The ideal water is one that has been filtered through a reverse osmosis system, or in the absence of that, a carbon block system to eliminate toxic chemicals as the first step. In addition, there are heavy metals that needs to be eliminated.
One of the best media to accomplish this is patented filtration media called KDF. KDF can absorb heavy metals like lead, mercury, and arsenic that is commonly found in our pipes, especially those that are old. Look for a system with this patened material. For the water to be better absorbed into the body, a process called micronization is important. This can be done through magnetization of the water before drinking (at least 12,000 gauss of magnetic device is needed) . Magnetized water has many health enhancing effect as well. Lastly, our body is designed to be in a slightly alkaline environment. With the modern day high protein acidic diet, it is important that our water is slightly alkalinized to neutralize this acidic environment.
This can be done by allowing water to be exposed to bio-ceramic beeds that release vital minerals in small quantity into the water to make it slightly alkaline before drinking. Lastly and most commonly overlooked, make sure you change your filter system regularly. Your water is only as good as your filter. The more expansive filtration systems often have a flow-meter that measures exactly the volume of water filtered and warn you when the filter's life is almost finished (commonly around 500 gallons per carbon block filter). This type is much more accurate than those that depend on water pressure differential to imply the degree of usage, especially if you live in a high rise where water pressure is not stable.
How Much Water Do You Need?
To maintain daily balance, our body requires an intake of over two quarts (8 glasses of 8 ounces each) of water for basic normal function. Depending on the kind of diet, about half to one quart each day is provided in the food we eat. The balance has to be taken in externally. A good rule of thumb is to drink 8 glasses of pure water (non-caffeinated drinks) a day in addition to your food.
To achieve optimum hydration for anti-aging purposes, it is important to bath the body internally with ample water. About one quart (32 ounces or 4 glasses of 8 ounces each) of pure filtered water per day for every 50 pounds of body weight is the recommended minimum. This translates into 3 quarts (12 glasses of 8 ounces each) a day, or 50 percent more than that recommended for routine bodily function for the average 150 pound American. If you lead an active lifestyle or if you are exposed to a hot environment, the amount of water needed is substantially more. Likewise, your water intake should increase by one 8-ounce glass for each 25 pounds above your ideal body weight.
If you are taking in liquids that act as a diuretic (such as coffee, tea, and certain sodas), you will need more water to compensate for the water loss due to these "dehydrating" drinks. A good rule of thumb is to drink one extra glass of water for the equivalent amount of these drinks you consume.
Summary
Drinking at least 12 glasses of pure filtered water daily is the best insurance against premature aging. The ideal drinking water for the human body should be slightly alkaline and should contain some minerals like calcium and magnesium. Water filtered through a good reverse osmosis system tends to be neutral to slightly alkaline and is recommended for regular use provided that minerals are supplemented with vegetables or nutritional supplementation.
Make sure that the filter you choose is of good quality and removes contaminants such as cryptosporidium. If you do not have water processed through a good water filter, drinking bottled water is the next best option.