One of the most invaluable health lessons we can teach our children is the importance of drinking plenty of water. However, it is not just the quantity that is important; it is the quality that makes a difference, too. Here we take a look at how water filters can improve your family’s health, by providing quality water that not only tastes great, but also has many well-documented health benefits.
Tap water can’t be that bad. Can it?
Unfortunately, sometimes the answer to that question is yes. More people are beginning to question the water they receive through their taps, and they are no longer reassured by the fact that officials declare it safe to drink. If you live in a large city, your water might be subjected to several trips through a sewerage treatment plant before it reaches its destination – your tap. Chemicals are routinely added to the water, such as fluoride, which is used to combat tooth-decay, despite there being very little evidence to suggest we need it; in fact, it is actually harmful if we ingest too much. Chlorine is also added to treat the water, to rid it of any lurking bacteria. If your water tastes a little funky, it is probably down to the amount of chlorine that has been added. It varies from area to area, but if you live near a treatment plant, the taste, and smell, of chlorine could be over-powering. Water filters are the perfect solution if your water is less than palatable, as removing chlorine will improve its taste substantially. Despite being treated with chlorine, tap water still contains potentially harmful substances such as hormones, chemicals, antibiotics and other medicines, all of which can seriously affect our physical well-being.
The concerns about chlorine:
Chlorine is undoubtedly a useful tool against harmful bacteria, one that has been disinfecting our water for decades. For years, people have queried how safe chlorine really is, but information is gathering constantly, and suggests that the chlorine in our water can have far more negative health implications than we may have previously considered. Research has shown that chlorine is potentially harmful, and is linked to serious conditions such as digestion problems, asthma, heart disease and even cancer.
How does a water filter work?
Luckily, there are many water filters available for home use these days. One of the easiest and more economical methods you can do is to use a tap filter, like this one. It works by being placed directly on a tap, and water is passed through a screen that filters any large bacteria, before going through carbon to remove any impurities, such as lead and chlorine. Although almost all filters remove chlorine, some are more sophisticated, eradicating all impurities, leaving the water totally pure. As well as removing unwanted minerals, there are even filtration systems that actually add vital minerals such as calcium, which is essential for the development of bones in growing children.
Filtered water helps sensitive skin:
As well as internal health complications, unfiltered water can also cause, or worsen, serious problems with our skin too. Tap water can make your skin feel dry and itchy, and in particular, can exacerbate the symptoms of eczema. Filtering your water will help remove the contaminants that adversely affect eczema, reducing the symptoms. Another common problem worsened by unfiltered water is acne; research has shown that symptoms of acne reduce significantly when filtered water is used. In general, even without serious conditions like these, your skin will feel softer and more hydrated if you filter your tap water. If you match drinking fresh water with mineral makeup like BareMinerals, your pores will not be filled with gunk, causing less black heads and those pesky spots. Check out their website for their full selection of products.
Similarly, anyone who has spent a lot of time at the swimming pool will know how chlorine can play havoc with your hair, so, imagine the results of using water steeped in chlorine every time you wash it. Continuous use of tap water on your hair can have a damaging effect, leaving it dry, lack-luster and hard to manage. If you already have damaged hair, we recommend Moroccan oil by Beauty Flash cosmetics. Moroccan oil comes from the kernals of the argan tree in, you guess it, Morocco. Its antioxidant properties have been enjoyed for centuries, turning dry and damaged hair into silky and smooth locks.
The importance of staying hydrated:
Most people these days know the importance of staying hydrated, giving your body the amount of water it needs to keep it working efficiently. One of the most important functions of water is detoxification – this is when water flushes the toxins out of our bodies. However, water that contains impurities is simply unable to carry out the job effectively. A lack of the right kind of water can affect our children in ways we may not have considered, as dehydration leads to a severe lack of concentration, which could interfere with how your child manages their school-work. Additionally, not enough water will make a child feel fatigued, with little energy, which might affect how they engage in physical play, perhaps resulting in an under-achievement at sports. A sufficient amount of good-quality water will raise your child’s concentration levels, which will improve the standard of their work, and increase their energy.
Water also plays an integral part in maintaining body weight. If you are dehydrated your body will retain water, causing bloating. Too little water can also trick your body into believing that you are hungry, often exhibited as a craving for water-based foods, which can lead to over-eating. Too much food and not enough exercise due to lethargy, can lead to a significant increase in the likelihood of obesity, especially in children.
It’s fair to say that, up until now, many of us will have rarely given a thought to the water flowing through our pipes. Often, we are lulled into a false sense of security: if the official consensus is that tap water is okay to drink, then surely it must be fine? However, as highlighted above, research indicates that it is not quite as simple as that. Take the necessary steps to ensure that you and your children are not only drinking an adequate amount of water, but that it is the right kind – filtered water will benefit your lives in more ways than you could imagine.