Purified vs Distilled vs Regular Water: What’s the Difference?

Optimal water intake is essential for your health.

Every cell in your body needs water to function correctly, which is why you must continuously hydrate throughout the day.

Most people know how important water intake is, but some are confused over the best type of water to drink.

This article investigates the differences between purified, distilled and regular water to find out which one is the best choice for hydration.

What Is Purified Water?

Purified water is water that has been filtered or processed to remove impurities like chemicals and other contaminants.

It is usually produced using groundwater or tap water.

Through purification, many types of impurities are removed, including:

·        Bacteria

·        Algae

·        Fungi

·        Parasites

·        Metals like copper and lead

·        Chemical pollutants

Several methods are used to purify water commercially and in the home.

In most Western countries, public drinking water is purified to make water safe for human consumption.

However, standards for drinking water around the world vary and are typically based on governmental regulations or international standards.

In fact, the World Health Organization estimates that over 2.1 billion people lack access to safe drinking water.

In countries that purify public drinking water, various treatment methods are used to make water safe, including:

·        Coagulation and flocculation: Positively charged chemicals are added to water to bind with negatively charged particles so they can be filtered out. This forms larger particles called floc.

·        Sedimentation: Due to its larger size, floc settles to the bottom of the water supply, separated from the clean water.

·        Filtration: The fresh water on top of the amount then flows through numerous filtration systems made of sand, charcoal, and gravel. This removes contaminants like dust, bacteria, chemicals, and viruses.

·        Disinfection: During this step, chemical disinfectants like chlorine are added to the water to kill any remaining bacteria or viruses that may have survived the first few steps.

It’s important to note that water may be treated differently depending on the area and quality of the local water.

SUMMARY: Purified water is water that has been processed to remove contaminants like dirt and chemicals. In many countries, tap water is purified to make it safe for human consumption.

Health Benefits of Purified Water

While tap water is safe to drink in many areas, it may still contain trace contaminants.

For example, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets legal limits that are considered safe for consumers for over 90 contaminants in drinking water.

However, the Safe Water Drinking Act gives individual states the ability to regulate their own drinking water standards, as long as they meet the EPA’s minimum requirements for contaminants.

This means that some states have more stringent drinking water regulations than others.

Although measures are taken to ensure that public drinking water is safe for consumption, it can contain trace amounts of contaminants that could negatively impact health.

For instance, the heavy metals lead, and copper are incredibly toxic to health. They can cause stomach distress and lead to brain damage when ingested over time.

These heavy metals have been known to leach into drinking water, even in countries where public water sources are carefully regulated.

By using in-home water filters or drinking purified bottled water, drinking water undergoes another level of purification that can remove metals, chemicals, and other contaminants, depending on the type of purification system used.

Water purification systems like charcoal filters remove chlorine, a common chemical added to the public water supply as a disinfectant.

Several studies have linked chlorinated water to an increased risk of certain cancers, including colorectal cancer.

Another benefit of water purification is that it removes unpleasant tastes associated with chemical treatments, organic matter or metal plumbing, leaving you with fresh, pure-tasting drinking water.

SUMMARY: Water purification removes contaminants that may remain in drinking water and improves water quality and taste.

Potential Downfalls of Purified Water

While purified water has many health benefits, it also has some potential drawbacks.

For example, fluoride is a mineral that is added to public drinking water supplies in some countries to improve dental health and reduce dental decay.

Although this practice has led to decreased tooth decay in children, especially in at-risk areas, some argue that fluoridated water is not worth the potential health risks associated with its use.

Excessive fluoride levels can be toxic to both brain and nerve cells, and long-term exposure to high levels of fluoride has been linked to learning, memory and cognitive deficits.

However, experts argue that the level of fluoride found in drinking water is safe and beneficial in reducing tooth decay, especially in children who are only exposed to fluoride through drinking water.

Research on the safety and efficacy of fluoridated water is ongoing, but those who drink purified water should be aware that some purification systems remove fluoride from drinking water.

