Not All Water Is Equal: 7 Healthiest Types of Water to Drink

Water is critical for keeping our bodies functioning properly, making up 60% of the human body. [1] Recent recalls of over 151,000 bottles of Berkeley Water show how crucial it is to be aware of our drinking water's quality [2].

Every cell, tissue, muscle, and system requires water to run effectively. Therefore, cleanliness is the key to all our biological processes. Though water is essential for our well-being, not all water is equally good.

The existence of different water types can make it overwhelming to know which one is the best to drink. They vary in nutritional benefits and caloric intake, so let’s take a closer look at which is the healthiest and best water for optimal hydration and overall health.

7 Healthiest Drinking Water Types

1. Best Overall: Structured Water
2. Most Convenient and Economical: Tap Water
3. Best Mineral Enrichment: Mineral Water
4. Most Pristine Source: Spring or Glacier Water
5. Purest, Contaminant-Free Form: Distilled Water
6. Best pH Balancing and Alkalizing Properties: Alkaline Water
7. Most High-Quality Filtration and Impurity Removal: Purified Water

What Is the Best Water to Drink: Comparing Water Types

When it comes to the healthiest water to drink, we first need to discuss the pros and cons of the seven different types of drinking water.



Structured water, also called "hexagonal water" or "H3O2 (living water)," is in a unique state, existing between liquid and solid forms. Unlike regular water (H2O), it has a distinct molecular arrangement, typically forming hexagonal clusters. This organization shares similarities with water that hasn't been contaminated by human processes, such as spring or glacial water.

Dr. Gerald Pollack, professor of bioengineering at the University of Washington, suggests that structured water plays a crucial role in biological systems. [3] He says that it ensures cellular hydration due to its higher potential to absorb minerals and nutrients.

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Why Is Structured Water the Best Water to Drink?

Structured water is among the cleanest in the world. It has several health benefits compared to regular tap or filtered water.

Some of the advantages include:

• Enhanced Hydration: Structured water is more easily absorbed by cells, leading to improved hydration.
• Detoxification: It may help the body eliminate toxins more effectively due to its unique molecular structure.
• Increased Energy: It can boost energy levels by providing a higher vibrational charge.
• Improved Nutrient Absorption: The hexagonal clusters enhance your body's ability to absorb essential vitamins and minerals.
• Better Digestion: Drinking structured water is said to support digestive health and regularity.
• Skin Health: It can also improve skin hydration and complexion.



Tap water, also known as running or municipal water, goes through different purification methods using purifying agents such as chlorine and ozone before it makes it to your tap. Although these agents are useful for removing bacteria, pathogens, and contaminants, they also strip its nutrients from it.

Aging pipes and contamination from agricultural runoff or industrial waste can also affect its safety and taste. Despite these issues, tap water remains a vital resource, providing an accessible and convenient source of hydration.

Why Is Tap Water the Best Water to Drink?

Drinking tap water offers several advantages that make it a preferable choice for many people:

• Cost-Effectiveness: The cost of tap water is generally a fraction of that of bottled options, making it an economical choice for daily hydration.
• Environmental Benefits: Choosing tap water reduces reliance on single-use plastic bottles, which contribute to environmental pollution.
• Regulated Safety Standards: In many regions, tap water is subject to strict safety regulations and regular testing. This ensures that it meets health standards set by government agencies.
• Convenience: Tap water is readily available in most homes and public spaces, eliminating the need to purchase or carry bottled water.
• Health Benefits: Many municipal water supplies add beneficial minerals like fluoride, which can help prevent tooth decay.



Mineral water—or sparkling water—is abundant in essential nutrients like sulfate, magnesium, calcium, sodium, and chloride. According to regulations set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), mineral water must have a minimum of 250 parts per million (ppm) of total dissolved solids (TDS) and must originate from a geologically protected underground source [4].

This type of water can be either still or sparkling, with the latter being naturally carbonated due to the presence of dissolved gases. Today, it is typically bottled at the source for commercial distribution.

Why Is Mineral Water the Best Water to Drink?

