convenience and cost-effectiveness of this practice, yet, we fail to recognize the serious threat this water may pose to our health. Those who are willing to forgo the convenience of tap water and indulge in bottled water often know very little about the contents of that water and simply trust that bottled water must be better than tap water. Even conscientious consumers, who wisely attempt to treat their own water in an effort to ensure the healthfulness of that water, often know little about the many home water treatment options now available.

A water ionizer turns your tap water into electrically charged alkaline ionized water. This water has a higher pH and helps to remove excess acidity from the body. Bottled water on the other hand are quite acidic and exacerbate the over acidic conditions. Alkaline ionized water is also a powerful natural antioxidant and helps in fighting free radicals. It is also up to six times more hydrating than tap or bottled water. You can no longer afford to remain ignorant about what water you consume and where it is sourced from.

For more information on Alkaline Water and how it is obtained, please visit www.ChansonAlkalineWater.com

Tags: Alkaline Water, Bottled Water, Tap Water, Water Quality

The fact that bottled water is losely regulated in comparison to tap water is getting major attention in the media. The reasons for this spotlight is that it has the potential of having a direct impact on public health. Bottled water is regulated by the FDA where as Tap water supplies are under EPA. As a rule of thumb, there is a positive corelation between better regulation and tougher enforcement of quality standards.

Bottled water manufacturers are not required to disclose as much information as municipal water utilities because of gaps in federal oversight authority, according to reports released yesterday by government auditors.

Bottom line: The Food and Drug Administration oversees bottled water, and U.S. EPA is in charge of tap water. FDA lacks the regulatory authority of EPA, John Stephenson of the Government Accountability Office told a House panel.

The Safe Drinking Water Act empowers EPA to require water testing by certified laboratories and that violations be reported within a specified time frame. Public water systems must also provide reports to customers about their water, noting its source, evidence of contaminants and compliance with regulations.

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Tags: Alkaline Water, Bottled Water, Healthy Water, Public Health, Pure Water, Tap Water