Some other disadvantages of purified water include:

·        Upkeep: Water purification systems must regularly be maintained. If not properly managed, contaminants can build up in old filters and leach into your drinking water.

·        May does not remove some pollutants: Although water purification systems remove many contaminants, certain pesticides and chemicals may remain in purified water depending on the type of purification used.

·        Cost: Both installing an in-home water purification system and buying purified bottled water can be expensive, with some systems costing hundreds of dollars.

·        Waste: Buying purified water in plastic bottles leads to a significant amount of waste, as does dispose of used filters from in-home purification systems.

SUMMARY: Water purification may not remove all contaminants from drinking water, and specific purification systems can be costly and involve upkeep. Specific purification methods remove fluoride, a mineral added to drinking water to improve dental health.

Distilled Water Is a Type of Purified Water

Distilled water has gone through the process of distillation to remove impurities.

Distillation involves boiling water and collecting the steam, which returns to pool upon cooling.

This process is very effective at removing contaminants like bacteria, viruses, protozoa like giardia and chemicals like lead and sulfate.

Due to the fact that distilled water is exceptionally pure, it is commonly used in medical facilities and laboratories.

Though drinking distilled water is not as ordinary as drinking other types of purified water, some people choose to drink it because it is free of contaminants.

Benefits of Distilled Water

Water distillation is an efficient way to remove contaminants from drinking water.

Levels of pesticides and other chemicals in public water sources like tap water will depend on your geographic location and the agencies that regulate drinking water safety in your country.

Distilled water is substantially free of contaminants like pesticides and bacteria, which could be especially helpful to those with weakened immune systems.

For example, those with HIV/AIDS and certain cancers are at an increased risk of becoming sick from impurities in food and water and may benefit from drinking distilled water.

What’s more, like some other purification methods, distilled water effectively removes chlorine from drinking water, which can improve the taste of water while decreasing your exposure to chlorine.

Potential Risks of Distilled Water

While distilled water is the purest type of water, it’s not necessarily healthiest.

The distillation process is very effective at removing potentially harmful contaminants, but it also removes the natural minerals and electrolytes found in water.

Along with unwanted impurities, beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium are also left behind as the steam rises during the distillation process.

In fact, distillation typically removes around 99.9% of all minerals found in tap water.

Though water is not usually thought of as a source of minerals, any factor that leads to a decreased intake of essential micronutrients could negatively impact your health.

For example, drinking water that's low in calcium and magnesium has been associated with an increased risk of fracture, preterm birth, and heart disease).

However, it’s important to note that tap water is not a significant source of mineral intake for most people, and drinking distilled water should be relatively safe as long as a well-balanced diet is followed.

Like other methods of purification, distillation removes fluoride from drinking water, which may put those who choose to drink distilled water at an increased risk of cavities.

This makes it essential for those who drink distilled water to maintain proper dental hygiene.

SUMMARY: Distilled water is a type of purified water that is virtually free from contaminants. The distillation process removes fluoride and natural minerals found in drinking water.

Should You Choose Purified Water Over Regular Water?

In most cases, public drinking water sources like tap water are safe due to the strict contaminant limits set by regulatory agencies.

However, drinking water can become contaminated from natural sources or human activity, affecting water quality.

For this reason, it may be a good idea to invest in an in-home water purification system, especially those who are immunocompromised and more susceptible to becoming ill from contaminated water.

In countries where water contamination is an issue, especially in developing countries with lack of proper sanitation, choosing bottled or purified water is always the safest option.

Many types of purification systems are available, including charcoal and UV filters, which remove impurities that may survive the initial, large-scale purification process that most tap water goes through.

That being said, in countries where public drinking water is regulated for quality and safety, drinking tap water is relatively safe.

If you question the quality of your tap water, you can test the water by purchasing a home test kit or contacting a water testing agency in your area.

SUMMARY: Though consuming tap water is safe in countries where drinking water is regulated, water purification may be necessary for areas where water contamination is an issue.

