What Kind of Water is Best to Drink?

With over two-thirds of our body made up of water, it's importance to our health is undeniable. Most of us recognize the importance of consuming enough water (8 to 10 glasses per day), but the quality of this water is often overlooked. The best water to drink is naturally filtered and full of minerals.

Before reaching for your faucet, ensure the water available in your home is treated. Prolonged consumption of chlorine, used to disinfect the water, has been linked to an increased risk of cancer. Tap water has some mineral content, picking up magnesium and calcium through the waterways, but is minimal in comparison to mineral water.

The distillation process removes any solid residues from the water, removing all mineral content. Distilled water is available as a cheaper, bottled alternative to mineral water.

When drinking bottled water, mineral water is the best option. Body Ecology claims some brands simply purify and re-package tap water lacking in essential minerals. Check the nutritional information on the packaging to ensure you are getting mineral-rich water. Toxins from plastic bottles can leach into the water, so drink from glass bottles whenever possible.

The best type of water to drink is naturally filtered, mineral rich water from wells, natural springs and natural underground mineral water reservoirs. These types of water contain minerals such as potassium, sodium and magnesium -- all vital for helping your body perform optimally.

If cost or location makes consuming mineral-rich water difficult, using a filter is a good option. Standard filters such as those made by Brita help reduce the chlorine content and improve the taste, but also reduce the mineral content. Absolute 1 Micron Filtration, available in some water filters, removes all particles the size of one micron and larger -- leaving the mineral content untouched.