For years I had been trying to figure out the best type of water to drink...

It can be confusing and frustrating when different types of water, like bottled, spring, mineral, reverse osmosis, alkaline, distilled and activated carbon-filtered, have both pros and cons.

So which is best for your health? How do you choose?

It's important to know...

After all, you drink 2 litres of it daily (hopefully!) and you're using it in your cooking, your cups of tea, giving it to your partner, kids, friends and animals.

I for one thought that spring water was best.

Since underground water filtering is a natural process where water passes through materials like rock, clay, soil, and sediments before coming out on the Earth's surface, to me it appeared as the best choice for drinking water.

But we actually have to be very careful when getting water from a spring...

A friend and I travelled 45 minutes by car to get water from a spring at Sierra Bernia, a mountain range in the province of Alicante.

After drinking this water, our lower backs hurt for days as our kidneys were protesting. The water was heavily laden with calcium and it was too much for our bodies to handle.

It took us a few days for the discomfort in our backs to completely disappear after ceasing to drink the mountain spring water.

I also used to travel a long way to reach Font de Gel in Vall De Laguar. It's a spring where hikers, bikers, and local residents gather to collect water.

As you can see, the provinces of Valencia, Almeria and Baleares Islands have the highest levels of hard water.

Tap water has inorganic minerals, harmful microbes, bacteria, viruses, chlorine and other nasty chemicals...

So, you definitely don't want to be drinking that type of water because it can cause health complications.

You can read more about it here: Filtering Your Water To Optimize Your Health

I first discovered the idea of drinking distilled water when I read books by Dr John Christopher, a well-known herbal medicine doctor.

What put me off initially is that I had heard on multiple occasions that distilled water leaches minerals out of the body.

What I didn't know at the time was what type of minerals they were - which I reveal later to you...

But then I came across Dr. Allen Banik's book, "The Choice is Clear" (1) about distilled water.

Something clicked and it all made sense...

Hard Water Makes Hard Arteries

According to Dr Allen Banik's book, consuming water with inorganic minerals, which is present in most types of water, can lead to various health issues such as arthritis, hardening of the arteries, kidney stones, gallstones, cataracts, glaucoma, hearing loss, diabetes, obesity, and emphysema.

Dr Allen Banik further explains that as rain falls on the ground, its purpose is to collect inorganic minerals and transport them to plants, allowing for assimilation.

In a nutshell, we get our optimal minerals from food, not from water.

Consuming hard water that contains high levels of inorganic minerals like magnesium, calcium, iron, and copper can lead to the deposition of these minerals in our joints, potentially causing arthritis.

Limescale is very hard to remove and only a water distiller will effectively do it.

You will not remove limescale by boiling it, or by filtering it using a Brita filter or any activated charcoal filter.

The purest form of water is distilled. That's why it's used in hospitals for flushing out surgical wounds and as a solvent for medications and intravenous methods.

Research Shows How Significant The Quality Of Water Is

Recent studies indicate that cholesterol plays a role in promoting the production and accumulation of amyloid beta (Abeta) in the brain. This buildup of Abeta is a significant characteristic associated with Alzheimer's disease.

The discovery (2) was a reduction of the accumulation of Abeta in rabbits who were given distilled water instead of tap water.

This is HUGE because it reveals that a simple lifestyle change of the quality of water we drink, benefits anyone with Alzheimer's disease.

The consumption of high water hardness with high water fluoride can result in the destruction of renal tubules, causing Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).

A study in 2020 (3) discovered that introducing distilled water can greatly improve the condition and can lead to reversal if spotted in the early stages.

Therefore, distilled water is a powerful preventative method for kidney disease.

It makes you wonder, especially when both dogs and cats are prone to kidney disease.

Where's their main water supply coming from? Typically tap or filtered water, right?

If the results of the above-mentioned study show that distilled water can reverse the early stages of kidney disease or at the very least improve kidney function...

Then wouldn't it make sense to give it to your pets too?

The Only Effective Solution For Drinking Water Beneficial To Health

If we didn't live in the age of pollution, then the ideal water to drink is rainwater, which is the result of nature's natural distillery.

Fortunately, you can distil pure water in the comfort of your own home.

So, how does the process work?

When boiled water turns into vapour, it leaves behind inorganic minerals, bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, and other contaminants.

This steam is then cooled and condensation occurs releasing pure water into an external container.