How to Purify Your Drinking Water

Most public sources of drinking water are regulated for safety, but some people choose to use home water purifiers to further improve water quality.

Household water treatment units can improve the taste or odor of tap water and remove specific contaminants.

Point-of-use (POU) treatment systems purify only the water that is used for consumption (drinking and cooking). Point-of-entry (PUE) treatment systems typically treat all of the water entering a home.

POU systems are less expensive and therefore more commonly used in households.

These filtration systems attach to the faucet or sit under the sink and also come in free-standing water pitchers with built-in filters like the popular Brita water filter.

Some refrigerators also come with built-in water purification systems.

Most in-home water filtration systems use the following purification techniques:

·        Filtration: Filtration systems trap unwanted impurities in the surface or pores of an absorbent medium. Charcoal filters fall into this category.

·        Reverse osmosis: These systems use a semipermeable membrane that removes impurities.

·        UV light: UV light filtration systems use ultraviolet light to disinfect water by killing potentially harmful bacteria and viruses.

Depending on the type and model, prices can range from $20 to hundreds of dollars.

No matter what type of filter you choose, be sure to look for brands with certifications from regulatory agencies like the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and NSF International.

These agencies certify that home water purification systems meet or exceed national drinking water standards.

Home water purification systems must be adequately maintained. As a result, it’s essential to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for upkeep, including filter replacement, to ensure that your water is being adequately purified.

SUMMARY: There are many ways to purify your drinking water, including charcoal filters, UV light filtration systems and reverse osmosis systems.

The Bottom Line

Access to clean drinking water is vital to health.

While most sources of public drinking water are strictly regulated and safe to drink, many prefer to drink purified water.

Purified water is relatively safe and may reduce exposure to specific contaminants that can be found in tap water.

Remember that water quality can vary depending on where you live. This should be the determining factor when choosing to drink purified water or tap water.

Just to let you know:

L&G is a small family business, and we always come from personal experience.
 
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L&G - "Life and Greatness Nutrition" 15 years of experience!!!

source : Water  

5 Reasons Why Banana Peels Are Great For Your Skin

Rubbing banana peels on your skin helps reduce aging signs like wrinkles, age spots, and fine lines and soothe inflammation and itchiness due to acne, psoriasis, and eczema. Apart from that, banana peels can also moisturize your skin, reduce puffy eyes, and keep your skin protected from UV rays.

Bananas are great for you to eat. They’re abundantly healthy because of the many nutrients and vitamins they store. The fruit has also, for long, been in use to beautify skin. What’s interesting is that the peel can also be used on the skin for various beauty treatments. Wondering how? Here are 5 great ways banana peels are good for your skin.

5 Benefits Of Banana Peels For Your Skin

1. Reduces Signs Of Aging

The presence of free radicals in the skin results in cell damage. Banana peels are abundant in antioxidants, which when used on the skin combat these free radicals and prevent cell damage.1 The lesser the skin damage, the lesser the signs of aging like wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots. So, use banana peels to make your skin look younger and radiant.

How To Use

Rub the inner portion of a banana peel gently on your skin.

Leave it on for about half an hour and, then, wash with warm water.

2. Relieves Symptoms Of Acne, Psoriasis, And Eczema

Banana peels are said to reduce the inflammation and itchiness that accompanies severe skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis thanks to its abundant antioxidants and potassium. Besides being a natural treatment method for these skin conditions, banana peels are also said to be great for existing scars and marks.

How To Use

Cut a small piece from a banana peel.

Run the inside of the peel gently on the affected areas of your skin till the peel turns brown.

Leave the peel fibers on your skin for about 30 minutes; then, wipe off with a clean cloth dipped in warm water.

Try this thrice a day for a few days, and you’re likely to see your skin clearing up.

You could also choose to leave the peel fibers on overnight and wash it off in the morning.

3. Moisturizes Skin

If your skin is dry, try using banana peels to moisturize it. Banana peels contain potassium, which is said to be great for dry skin.

