Water and the Human Body
Function of Water in the Human Body
The human body is estimated to be between 50-70% water. Different organs and parts of the body are composed of varying percentages of water, but there is no doubt that water is essential to the function of the human body. Within the body, water helps to regulate body temperature and water is the major medium for transport, moving nutrients throughout the body and moving waste to be disposed. For the body to maintain prime functionality, one must replace about 2.4 liters of water daily, through ingesting liquids and the water content in food. (1)
Whatever way one consumes their water each day, it is still recommended that one drink plain water every day. It has been commonly recommended that a person drink eight glasses of water a day, but research has found that number to be a little on the high side. (2) While water is found in most beverages sold on the market, such as coffees, teas and soda, bottled water is the best source of the necessary nutrients.
Whatever way one consumes their water each day, it is still recommended that one drink plain water every day. It has been commonly recommended that a person drink eight glasses of water a day, but research has found that number to be a little on the high side. (2) While water is found in most beverages sold on the market, such as coffees, teas and soda, bottled water is the best source of the necessary nutrients.
Bottled Water
History of Bottled Water in the United States
While companies like Poland Springs have been around since the mid 19th century, the bottled water industry in the United States did take off until more recent years. Perrier was the first company to advertise bottled water on TV in 1977. The ad featured Orson Welles talking about Perrier’s spring in France, and the ad created a U.S. obsession with not only Perrier’s bottled water, but also a whole series of merchandise produced by the company. Since Perrier started the madness for bottled water in the U.S., beverage companies such as Coke, Pepsi and Nestle, have all joined the bottled water market. Today the bottled water industry sells almost 10 billion gallons of water yearly. (3)
Types of Bottled Water
There are four main types of bottled water as described below; spring water, artesian water, mineral water, and purified water.
Spring water- water that comes from an underground aquifer and is collected from a natural spring or pumped up from the aquifer by a well. Artesian water- water that is under natural pressure and thus flows to the earth’s surface on it own and is collected by a pump or well. Mineral water- water that naturally contains a high level of minerals such as, calcium and sulfate. Purified water- water that is treated by heat or a filter to remove certain minerals. (4) Bottled Water vs. Tap Water
Is bottled water or tap water healthier? Both are regulated strongly by the government, to ensure safety, but beverage companies are responsible for their own testing of their water. (4) There is no real way to know exactly what is in the water you drink unless you test each bottle or cup you drink.
Taste
Basically in the end it all comes down to one’s individual taste buds. Some might find one company’s water to have an odd taste due to the type of bottle they use or the mineral content. Others might prefer water with bubbles or not like the taste of water at all. The bottom line is that no matter how you like your water you need to make sure that you are drinking enough.
|
Concept Questions:
1. Should the U.S. Federal Government have more stringent regulations and testing methods on bottled water?
Sources
1. "The Water in You." Water Properties: (Water Science for Schools). U.S. Geological Survey, 31 Oct. 2012. Web. 29 Nov. 2012. <http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/propertyyou.html>.
2. Valtin, Heinz. "“Drink at Least Eight Glasses of Water a Day.” Really? Is There Scientific Evidence for “8 × 8”?" American Journal of Physiology. American Physiological Society, 8 Aug. 2002. Web. 29 Nov. 2012. <http://ajpregu.physiology.org/content/283/5/R993.full>.
3. Moskin, Julia. "Must Be Something in the Water." The New York Times 15 Feb. 2006, late ed., sec. 1: n. pag. Print.
4. Hordon, R. M. 2005. Bottled Water. Water Encyclopedia. 3–5.
2. Valtin, Heinz. "“Drink at Least Eight Glasses of Water a Day.” Really? Is There Scientific Evidence for “8 × 8”?" American Journal of Physiology. American Physiological Society, 8 Aug. 2002. Web. 29 Nov. 2012. <http://ajpregu.physiology.org/content/283/5/R993.full>.
3. Moskin, Julia. "Must Be Something in the Water." The New York Times 15 Feb. 2006, late ed., sec. 1: n. pag. Print.
4. Hordon, R. M. 2005. Bottled Water. Water Encyclopedia. 3–5.