Common Water Myths

• I am getting hydrated from soft drinks, coffee, beer and other beverages.
  
  

  Most of us believe that because beverages other than pure water are made up mostly of water, we are getting hydrated by drinking them. In many cases, the opposite is true. All other beverages are solutes (containing materials or other dissolved solids) and many are diuretics (which may dehydrate the body). Water containing a large amount of dissolved solids does not have as high a driving force to exchange cellular fluids as efficiently as pure water.




• Mineral water is better than ordinary water.
  
  

  We believe you absorb most of your minerals from plant material (green leafy vegetables), not from water. Over time, ingesting large amounts of inorganic minerals from other sources may create health complications.




• Alkaline (high pH) water is healthier than other waters.
  
  

  Adding or retaining only negatively charged mineral ions produces high pH (alkaline) waters. This negative charge is immediately is neutralized when the water enters the acid environment of your mouth or stomach, providing little or no health benefit for electrolyte charge.




• Distilled water is dead water.
  
  

  It is true that distilled water does not posses a positive energy state in NMR-017 testing, however it is important to understand that distilled water is generally very clean. "Purified" bottled water is produced using reverse osmosis, a method of cleaning water that is very effective at removing dissolved solids. Many water companies, however, add back minerals for taste. While Penta water does not add minerals to its water.




• 8 glasses a day is the right amount of water for everyone!
  
  

  The amount of water you should drink depends on your size, activity level, age and other factors such as diet and stress level. A 120 lb female living in a temperature-controlled environment does not require as much water as a 250 lb male doing vigorous physical activity. As a baseline, you should try to drink at least half your weight in ounces a day. For example, if you weigh 180 lbs, you should try to drink 90 oz of water. You should increase consumption during periods of increased physical activity or other physical stress.

Water Magic

• The body is made up of mostly water.
  
  

  In fact, so is our entire world. Water is the universal solvent that makes life possible on our planet. It is critical to all life forms and vital to maintain life and health. Choose your drinking water carefully.




• Your body’s ability to carry oxygen increases with hydration.
  
  

  Water makes up the majority of the liquid (plasma) portion of blood. Water is the principal medium for all bio-chemical reactions in the body. Your body’s vascular system is what carries oxygen to and from our tissues and removes waste. Adequate arterial blood volume helps the body to maintain a higher alkaline state in the blood stream, which in turn helps the hemoglobin bind to oxygen. Your body’s feedback systems maintain blood pH at alkaline levels of 7.2 to 7.4, a narrow range. When the blood pH is closer to 7.4, the binding capacity of hemoglobin is increased, and the blood carries more oxygen to the cells. Water does not add additional oxygen to your blood stream, as the amount of dissolved oxygen in any water is not sufficient to add any appreciable amount of oxygen to your body.




• Cellular function improves with improved hydration.
  
  

  Hydration is the key contributor to cellular mass (volume), which is directly related to cellular function. Cells exchange fluids through active channels known as aquaporin. The rate of exchange is affected by osmotic drive, the push of a clean solution into solute (clean fluids into concentrated fluids). Better hydration makes more clean solution available to the cells, increasing the osmotic drive.




• The water in living foods is magic for your body.
  
  

  Humans evolved eating large amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables. Your physiology is adapted to a diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables, and when it does not get adequate amounts, your body needs supplemental sources of water. Most diets are low in fresh fruits and vegetables and pure drinking water. Juices are a good source of live plant cells, although homogenizing can break down the cell walls and reduce the juice’s benefit. We recommend a balanced approach; water is not the answer nor is food. A balanced approach of proper nutrition, hydration and exercise is recommended by most health care providers. You should always check with your health care provider as to diet and exercise changes prior to making them.




• Drinking adequate amounts of water throughout the day will help your body function at optimal levels.
  
  

  Unlike camels, people require constant hydration throughout the day to help maintain optimal health and energy. By drinking water every 20-30 minutes, your body will maintain adequate levels of hydration and optimize your physiological function. When in doubt, check with your health care provider.