Drinking mineral water offers several advantages that make it an appealing choice for hydration:

• Rich in Essential Minerals: Mineral water is a natural source of vital minerals like calcium and magnesium, which are important for bone health, muscle function, and overall bodily processes.
• Enhanced Hydration: The presence of minerals can improve hydration efficiency. Minerals like magnesium and potassium support better absorption and retention of water within cells, which is crucial for maintaining energy.
• Digestive Health Benefits: Certain minerals found in mineral water, such as magnesium sulfate and bicarbonate, may aid digestion by promoting smoother gastrointestinal function. This can help alleviate issues like constipation and indigestion [5].
• Heart Health Support: Some studies indicate that regular consumption of mineral water may help lower bad cholesterol while increasing good cholesterol, improving cardiovascular health [6].
• Taste and Variety: Mineral water often has a distinct taste due to its mineral content, making it a flavorful alternative to regular tap water.



Spring water and glacier water are popular natural hydration choices, each with distinct origins. Spring water claims to be bottled at the source from where the water flows. It's is typically clean, organic, and free from toxins.

Sourced directly underground, spring water is naturally filtered and enriched with minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium, influencing its taste and healthfulness.

Glacier water, on the other hand, originates from melting glaciers—massive ice formations created over time from compressed snow. Like spring water, it undergoes natural filtration through layers of ice and rock, resulting in exceptional purity, often free from contaminants.

While both are pure and mineral-rich, glacier water's high silica, calcium, and magnesium content may aid digestion and skin health. Its slight alkalinity can also help balance body acidity.

Why Is Spring or Glacier Water the Best Water to Drink?

Drinking spring or glacier water offers several advantages that make them superior choices for hydration:

• Nutrient-Rich: Both spring and glacier waters are enriched with essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium. These minerals are vital for bone health, muscle funciton and digestion.
• Purity: Naturally filtered, both spring and glacier water are free from many contaminants like pharmaceuticals. Spring water is sourced directly underground, while glacier water originates from ancient ice formations, untouched by modern pollution.
• Better Taste: The appealing taste of spring and glacier water often leads to increased water consumption, promoting better hydration.
• Environmental Benefits: Some spring and glacier water brands prioritize sustainability through practices like using recycled materials or supporting water conservation efforts, reducing their environmental impact.
• Health Benefits: The minerals in spring and glacier water contribute to overall health. Some sources of these waters are slightly alkaline, which may offer additional benefits, although more research is needed.



Distilled water is the purest type of water that is purified by boiling it, turning it into a vapor, capturing the gas, and condensing it back to a liquid state.

Although this water is safe to drink, the purification process removes all vitamins and minerals, making it lose its long-term hydrating ability as well as taste. But, you can always add essential minerals to improve its quality. Drinking water low in minerals is detrimental to your health, thus adding Mayu Essential Minerals will ensure you’re drinking nutrient-rich water.

Why Is Distilled Water the Best Water to Drink?

Distilled water is one of the healthiest water types to drink due to several benefits:

• Purity: Distilled water is very pure. It doesn't contain the contaminants often found in tap water, like pesticides, heavy metals, or germs. This makes it a good choice for people with weakened immune systems or those living where tap water quality is a concern.
• Detoxification: Because it's so pure, distilled water might help your body remove toxins. Staying hydrated with clean water helps your body's natural cleansing process.
• Hydration: Your body can absorb distilled water easily, which can improve hydration. If you don't like the taste of mineral-rich water, distilled water is a tasteless alternative.
• Kidney Stone Prevention: Drinking distilled water might help lower your risk of getting kidney stones. This is because it can reduce the amount of calcium and sodium in your urine.
• Versatility: Distilled water isn't just for drinking. It's also used in hospitals for sterilization and in home appliances like irons and humidifiers to avoid mineral deposits.



Alkaline water is one of the healthiest water to drink as it contains minerals that help protect the body from free radicals, which are usually linked to numerous chronic diseases and inflammation [7]. It's typically sourced from areas near mineral-rich volcanos.

