Choosing water over the other types of drinks is one thing but choosing what type of water you’re drinking is another. You may not be a stranger to seeing different variations of bottled water on the shelves, each boasting of having different properties and benefits.

Here, we’ll take a closer look at the common and different types of water that there are, and which is the best one for you. Before you fall for any of their marketing claims, let’s get things straight.

Bottled water

While first impressions of tap water may be that it is less clean than its bottled variant, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards for bottled water requires that it must be just as clean as tap water. In Canada, there are standards that bottled water has to meet as part of the Food and Drugs Act and Regulations and as well as compliance with the Canadian Food Inspection Authority (CFIA). The good thing about bottled water is that it is easy to just “grab and go,” and that it can be found anywhere even when you’re eating outside at a restaurant as an alternative to the soda that is served.

This is obviously the more expensive choice as the Business Insider states that bottled water is 2,000 times more expensive than tap water. Another drawback is that according to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), most bottled waters contain fluoride at levels that are more than what is needed for good oral health.

Raw water

Companies that sell “raw” water often claim that it is the healthier option as it is free from unnatural ingredients or other processing agents found in most bottled water. Similarly these companies claim that raw water, which is commonly sourced from springs, lacks the man-made pollution otherwise found in treated or filtered water.

While this all sounds good, there is no strong published evidence that supports these claims of raw water being the healthier option than treated water. Despite the fact that water in the streams and rivers of the country may look pure, it is still best to be wary because it may have bacteria, parasites, and other contaminants. This water also comes very expensive as well compared to that of the average bottled water.

Sparkling water

This pertains to water that is carbonated regardless if it comes from a bottle, can, or the like. There are a lot of popular brands of plain or flavoured sparkling water found at market shelves and this is also easily made at home with home carbonation systems. This water is appealing to those who may find plain water unappealing as the bubbles make for a more interesting and palatable drink. Fruits and herbs can be added to give the water extra flavouring.

However, just as any carbonated drink may cause gas or bloating in some people, the same can be said for carbonated water. Those with sensitive stomachs may want to exercise caution when consuming this beverage. It is important to keep in mind that a lot of these flavoured carbonated water contain calories while the sparkling mineral may contain sodium between 10-30 milligrams for an 8-ounce glass, depending on the brand.

Mineral water

Mineral water is bottled water that contains a certain required amount of minerals from a physically and geologically protected underground water source. This water can provide small amounts of important minerals such as magnesium, calcium, and potassium which have benefits in lowering blood pressure, improving bone density, boosting muscle growth, and providing other numerous health benefits. This is useful for those who may be short on these minerals from their meals.

The caveat here is that the different brands of mineral water each provide different levels of each mineral. This makes it hard to know which you are getting and if you are meeting your daily goals the right way. Also, mineral water may contain more sodium as it does not undergo chemical processing.

Electrolyte water

This type of water is extremely popular as a good source of hydration after exercise or sports activities due to its enhanced nature, as it contains electrolytes such as sodium and potassium. For some people, they believe that this can bring them hydration like no other, helping improve their performance and increase their energy levels.

While it is true that replacing electrolytes lost during strenuous activities is important for better performance, better health, and more stable energy levels especially when exercising in heat, it is not a requirement. Under normal conditions, your body can maintain proper fluid levels when doing moderate exercise. It is always important to be hydrated when partaking in strenuous activities.

Tap water

In most cities in the US, regulations are placed on faucet or tap water such as the one from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requiring this type of water to be frequently tested while in Canada, it is Health Canada who oversees this important task. An advantage that comes with this water is that it is cheap and easily available at home. This is also the choice for those more environmentally conscious as this allows you to just fill up a water jug to bring with you wherever you go. If regular tap water is not your thing, you can always spice it up by adding fruits and other natural flavors to give it a different spin.

One common drawback on tap water is the chlorinated taste and odor that is off-putting to many and there are still those who are not too sure about their water’s safety. When in doubt, you can always purchase a water filter to give you that peace of mind that your water is clean and safe.

A compact and efficient water filtration system such as the IVO Water Purifier is a great choice. It has an advanced 4-stage filtration system with medical-grade hollow fiber membrane that removes impurities in tap water such as residual chlorine and microscopic contaminants down to 0.1 micron – like bacteria, microplastics and even sub-microplastics! You can gain savings by turning to tap and at the same time doing your part in being more environmentally conscious. Learn more about how you can change the way you drink with IVO.