How To Use

Moisturize your skin by rubbing the inside of a banana peel on it gently. It’s a good idea to cut pieces of the peel to make a rubbing on the skin easier.

4. Eases Puffy Eyes

The potassium in banana peels helps get rid of the external salt on the skin below your eyes that causes fluid retention, which in turn gives you puffy eyes. The peels are also said to be great for getting rid of under-eye circles.

How To Use

Similar to how you would use cucumber slices on your eye, cut up a banana peel into pieces big enough to cover your eyes.

Leave the pieces on your eyes overnight to give you a fresh look the next morning.

Alternative Method

Scrape some fibers from the peel, and mix it with aloe vera gel.

Apply the mixture around your eyes, and leave it on for about 10–15 minutes; then, rinse with cold water.

Repeat this every day for a few days, and you’re likely to notice your eyes looking less puffy.

5. Protects Skin From UV Rays

Banana with its peel contains vitamin C. This makes it a great source of antioxidants, which prevent cell damage – even that caused by the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays.3 So, banana with its peel is a great choice for a natural sunscreen.

How To Use

Rub the inside of a banana peel on your skin gently before you step out into the sun.

Besides these, you could also use banana peels to ward off warts and to get rid of any toxins in your skin. Simply rub a peel on your skin gently. The peels, in general, are said to be quite safe and shouldn’t cause any side effects. 

Remember to use fresh banana peels for beauty treatments.

So, put the peels you would normally throw away after eating the fruit to use and give yourself amazing, glowing skin.

                                                                                                                                                                                              source: BannanaTips

USE GUAVA LEAVES TO BEAT WRINKLES, ACNE, DARK SPOTS AND SKIN ALLERGIES (HOW TO USE)

Many of us have suffered from skin problems be it acne, wrinkles, hypersensitivity, blemishes or dark spots on the face.

Fortunately, other than cosmetic techniques, there are several options that we can use to enjoy their beneficial effects for treating these conditions.

Guava leaves are an effective option in treating skin disease.  Here, you will learn how to use it for four treatments.

Cure atopic dermatitis

Guava  leaves relieve the irritation and redness due to  atopic dermatitis.  They also have anti-allergic properties that hinder the production of histamines.

These are chemicals released in the body when allergic reactions occur, causing the itching, swelling, wheezing and sneezing.

READ MORE ===>>>
✓ 8 Surprising Tips for Efficient Skin Care

Acne Treatments

A study published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine  indicated that guava leaves are highly beneficial against organisms that cause acne,  because they have potent  antibacterial properties.

They not only eliminate the causes of acne, but also soothe  the skin and reduce the occurrence of pimples.

Elimination of wrinkles

It is a proven fact that guava leaves are  more versatile  than the fruit. The  anti- cancer properties in the leaves can effectively fight  free radicals in the body.

The leaves are a strong anti-wrinkle  agent and very effective in improving the health of the skin.

READ MORE ===>>>

✓ 8 Surprising Tips for Efficient Skin Care

Lighten dark spots

They can be used as a toner to get rid of  red and dark marks on the face. They  also destroy  microscopic organisms hence reducing irritation.

Method of treatment:

For treating atopic dermatitis, crush dried guava leaves  and add them to warm water. This will  relieve  itching and reduce redness, making you comfortable.

For the others, take  some guava leaves, crush and add them to boiling water. 

Boil them until the water turns brownish and looks thick.  Remove from fire and set aside to cool.

Using a cotton ball, apply the tonic  on the face.

Leave for around fifteen minutes and then rinse off  lukewarm water. To get the desired outcome, do this treatment twice a week.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                       source: The house Of Health

Japanese Secret of Youth And Beauty: This Natural Mask Removes The Years Off Your Face!

Japanese women are among the most beautiful women in the world, almost all Japanese you see will have a perfect, flawless skin without wrinkles. We are going to teach an old secret that has been keeping the beautiful Japanese women for centuries.

