Water

Question
QUESTION: Is boiled water healthy and free of chlorine and other additives?

ANSWER: Dear Wanda,

Boiled water cannot really be deemed healthier than unboiled water; it does not do anything to the chlorine or heavy metals, and other pollutants including added fluorine (in some countries). It can "soften" the water if you live in an area where water is naturally hard:  the high temperature does something to the limestone (as you can tell from scale in your kettle or around your hot water taps).

The quality of tap water varies greatly per country, but also per region and city. Not ever waterboard is entirely honest or accurate about the actual composition of the water they supply, and there is reason for concern and critical comments on the quality in many places.
But we ought not to complain too much, in the light of horrific shortages alltogether elsewhere.

You probably know that boiling water is essential in some parts of the world to kill off germs. It could be recommendable to boil water for two minutes wherever you live, to get rid of bacteria that live in your tap or pipes, or water tank. It is also not sensible to use (cook) with hot water from a boiler since some bacteria thrive in warm water.

From a more esoteric perspective: water has a memory and it retains all sorts of 雗ergy. Homeopathic remedies use this principle as a fundamental. So, in a way, its "history", and geography, makes a difference, which sensitive natures can be sensitive to. The principle of Spas work more concretely with the notion that many different waters have many different healing properties. Not all are actually "healthy"! Some are almost dangerous! (full of sulfur etc). But they could affect healing, when prescribed by professionals.

Back to the mundane world of your kitchen again: carbon water filters claim to reduce the level of heavy metals, including chlorine. You can have small ones in cannisters, or ones fitted to your tap. Personally, I do use them and find they improve the flavour of my tea and soups. I even water my plants with this water. Sceptics feel they do little to chemically improve the quality of water in any significant way - while they can be fairly pricey in the long run. Other chemical analyses do provide some scientific evidence underpinning efficacy.

When it comes to drinking plenty of water, I prefer bottled water. In many (civilised) countries the quality of tap water is simply not superior enough to be considered valuable to your diet or cleansing. Especially during a fast, I would recommend mineral water. One cannot say outrightly that tap water would be detrimental to one's health however, and many feel mineral water in bottles is a bit of a decadent luxury (maybe even rather bad for the environment, considering the packaging and transportation etc). Also, note one cannot buy bottled water indiscriminately: babies, for example, require a very low mineral content, and kidney patients must look for water low in Natrium and potassium. But for some patients and infants (vulnerable groups) bottled mineral water may be healthier than tap water, at least from an alternative nutritional point of view.

There is water available which has been filtered extra well, but is not specifically from a mineral source (like a mountain etc). It comes from a well, rather. This will be a cheaper kind and more environmentally conscious according to some. Sometimes it helps support developmmental projects.

Whatever you choose, make sure you do drink plenty of water every day. However, excessive amounts (a litre of bottled water on top of other drinks is sometimes suggested) is, in my view,  not always recommendable, since constant detoxing is not natural and can actually strain the kidneys and tax the metabolic system after a while. At the same time, water as a drink is often regarded interchangeable with other (non-alcoholic) fluids including the amounts found in foods; but this is taking a rather chemical approach to nutrition.

Stay healthy,
Best wishes,
Evelyn.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your quick response.  All the info you provided will be helpful.  Right now I am trying to eat more healthy and boost my very weakened immune system.  We are now drinking Fiji and Evian water.  Because of my weak system and need to improve my health quickly, would you recommend I use this water for all food and drink preparations?

Answer
Dear Wanda,

Very glad to be of any help. I am very fond of Evian myself, but am unfamiliar with Fiji. Evian is even sold in healthfood stores in Europe. But I would NOT use if for all preparations. It really is important to consider this type of great mineral water of additional nutritional value. You would lose a lot of its more delicate properties by boiling, for instance and not gain much over otherwise filtered water. Tea may even not taste better for it: with the minerals colouring the nuances too heavily. Also, there may be a risk of over-mineralisation, which could lead to kidneystones or other calcifications. Excess is never sensible.

If you were to live in an extremely heavily polluted area, then you would need to use large (several gallons or litres) of bottled water, which is extra filtered but not mineralised. Otherwise tap water is fine. The quality of your water by the way, has a minimal effect on your immune system per se, however, an awareness of the different qualities of water does.... to appreciate the subtle difference you need to see nutrition from a holistic perspective. This is how mineral water becomes a nutritional DRINK and several glasses a day a real source of well being.

I would recommend it for diluting fruit juices (for children)and Evian, for example, or another mountainous, or even more Northern, but more local water, is a great way to mix up an elixer, like sloeberry and seabuckthorn (orange duneberry for a super immune booster (throughout winter time). Other pure (cran, black, redcurrant, blue) berry juices can be lengthened to (tart but very healing) drinks with mineral water to really help underpin forces of life and earth.


One final pointer: don't forget to locate the root cause of your weakened immunity: not all weaknesses are best treated with the fairly cooling element of mineral water. Too much water and especially mineral water can actually aggravate certain conditions (but not many!).

Wishing you much sunny force on this Solstice day to help you recupe your health,
Love Evelyn.

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