In the face of regular reports about toxic tap water, millions of people have turned to bottled water. But although manufacturers are supposed to subscribe to health regulations mandating “clean room technology” and accurate labeling about water source, in many countries regulations are poorly enforced and only a small percentage of the bottles are recycled. In numerous independent tests, bottled water has been found to contain levels higher than those approved, many are not properly labeled and many contain tap water that has been treated in one way or another. If treated by reverse osmosis or distillation, the water has no minerals and is less healthy. If treated by ultraviolet radiation the strength of the u/v element is crucial for destroying bacteria, while most chemical pollutants remain. Bottled water is not required to have a sell-by date or use-by date, allowing the growth of bacteria over time.
Recent research on bottled water and treated tap water has also revealed that when the ratio of Calcium to Magnesium is more than 1 to 1, there is an increased incidence of heart disease and renal stones.
