Most people know they should be drinking water as their primary source of hydration. I recommend drinking at least 3-4 L per day… I’m starting to feel like a broken record as much as I find myself saying this. It’s such an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to your overall health and your ability to maintain a healthy weight!

One thing I might not emphasize enough, however, is that it doesn’t have to be at the expense of the environment. Nor does it make sense to expose yourself to unnecessary chemicals every single time you take a sip. Unfortunately, with the explosion of the bottled water industry over the last couple of decades, that is exactly what has become acceptable to most Americans. Most people don’t have a clue what is really going on behind the closed doors of this multi-billion dollar industry.

Did you know?...

-While marketing makes bottled water seem “healthier” than tap water, roughly 40% of bottled water is taken from the same municipal water sources as the tap water in your home?

-There is a 1900% mark-up on bottled water…talk about some huge profits for industry giants like Nestle, Coca-Cola, and Pepsi.

-There is absolutely no FDA regulation required on bottled water taken from a source within any given state and subsequently re-sold in that same state. Most all water companies gather and re-sell water within same state borders, which means there is no regulatory process or oversight required of them.

-In towns under sever drought, citizens are required to abide by water restrictions but companies harvesting water from local resources within the same communities are not. The companies do not pay taxes and are not required to invest any monies in revitalization of those same communities which they leave barren many times.

-Most all bottled water is packaged in plastics containing Polyethelene (PET). Laboratory studies have proven time and time again that these harmful chemicals, along with benzenes, phthalates & Bisphenol A (BPA) are leached into water from the plastic bottles. Scientists have positively linked these chemicals to cancers, obesity, diabetes, hyperactivity, endocrine disruption, asthma, developmental and reproductive effects, birth defects, hormonal changes, and immune system impairment.

Nothing, and I mean NOTHING, gets me more fired up than known carcinogens being allowed into our food and water supply. So, while I do encourage you to drink plenty of water, please be an informed consumer. Avoid buying plastic bottles with a #1 or #7 recycling symbol on the underside at all costs. The best thing you can do is install your own filtration system at home and use refillable aluminum bottles, such as a Kleen Kanteen. If you just like the way a plastic bottle squeezes for your workouts, as I do, then at least buy & re-use a BPA and PET free water bottle. Bottles labeled with a #2, #4 or #5 are a much safer option if you must use plastic. Look for "BPA and PET(E) Free" labels when purchasing a re-usable bottle.

During a time when New Year’s Resolutions are being made, why not consider making a lifestyle change that will positively impact the environment and your health at the same time? The longer we turn a blind eye to the inconvenient truth of what’s really going on, the sooner we’ll have to pay attention to the detrimental effects this product of modern convenience is causing. If you aren’t convinced yet, please take time to watch this movie. It WILL change the way you look at bottled water forever.