In my last post, I suggested that not only is tap water hazardous during this time of flooding, but also at any time. Here are some reasons why:
A study in America suggests that some tap water despite being filtered and treated with chlorine may still be able to cause gastrointestinal problems in children, 10% of the serious gastrointestinal illness case in children, the ones bringing the kids into the hospital are attributable to the drinking water, said the researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health.
Up to one-third of gastrointestinal illness may be related to drinking water that meets current federal standards, according to the report.
Children are not the only ones at risk from such gastrointestinal illnesses. Adults with weakened immune systems are also at risk, including those with AIDS, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment, or the elderly.
Tap water should be avoided because it contains chlorine and may contain fluoride, toxic substances that, with ongoing consumption, can have dire consequences for the body. Distilled water should also be avoided because it has the wrong ionization, pH, polarization and oxidation potentials, and can drain your body of necessary minerals. It has been tied to hair loss, which is often associated with certain mineral deficiencies.
Drink water at room temperature if possible, as ice-cold water can harm the delicate lining of your stomach. You should consume at least 0.033 litres of good quality water per kilogram of body weight. So a 70kg person should be drinking at least 2.1 litres of water per day.
I weigh 72kg and normally get through 3.5-4 litres of Evian or Vittel each day. Exercise and hot temperatures does increase your demand for water.
Tune in next time when I will be discussing the Jelly Bean Cricket scandal.