RAW WATER: Don't Believe The Hype!

The New York Times ran an article about ‘Raw Water’ and the craze sweeping the nation. Here is everything you need to know about Raw Water and whether you should be investing in it to help you with your New Year’s Resolutions of living a healthier lifestyle.

What is ‘Raw Water’?

Raw Water is unfiltered, untreated, unsterilized spring water served in glass packaging.

Note: Raw Water expires after a few months, or when it turns green.

When did this movement start?

Raw Water has been consumed since 1950, about 5 years after the United States began adding fluoride to our drinking water through filtration. Within the past 3 years a resurgence of the Raw Water movement has hit California and other states in the northwest of the United States. It has drawn large crowds thanks to influential and financial supporters in Silicon Valley.

Why are the masses joining the movement?

The water consciousness movement is wary of tap water, particularly fluoride. They contend that the wrong kind of filtration removes beneficial minerals. Traditional bottle water is treated with Ultra Violet light and Ozone gas passed through filters to remove algae. Many believe that those processes kill the healthful bacteria (probiotics) in Raw Water.

Benefits of Raw Water?

Though no benefits have been scientifically proven, many followers of the Raw Water movement have claimed to have better skin, a need to drink less water, and also attribute better absorption of nutrients from their meals.

Where to find Raw Water?

Companies like Live Water are selling 2.5 gallons of Raw Water for $36.99 (Refills are $14.99). $35.95 will get you 12 1 Liter bottles from Tourmaline Springs in Maine. Liquid Eden in San Diego, CA offers fluoride free, chlorine free and mineral electrolyte alkaline Raw Water for $2.50 per gallon. Most of the companies listed above sell on average 900 gallons a day.

Risks

Consuming Raw Water comes with acute and chronic risk including E. coli, Parasites and Carcinogenic compounds.

Should you drink Raw Water?

No! The United States filtration system is not the best, as we see with long term issues in Flint, MI, but for the most part filtration has improved public health. Cases of water borne illnesses like Cholera and Typhoid fever have plummeted to almost zero according to the CDC. There are 91 different contaminants removed from filtered water, and little data shows what is actually left in Raw Water. One major argument from the Raw Water Movement is the additive fluoride, which is used to filter our drinking water. The amount of Fluoride we consume in our drinking water is not harmful but actually beneficial to dental health. Fluoride only becomes hazardous in higher concentrations.

Alternative Options

For many of you who have concerns about the kind of water you are drinking, it’s better to invest in your own filtration systems than to drink Raw Water. You can find numerous brands starting at just $14.99. Another pricier option is to install on of Zero Mass filtration system. They install two panels, typically on your roof, that collects water directly from the atmosphere. Which then is connected to a reservoir of your choice (refrigerator dispenser, in-sink side tap, or wall-mounted bottle-filler) and you will have fresh water directly in your home. This innovative filtration system will run you a minimum of $4500.

Do you drink Raw Water? Thinking about trying it? Let’s Talk! Hit Me Up @Its_Tribblez !