There are hundreds of anti-aging creams sold in the market, but the truth is that none of them works effectively. This is because everything you put on your skin is absorbed directly into the bloodstream. So when you put creams with chemicals on your skin, nothing good will happen, but when you put healthy, natural ingredients in your skin get benefits.

Did you know that rice has been used as a cosmetic healing agent for centuries, and it is quite common in Japanese beauty recipes? It is rich in B vitamins, which stimulate cell growth and repair, slow premature ageing and enhance the supply of blood to the skin — all you need for a dazzling skin complexion.

Arm yourselves with the beauty secrets of Japanese women and prevent premature skin ageing.

To keep the skin in perfect condition and prevent premature skin ageing, Japanese women use a rice-based mask.

His therapeutic facial mask will soon become your favourite, because, after its application, your skin will become soft, light, velvety and radiant. Use high-quality ingredients like rice, milk and honey.

Japanese Rice Mask

1.      You need 2-3 tablespoons of raw rice of your choice and cook until it softens (put raw rice in cold water, gradually heat up until soft). Strain and put the rice water in a separate bowl.

2.      Rinse your rice and add a tablespoon of warm milk. Stir until it is well combined and add a tablespoon of honey.

3.      Apply a generous amount of the mask on your face. Remember to clean it thoroughly before the application.

4.      Carefully remove the cover after half an hour and rinse with rice water.

In addition to these useful properties, rice water is a great skin moisturiser, it is packed with antioxidants and has the ability to absorb ultraviolet rays. It is also able to bind copper, slow down the formation of melanin, and thus prevent the formation of pigment stains and brighten the already existing.

Keep your rice water in the fridge for not more than 4 days. Use it twice a day, in the morning and evening, as a face lotion. Freeze it in ice moulds and use it for facial massages or skin icing treatments.

source: http://www.healthyfoodhouse.com/

10 Proven Everyday Healthy Lifestyle Tips 

1. Practice Healthy Eating.

Healthy Salad Ingredients Wow, is that general enough for you? To put it as simply as possible, eating healthy means not eating the foods that are harmful to your body. But there's more.

Add to your diet the foods that are beneficial to your body. That's not all - how, when and why you eat also affect your health! I give you lots more information and guidance on eating in my eating guidelines, eating tips, and healthy snack ideas pages. Please read them! Educate yourself!

Two Important Eating Changes To Start With:
Eliminate any food containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oil.
Add almonds to your diet (for more info, see my list of healthy food).

2. Drink The Right Beverages.

Orange Juice If you're a soda pop drinker, start weaning yourself off of it. Why? If you drink diet sodas, the artificial sweeteners may be harming your health (my dangerous food additives page gives more info).

All non-diet sodas are so loaded with sugar you'll start your blood sugar on a roller-coaster ride - not good. And the carbonation and phosphoric acid (especially in colas) contribute to osteoporosis, a debilitating bone disease.

A Healthy Beverage Change to Start With:
If you're a soda pop drinker, drink half as much soda as you normally would and start drinking more water (add a splash of citrus or pomegranate juice to it if you don't like plain water).

3. Keep a Food Journal.

Nutrition Journal This is considered by many to be one of the most helpful healthy lifestyle tips. Don't only write down what you eat, but the circumstances surrounding it - where, when, why, how you felt before eating, how you felt after eating, how hungry you were before, how hungry you were after.

If you're eating too much (check out my page on food portion size for more details), or eating unhealthy foods with the knowledge that they're harmful to your health, journaling is an excellent way to understand why you're doing this to yourself. When you figure out why you can help yourself.

Start With This:
Buy an attractive journal that you will enjoy writing in. If you feel like starting to journal about your eating, do it. Write as little or as much as you like. A good place to start? Write a note about what you ate and WHY you ate it (were you hungry, bored, anxious, feeling bad about yourself, wanting to reward yourself?).

4. Supplement with Vitamins and Minerals.

Vitamin Symbols Because of our modern lifestyles and the way our foods are now grown and produced, it's hard for any of us to get all the vitamins and minerals in quantities that will actually benefit us.

