What's In Your Water?

Words by Sheila Chau

Most people have heard that you should drink eight 8 oz glasses of water a day to stay healthy and hydrated—but that’s NOT true! There’s no one-size-fits-all to how much water you should be drinking every day. Instead of counting cups, you should focus on listening to what your body needs.

People who exercise more also sweat more, so they will need to drink more water to replenish what they sweated out. Those who live in hotter temperatures may need to drink more water for the same reason. Some medical conditions, like kidney stones, also require you to drink more water. The average human, however, likely gets plenty of water throughout the day—not just from what they drink, but also what they eat! Fruits and vegetables contain water, which helps you from becoming dehydrated. 

Instead of thinking about HOW MUCH you’re drinking, think about WHAT you’re drinking. Did you know that all water is not equal?Some bottled waters contain sodium. Many bottled water brands are stripped of natural vitamins and minerals. Brands like Dasani are actually just filtered municipal tap water.

Your drinking water should contain natural minerals—the nutrients can be beneficial to your health for many reasons. For example:

• Silica protects your heart health by reducing the risk of hardening of the arteries and lowering cholesterol.

• Magnesium aids in transforming other nutrients into energy.

• Calcium is important for strong bones and teeth and preventing osteoporosis.

At Blue Spring Living Water, in Blount County, Alabama, their water comes straight from the source—a natural spring in the Appalachian foothills. The water is naturally filtered, and so pristine that you can see the bottom nearly 35 feet down. Nothing is taken out, and nothing added in. It’s packed with natural vitamins and minerals—like calcium, magnesium, and silica—that are good for your body. 

So it’s time to ditch the idea of drinking 8 glasses a day, and instead start drinking water as nature intended.