This water has a higher pH level (8 to 9) than regular drinking water (pH of 7), making it less acidic compared to other types. The higher pH comes from dissolved minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium. You should remember that alkaline water may have side effects; drinking too much of it may lower pH levels in the body, weakening the immune system and bones.

Why Is Alkaline Water the Best Water to Drink?

Alkaline water might offer several health benefits:

• Hydration: Alkaline water could hydrate you better than regular water, especially after a workout. One study showed athletes drinking alkaline water were better hydrated than those who drank regular [8].
• Digestive Relief: Alkaline water might ease heartburn. Research suggests it can help neutralize stomach acid for a short time, reducing acid reflux symptoms [9].
• Bone Strength: Drinking alkaline water regularly might help keep your bones strong, particularly for women after menopause. A study found that postmenopausal women who drank alkaline water had slightly better bone density than those who didn't [10].
• Metabolic Support: Some research suggests people who drink alkaline water might be less likely to develop metabolic syndrome [11]. This is a group of health issues that can raise your risk of heart disease and diabetes.
• Antioxidant Effects: Alkaline water is often said to act as an antioxidant because of its negative ORP (Oxidation-Reduction Potential). This might help protect your body from damage caused by oxidative stress caused by poor diet, smoking, or alcohol.



Purified water is typically tap or groundwater that has been treated to remove harmful substances like bacteria, parasites, and other impurities, making it suitable for use.

The goal of purification is to achieve a high level of purity, typically defined by a total dissolved solids (TDS) measurement of less than 10 parts per million (PPM), showing that around 99% of contaminants have been eliminated

Nowadays, this type of water is purified by various processes, including carbon filtering, microfiltration, capacitive deionization, and reverse osmosis.

The result is clean, safe drinking water that is free from the risks associated with contaminated sources. While purified water lacks some minerals found in other types of water, it's one of the healthiest options available due to its high purity levels. If you're planning to drink it—consider remineralizing it

Why Is Purified Water the Best Water to Drink?

Here are a couple of reasons purified water is heathy for you:

• Removes Harmful Substances: Purified water is clean and free from harmful things like bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, and chemical pollutants. This greatly lowers your chance of getting sick from waterborne diseases.
• Better Hydration: Your body absorbs purified water more easily because it's so clean. This helps you stay better hydrated, which is important for many body functions, including digestion and getting nutrients from your food.
• Improved Digestion: Clean water helps your body break down food and absorb nutrients. This can lead to better overall digestive health.
• Healthier Skin and Hair: Drinking purified water can improve your skin's hydration and appearance, and it's good for your hair, too. Clean water helps keep your skin and scalp moisturized, reducing dryness and irritation.
• Better Taste, More Water: Purified water usually has a neutral taste that many people prefer over tap water, which can sometimes taste like chlorine. This can help you drink more water, which is crucial for staying hydrated.
• Helps with Detoxification: Regularly drinking purified water helps your body's natural detox process by flushing out toxins through urine and sweat. This contributes to your overall health and well-being.

How to Choose the Right Water for You

When choosing the right water for you, the most important thing to take into consideration is the composition of water, i.e., that all elements and minerals act synergistically.

Here are some questions to ask yourself before making the decision:

• What does the water taste like? Do I like the taste?
• Does it contain necessary essential minerals and electrolytes?
• How much is it going to cost monthly/yearly?
• Is it easy and convenient for me to drink?

Balancing the Pros and Cons

There are pros and cons for each type of water, so let's sum it up.

• Tap water is the most convenient and cost-effective type of water to drink, but it may contain harmful chemicals and pollutants.
• Mineral, structured, and pure spring water are some of the healthiest water you can drink because they're clean and contain all the essential minerals your body needs.
• Filtered water removes contaminants but might also remove essential minerals. However, there is the option of adding essential minerals and electrolytes back into your drinking water.

Considering everything, it is safe to say that the most important thing is drinking enough water to keep your body hydrated, which is the core of the body's function. Choose the right type that suits your lifestyle and tastes the best to you, and be sure to add essential minerals and electrolytes if necessary.