You will be shocked at the impurities and intoxicating stench of the remaining contaminants after a single distillation.

And you will see for yourself how important it is to properly filter your water...

Or else you will be consuming some or all of that which you see in it.

I have been drinking distilled water produced by the Megahome 316 bought from EcoVidaSolar...

And I can say with absolute integrity that it's the best and purest water I have ever tasted.

The company Ecovidasolar are extremely helpful and they answered any questions that I had.

Here are some pros and cons of the distiller:

Cons

• Can be perceived as a slow process.
  It produces 4 litres in 4 hours so I usually turn it on first thing in the morning or I have it running overnight.
• You will need to descale it every month or so for optimum performance.
  When cleaning, I usually just pour vinegar into it and let it soak overnight.
• The distillation process can be a bit noisy.
  If you have it in a closed room you don't really hear it.
• You will need to change the carbon filter every month or so.
  This is to prevent any VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)

Pros

• It's safe to leave the house with it running. So you can come back at the end of the day and have access to freshly made pure water.
• The electricity consumption is approximately 9 cents a litre.
  This makes it the cheapest option to obtain pure water and you'll never contribute to plastic waste.
• You'll never have accumulated limescale in your kettle or your iron.
• It's easy to assemble
• It takes just a minute to set up the machine each time to start its distillation process.
• It has numerous health benefits and can help prevent, reduce or reverse health complications
• The machine lasts a very, very long time as long as it's properly cared for.
• The water is pure, clean and feels really good.

After distilling the water, it's preferable to store it in a glass or steel container.

Personally, I use the Big Berkey filter, which I used before purchasing the Megahome.

This way, the water is kept in a stainless steel container with a convenient tap for easily filling glasses.

Big Berkey's carbon filters last for 10 years, which means that I don't need to buy replacement filters for the Megahome water distiller.

To enhance the water's mineral content and electrolytes, I often add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a slice of cucumber.

This is a cheaper water distiller from Megahome. The material is a bit different and you will not be able to distill seawater:

Some people have asked me some specs of the distiller, so here they are!

Capacity: 4 liters

Power consumption: 580W

Distiller dimensions: Maximum diameter: 23.5cm Height: 36 cm

Distiller net weight: 3.4kg

Distiller / PP bottle/accessories total gross weight: 5.2kg

Distiller / glass bottle / accessories total gross weight: 6kg

Voltages:
230V 50/60Hz

240V 50/60Hz

I would like to end this article with a quote from Dr. Clifford C. Denisson:

" Some health specialists believe we experience hardening of the arteries, arthritis, kidney stones, gall stones, vision problems (glaucoma and cataracts) loss of hearing, diabetes, obesity, emphysema and other ailments in greater intensities and more frequently when we consume polluted or contaminated water.

There’s no absolute medical proof that drinking distilled water will cure any of the infirmities that humans suffer,

But there are thousands of case histories of people who have enjoyed success in alleviating or overcoming these health problems when they began drinking distilled water exclusively.

Does it not make sense, therefore, to consume only pure water produced by a good quality distiller right in your own home?”

* Extra Notes

Tuandco kindly granted me permission to use the image showing the regions in Spain with hard water.

References

1. The Choice is Clear by Dr. Allen E. Banik
2. Sparks DL, Lochhead J, Horstman D, Wagoner T, Martin T.  Water quality has a pronounced effect on cholesterol-induced accumulation of Alzheimer amyloid beta (Abeta) in rabbit brain. J Alzheimers Dis. 2002 Dec;4(6):523-9.
3. Perera, T., Ranasinghe, S., Alles, N. et al. Experimental rat model for acute tubular injury induced by high water hardness and high water fluoride: efficacy of primary preventive intervention by distilled water administration. BMC Nephrol 21, 103 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12882-020-01763-3

We all know that we should be drinking at least 2 litres a day for our health and well being, however, drinking the right type of water is the key to receiving optimal benefits.

Tap water doesn't mean it's safe to drink even though it meets safety guidelines.

Alicante has very hard water and has a high content of chlorine and cal, making the water taste very unpleasant, and you'll end up still feeling thirsty.

The consumption of tap water over time poses great risks to health as you shall read below.

Bottled water isn't that great either since chemicals from the plastic can leach into the water.
Avoid bottles made with BPA (Bisphenol A) which are chemical hormonal disruptors, they mimic oestrogen and are linked to reproductive health problems and certain types of cancers, such as breast, ovarian and prostate.

