First, I want to talk about how to calculate your water, then discuss what kind of water we drink and why. How much water do you actually need? Here is the exact formula, really, it’s simple math. Calculate it and you’ll know for sure.
- Your weight. The first step is knowing your weight. The amount of water a person needs varies with their weight, the more someone weighs, the more water they need. A two-hundred-pound man and a hundred-pound woman require different amounts each day.
- Multiply by 2/3. Multiply your weight by 2/3 (about 67%) to find your daily target. For example, if you weigh 175 pounds, you should be drinking about 117 ounces of water every day.
- Adjust for activity. Adjust that number for how often you work out, since you lose water when you sweat. Add 12 ounces for every 30 minutes of exercise. So if you work out for 45 minutes, add 18 ounces to your daily intake.
Now that you know how much water you need, let’s talk about what kind, and why all the hype. There are so many kinds of water to choose from these days, and all the information floating around can bring unwanted stress. I’m going to simplify it and keep it transparent, crystal clear, like a good glass of water.
What is carbonated water?
Carbonated water is water infused with carbon dioxide gas under pressure. This produces a bubbly drink also known as sparkling water, club soda, soda water, seltzer, and fizzy water. Apart from seltzer, carbonated waters usually have a little salt added to improve the taste, and sometimes small amounts of other minerals. Natural sparkling mineral waters like Perrier and San Pellegrino are different, they’re captured from a mineral spring and tend to contain minerals and sulfur compounds. Tonic water contains quinine along with sugar or high-fructose corn syrup. So is it good for you? Yes and no, it depends on the kind and what sugars or additives it has. I love the stuff myself, and I go with a zero-added-sugar brand to keep my water intake up all day. A little mineral content is a good thing, which brings me to my next point.
High-pH (alkaline) water, good or bad?
(This is the water at my office and the spout at home.) The “alkaline” in alkaline water refers to its pH level, a number from 0 to 14 that measures how acidic or alkaline something is. A pH of 1 is very acidic; a pH of 13 is very alkaline. Normal drinking water is about a neutral 7, while alkaline water is typically 8 or 9. Some advocates believe it can help neutralize acid in the body. But pH alone isn’t enough, truly alkaline water also contains alkaline minerals and a negative oxidation-reduction potential (ORP). The more negative the ORP, the more antioxidizing it is. Keeping your alkaline levels balanced is a good way to fight off sickness and, in my humble opinion, to keep your homeostasis in line.
What about distilled water?
Distilled water may lack the minerals of spring and mineral water, but distilling can remove toxic metals and chemicals. If you go this route, industrially distilled water is best. The catch: distilling also removes healthy minerals the body needs, so drinking it long-term can lead to mineral deficiencies. And once it meets the air, distilled water absorbs carbon dioxide and turns acidic which adds excess acid to the body. For those reasons, distilled water is last on my list.
What’s up with reverse osmosis?
While not as beneficial as live spring water, filtered water is far better than none. Reverse-osmosis filters are excellent for purifying water, they remove many contaminants left behind even after carbon filtering, creating fresh, healthy drinking water. People who prefer spring water like its natural minerals (which many feel improve flavor too), while those who prefer purified water like the strict quality standards, lower cost, and availability. One option trumps most bottled water, including spring and purified: home-filtered water. What bottled-water companies don’t advertise is that the bottles themselves can leach chemicals into the water, chemicals linked to serious health conditions.
So what does Carmen recommend?
Now that you have the facts, here’s what I think. Skip tonic water, high-fructose corn syrup is something I cut from my diet years ago (note to self: a post on sugars is next!). Avoid drinking from plastic bottles. Instead, get a spout and fill up on reverse-osmosis or high-pH water from your local grocery, refill once a month and you’re golden. Spring water can get pricey for everyday use.
I personally love sparkling water, choose whatever you can find with no added sugar. If plain water is hard to drink because you don’t love the flavor, this is a great option, as is infusing your water with a little juice or lemon. Another favorite tonic: sparkling water with half a cup of your favorite 100% juice and a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Use vinegar “with the mother” and you actually make a probiotic drink; add lemon to soften the flavor. Apple cider vinegar also helps keep your alkaline levels on track.
Well, there you have it. Please let me know if you have any questions about water, and remember to drink plenty before your massage. If your water intake is low and you haven’t had regular massage, your muscles can release toxins into your bloodstream; with regular massage and good hydration, you’re completely fine. To stay consistent, scroll back up and run your water formula so you know your daily intake.
Namaste’,
Carmen