It’s important to stay hydrated, and water is the best drink for good health. But, all water is not equal, and standard tap water usually contains dissolved minerals, including calcium, iron, potassium, sodium, magnesium, and more. It is true that these minerals can be good for our health, but the uptake from water is not efficient. In this article, we will take a closer look at electrolytes and minerals for a healthy body.
What are Electrolytes?
Electrolytes are essential minerals that conduct electrical signals in our bodies that are required for many bodily functions, including hydration and muscle contraction. This is why electrolyte laden sports drinks are a popular option before and during a workout. There are electrolytes in tap water; they enter the water supply via soil and rocks that have come into contact with water after it falls as rain. Water is a highly effective solvent, and many substances that it passes around are added to its makeup. Sadly, this includes agricultural and industrial waste, sewage, chemical byproducts, and other contaminants. Drinking water that has electrolytes is not dangerous, but drinking water with high electrolyte concentrations can taste bad.
Why Should I Remove Electrolytes from Tap Water?
There are a few good reasons why you might consider removing the electrolytes from your tap water. First, those on a low-sodium diet may want to avoid drinking water that contains too much salt. Secondly, if you’re training for prolonged periods, you may find it easier to consume larger volumes of water if they don’t contain electrolytes. There are a few ways to remove electrolytes. You can let the water sit for 24 hours and avoid drinking the minerals at the bottom of the glass. Another option is boiling the water for ten minutes, letting it cool, and then drinking the water. A final and more practical method is to install a water filter in your home that will remove unwanted electrolytes and other contaminants.
What About the Removal of Essential Minerals?
Although the electrolytes in tap water are essential minerals, they are not a great option for optimal health. Why? Well, the uptake of these minerals is extremely inefficient; you would need to consume very large quantities to derive any health benefits. The best way to consume vitamins and essential minerals in your food. Plants are more efficient when it comes to absorbing minerals, and consuming plants is the best way to access their health benefits. When you drink water, the true need that’s being met is hydration. You can add fruit, juice, or other healthy additives to boost the nutrition content, but this is an added bonus.
Which is the Healthiest Water?
This is a deep topic, but bottled mineral and spring water is expensive and hard to store. Many mineral waters are not much better than tap water, and they are not worth the cost. A better option is to install a reverse osmosis (RO) filter to remove the contaminants, and you can add your favorite fruit juice to create an isotonic sports drink.
If you want to install a RO filtration system in your home, contact your local water treatment system.
By EcoWater Systems.
EcoWater Systems of Nebraska is the largest water treatment company in the state and is a member of Water Quality Association.