What is commonly found in  tap water?

Heavy metals, such as:

• Arsenic which occurs naturally in soil and rock. Linked to cancers of the prostate, liver, kidneys, lungs, skin and nasal passages.
• Cadmium: galvanised tubes, plumbing accessories, fertilisers and aerial contamination are some of the ways it can enter into our water supply. It is known to be toxic for the kidneys.
• Lead: Comes from lead pipes and corroded infrastructure. It is known to be toxic and poisonous to almost every major organ in the body.
• Mercury: According to the Water Quality Association, the major source of mercury comes from a natural degassing of the Earth's crust, also the combustion of fossil fuels and other industrial release. Mercury has been known to cause kidney damage, even from short-term exposure. It has negative effects on the brain and the developing foetus.

Chemicals, such as:

• PFAS ( Perfluoralkyl substances) are artificial cancer-causing compounds used in industrial processes and products since manufacturing began end of 1940's. Not only found in water, but also non-stick cookware, clothing, furniture and water-resistant products.
• Trihalomethanes (THMs) such as chloroform. Formed as a result of chlorination. The health ministry have observed that THMs are toxic to the liver.
• Chlorine: Makes the water taste unpleasant. Dries hair and skin, irritates eyes and the respiratory tract. Potentially carcinogenic.
•  Fluoride: It passes through the blood-brain barrier and tends to accumulate in the pineal gland, which plays a role in your sleep patterns, how you make decisions, and how you perceive reality.A 2015 study (linked below) has concluded that it may produce developmental neurotoxicity. The CDC have also observed a prevalence of increased bone fractures in the elderly related to fluoridated water.It's also found in toothpaste, so look for toothpaste that is fluoride-free.

The above list is not exhaustive, however, it gives an overall idea of how toxic our tap water actually is!

What can you do about it?

• The heavy metal protocol combines 5 ingredients that synergistically work to help eliminate heavy metals from all parts of the body.  Click here to my blog for instructions.

• Get a good water distiller such as the Megahome 316. This powerful distiller removes absolutely everything. And I mean absolutely everything nasty from your water. You will be shocked and horrified at the empty chamber containing the residue of cal and the noxious chemical smell even after just 1 distillation. You will never drink tap water again after seeing this.I have never tasted water so pure, soft and hydrating and I really do feel this is one of the best investments anyone can make. I used to own a Berkey water filter and the water distiller beats this tenfold. I do still use the Big berkey but I now only use this as a container for the distilled water because it contains a tap and it's easy to fill up your kettle or glass.

• A water activator transforms the water hardness, making it soft and energetically improves it.This can be applied to the whole house and will be healthier for all plumbing and devices that use water, making them last longer. It also improves the health of swimming pools, ponds, water features, animal drinking water etc..For more details, contact Cristobal (English and Spanish speaking) in Javea:
  Email: c.cholbi@unicomrc.com |  phone: 96 693 4290  |  Website:www.unicomrc.com
  Just mention my name (Michelle) and he'll give you a free demonstration of the water activator device if you're in the local area.

A note on Shungite's healing properties

This rare black stone, mainly found in Shunga, Russia, has a unique composition containing fullerenes, which are a type of carbon nanostructure.

According to a 2017 review, carbon nanostructures can destroy harmful pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses.

Shungite has been used since ancient times to purify water and for its antioxidant properties.

It is used to reduce inflammation and ease physical ailments, including allergies, arthritis, kidney issues, fatigue, liver problems and more.

Anecdotally, it is reported to relieve stress, soak up negative energy and balance emotions.

I use shungite in the Big Berkey water filter in the bottom half and I also put it in my cat's drinking bowl, which at times becomes a fishing game to my amusement!

RESOURCES

PFAS chemical in Spain https://buff.ly/3twfBMg

Water quality for consumption report 2019. Ministry of Health. https://buff.ly/3aXNwao

Study related to fluoride by Science Direct. https://buff.ly/3xqNBe6

Calcification of the pineal gland by webMD: https://buff.ly/3NKeYH9

Water Quality Association: https://www.wqa.org/Learn-About-Water/Common-Contaminants/Mercury

Review on the Antimicrobial Properties of Carbon Nanostructures, 2017. NIH. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5615720/