Hydration
Hydration is key to effective training. From a health aspect
though, there are some pretty major differences in the types of waters
you can put into your system. Since I do this stuff for a living,
I keep tabs on brands of waters and lab results. My clients all
receive the reports as so desired.
Let's look at one important aspect of water. It's PH level.
It's pretty important. A low blood PH (under 7.2) usually
represents sickness. Alcohols, Coca Cola and other sugary junk
drinks all have PH levels in the acid range. Your water should
attribute to a healthy PH blood balance. Remember that your body
uses it's water supply to make blood. Now a low PH does not always
mean that the water is unhealthy. It's just that your body will
have to work a little harder to "restore" its healthy balance.
Most municipal tap water supplies come in around 6.4 to 6.7 (as do the
"tap in a bottle" brands from Coke and Pepsi).
Now that I'm on the subject of "tap in a bottle" brands, do yourself a
favor and stay away from the brands that spend more on advertising than
the waters even worth. Aquafina and Dasani have the same Acidic PH
as tap water and is the same water they use to make Coke and Pepsi.
They send it through a filter and then sell it as "refreshing". I
really can't even provide clients with reports because the water comes
from 33 different public faucets!
Here are some results of locally available water:
| Brand |
Source |
PH |
Average Cost
(1.5L) |
| Trinity (either one) |
Underground well (2.2 miles deep) |
9.6 |
About $2.50 |
| |
|
|
|
| Penta Ultra Premium |
Public but water is
cleanest known |
6.0 |
About $4.00 |
|
Tipperay |
Ireland (found in Irish pubs in Westchester & NYC) |
7.7 |
varies |
|
Fiji |
Fiji |
7.5 |
1.59 |
|
Vittel |
France (high in calcium!) |
7.5 |
|
| Smart
Water |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| Probably want to stay away from
these: |
|
Poland Spring |
Maine and another location |
5.5 to 6.95 |
90 cents |
|
Great Bear |
|
6.7 |
90 cents |
| Dasani |
About 30 or so public faucets |
~6.4 |
90 cents |
| Aquafina |
About 30 or so public faucets |
|
|
| Coca Cola |
Coca Cola taps |
2.5 |
Pay with your health! |
| |
|
|
|
| Sparkling Waters |
| San Pellegrino |
Carbonation added |
5.10 |
1.59 |
| Perrier |
Naturally occurring carbonation |
5.45 |
1.59 |
| |
|