Library of Blogress: Healthy Living Information

Though many do not consider water a food for the reason that it does not furnish energy, it nevertheless constitutes a large part of the body, and is as necessary to life as any other element which enters into its composition. The importance of pure water can hardly be exaggerated. That which comes from springs is usually considered the most wholesome. Well water, in numerous instances, has been found to be about as pure, though where a well is located adjoining outhouses–stables, privies, etc.,–there is always very serious danger of their impurities contaminating the water. The water supplied in cities, though in some instances very bad, is usually far better than the well water secured in such localities.

Referring to the mineral waters that are on sale everywhere I would say that as a rule they cannot be commended. About the only advantage possessed by these waters is merely the fact that one drinks a larger quantity of them than ordinary water, and the body is thus flushed and cleansed. If one would simply se- cure some pure water and by adding salt or any harmless element that will cause him to drink largely increased quantities of it, exactly identical results can be produced, to those brought about by the use of mineral waters. The principal ingredient in most of these mineral waters which causes one to largely increase the amount used, is salt. This may have an advantageous influence, upon the system when the body is filled with impurities, as the purifying quality of salt is well known, though some hygienists claim, probably with grounds for their conclusion, that salt if used continually in great quantities, has a tendency to dry up the tissues. The best way to judge as to the purity of the water is to carefully note as to whether it has the slightest taste, and if there is no indication of this, you can depend upon its purity. Of course where one’s taste has been blunted by over-eating and other intemperate indulgences it would be difficult for taste to distinguish the difference.

Most sedentary workers do not drink sufficient water. It is a well-known fact that a certain quantity of liquid is necessary to the proper circulation of the blood, and to enable all the organs of the body to properly perform their functions. In diseased conditions of all kinds the drinking of copious draughts of water will, in nearly every case, be found productive of beneficial results.

Distilled water can be recommended, and an apparatus can be bought which will furnish it, but it is well to remember that distilled water contains no minerals of any character, and numerous authorities maintain that a certain amount of mineral elements in water is advantageous. I would call attention to chapter referring to mineral food elements.