Begin With These Supplements:
Start supplementing with Vitamin D, especially if you're dark-skinned, live in a part of the world that doesn't get a lot of suns, or don't spend much time outside (read my page on the Benefits of Vitamin D for more information on this amazing vitamin).
Has your vitamin D level tested if possible? In any event, a good Vitamin D dosage to start with is 1,000 IU per day (go for Vitamin D3).
Calcium Citrate Bottle - Benefits of Calcium
Vitamin D Capsules - Benefits of Vitamin D
Magnesium Chemical Element - Benefits of Magnesium

5. Take Other Proven Supplements.

Two such supplements are Omega 3 fatty acids (found in wild salmon and krill oils), and Turmeric (often found as curcumin in supplement form).

For Right Now:

Start supplementing with Turmeric Curcumin with Bioperine ( black pepper extract). More than 600 health benefits of Turmeric for everything you need to know about this wonderful herb. When shopping for it, look for whole curcumin (rather than isolated), standardized for 95% curcuminoids. Take 400 - 600 mg, two times per day.

6. Move Your Body.

Move Your Body We all need physical activity to stay healthy. You will look and feel better by adding exercise to your daily routine.

If you already have exercise as part of your life, keep doing it. You know that no list of healthy lifestyle tips would be complete without exercise on it!

To Get Started:
If you're new to exercising or simply dread the thought of exercising, refer to my pages on motivation to use and how to start exercising to discover ways to make yourself want to get active. For now, write down at least two ideas you'll use to motivate yourself. Read my page on exercise tips to help yourself overcome any of those obstacles that seem to stand in your way.

7. Get Outside in Nature.

Healthy Life, An important key to a healthy lifestyle, is to be connected to nature and other creatures. For more information on something called Eco-therapy, refer to my page on treatments for depression.

Commit to This Now:
Get outside in nature for at least 15 minutes every day, if possible. Not only is it good for your head, but it's also good for your body (read my page on Vitamin D and osteoporosis to appreciate what I'm talking about).

8. Start Eliminating Plastics From Your Life.

Takeya Water Bottle Healthy lifestyle tips need to take into consideration your physical environment and the products you use. Replace your plastic food storage containers and beverage bottles with glass ones (like the really nice Takeya Water bottle). I talk all about creating a healthy home on my eco-friendly products page.

To Start With:
Toss any scratched plastic containers (my plastic containers page tells you why).
Don't microwave or reheat any more foods in plastic containers or covered with plastic wrap (cover with wax paper or a paper towel or a coffee filter instead).

9. Stop Using Harmful Beauty Products.

Green Cosmetics Facial, Many pages on natural beauty products and phthalates and parabens, give you all the information you need to start making healthier purchases.

Starting Today:

Eliminate all lotions, potions, cosmetics, shampoos, etc. that contain Parabens, Fillers, Lanolin, Artificial Colours, Artificial Fragrances, Petroleum by-Products and Mineral oils!

Replace with healthier options! 

A proven choice with All Natural Skin Products is "Nu Skin" Company. With its 33 years history and 3.6 Billion in revenue. Nu Skin has more than 25 millions customers in 54 countries World Wide. 
Use this Sponsor Coupon ID UKW9486623 when register on Nu Skin.com to buy with 40% off every time when order! 

  

10. Live a Life Full of Meaning and Purpose.

Having to mean in your life is one of the most important, yet overlooked, healthy lifestyle tips. We all need to have a purpose. Without meaning and purpose, you're not really living, you're just existing.

For Now:

Ask yourself the hard question - are you doing what you were put here to do? If not, why. Brought in writing what you want your life to be about. Start the thinking process now!

Walking the Shore
If you've gotten this far, you realize the importance of a living a healthy life. For me, this means doing those things that nourish and protect your body, mind, and spirit. I hope my healthy lifestyle tips above give you a place to start in creating a future that will bring you health and happiness.