What is the best water to drink for your body?

December 10, 2025 •

4 min read

The human body is over 60% water, but not all drinking water is created equal. Finding what is the best water to drink for your body depends on many factors, from its source and treatment process to your own health and environmental concerns.

Quick Summary

Different water types offer varying mineral content, pH levels, and purity. Considerations such as source, filtration, cost, and personal taste all factor into the optimal choice for hydration.

Key Points

For Most People: Filtered tap water is often the best balance of safety, cost, and environmental friendliness.
Tap Water is a Starting Point: In many areas, tap water is safe and inexpensive, though quality and taste vary by location.
Mineral Water Offers Nutrients: Sourced from underground springs, mineral water can provide additional calcium and magnesium.
Alkaline Water Health Claims Lack Evidence: Most claims about alkaline water and disease prevention are not backed by strong scientific research.
Purity Has a Cost: Distilled and heavily purified water remove contaminants but also strip away beneficial minerals.
Consider Your Local Quality: Always check your local tap water report to understand its specific composition and potential contaminants.

The Basics of Water and Your Body

Water is the single most vital nutrient for human health. It lubricates joints, delivers nutrients to cells, regulates body temperature, and flushes out waste products. Staying properly hydrated is crucial for everything from cognitive function and mood to athletic performance and organ health. While hydration is the main goal, the quality and composition of the water you consume can also play a role in your overall wellness.

Understanding Different Types of Drinking Water

Tap Water: The Convenient Option

Tap water, supplied by municipalities, is the most common and accessible drinking water source. It is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and treated to be safe for consumption.

Pros: It is the most economical and convenient choice. In many developed countries, it is consistently safe and regulated. Using tap water and a reusable bottle also significantly reduces plastic waste.
Cons: The taste and mineral content can vary greatly by location. While regulated, it can still contain traces of contaminants like chlorine, lead (from older pipes), or pharmaceuticals. This uncertainty has led many to consider other options.

Filtered Water: The Purified Choice

Filtered water is typically tap water that has been run through a filter, such as an activated carbon filter pitcher or a more comprehensive reverse osmosis (RO) system.

Pros: Improves taste and odor by removing chlorine. Reduces exposure to a wide range of contaminants, including heavy metals and other impurities. A cost-effective and environmentally-friendly alternative to bottled water.
Cons: Regular maintenance (replacing filters) is required. Some advanced filters, like RO systems, can strip beneficial minerals from the water unless a remineralization filter is used.

Mineral Water: Rich in Natural Goodness

Sourced from protected underground reservoirs, mineral water contains at least 250 parts per million (ppm) of dissolved solids. It is bottled at the source and contains naturally occurring minerals like magnesium, calcium, and potassium.

Pros: Provides essential minerals that support bone strength, heart health, and digestion. Many people prefer the taste due to the distinct mineral profile.
Cons: Significantly more expensive than tap or filtered water. Often comes in single-use plastic bottles, creating environmental waste.

Alkaline Water: High pH, High Claims

With a pH level higher than standard drinking water (typically 8 to 9.5), alkaline water is often marketed with claims of superior hydration and health benefits. It can be naturally occurring or produced via ionization.

Pros: Some limited studies suggest it may help reduce symptoms of acid reflux. Proponents claim it can neutralize acid in the body, although robust scientific evidence for this is lacking.
Cons: The body tightly regulates blood pH, so drinking alkaline water does not significantly change your body's overall pH. Scientific backing for most health claims is weak, and it is expensive. Over-consumption could potentially lead to issues.

Distilled and Purified Water: Minimalist Hydration

Distilled water is boiled and condensed, removing nearly all minerals and contaminants. Purified water undergoes extensive treatment, such as distillation or reverse osmosis, to remove impurities.

Pros: Exceptionally pure and free from contaminants, making it a good choice in areas with questionable tap water.
Cons: The process removes all minerals, which can give it a flat taste. Long-term consumption of demineralized water is discouraged as it may leach minerals from the body over time.

A Head-to-Head Comparison: Finding the Best Water for You


Water Type	Mineral Content	Average pH	Cost	Potential Benefits	Key Drawbacks
Tap Water	Varies by source	6.5 - 8.5	Very low	Convenient, safe (in many regions)	Possible chlorine taste/smell, potential contaminants from pipes
Filtered Water	Preserved (carbon) or removed (RO)	~7.0	Low to Moderate	Improved taste, contaminant reduction	Requires filter replacement, can be demineralized (RO)
Mineral Water	High (Calcium, Magnesium)	7.0 - 8.5	High	Provides essential minerals, good taste	Expensive, environmental plastic waste
Alkaline Water	Added (varies)	8.0 - 9.5	High	May help with acid reflux (limited evidence)	Unsubstantiated health claims, costly
Distilled/Purified	None (demineralized)	Slightly acidic	Low to Moderate	Extremely pure, good for areas with bad tap	Lacks beneficial minerals, flat taste

Factors Beyond Type: What to Consider

Beyond the type of water, other factors should influence your decision for what is the best water to drink for your body.

Local Water Quality: The quality of your local tap water is a primary consideration. Some areas have excellent tap water, while others may have issues with older infrastructure and contaminants. A local water quality report can provide detailed information.
Personal Health Needs: For some individuals, a water type with a higher mineral content may offer specific benefits. For example, some mineral waters are rich in calcium and magnesium, which can support bone and cardiovascular health.
Cost and Convenience: Your budget and lifestyle will also play a role. Tap water is the most affordable and readily available, while bottled options carry a higher price tag and require regular purchasing.
Environmental Impact: The production and disposal of single-use plastic bottles, common for mineral and some purified water, contribute to plastic waste and environmental concerns. Using a home filtration system is a more sustainable option.
Taste Preference: Finally, personal taste preference can influence how much water you drink. If you find plain tap water unappealing, a simple carbon filter can significantly improve its taste and encourage you to drink more.

Making the Right Choice for Your Health

Determining the single best water to drink for your body is a personal journey with no one-size-fits-all answer. For most people with access to safe tap water, a high-quality home filtration system offers the optimal balance of safety, cost, and taste. It removes common impurities while retaining or adding back beneficial minerals, making it a sustainable and healthy choice. Ultimately, the most important aspect of hydration is consistency. The best water for you is the one you will consistently drink enough of to stay well-hydrated and healthy. For more detailed information on local water quality, consult resources like the CDC's water and health guidelines, which provide valuable insights into water safety standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not necessarily. In most developed regions, tap water is safe to drink and highly regulated, sometimes even more so than bottled water. While bottled mineral water may offer specific mineral content, tap water can also have minerals, and a healthy diet is a primary source of nutrients.

It depends on the filtration method. Basic carbon filters often remove impurities like chlorine while leaving minerals intact. More aggressive systems like reverse osmosis remove both contaminants and minerals, but some systems include a remineralization step.

Proponents claim alkaline water can neutralize acid and offer other benefits, but these claims are largely unsubstantiated by scientific evidence. The human body is very effective at regulating its own pH levels, and drinking alkaline water does not significantly change your blood pH.

The taste of tap water often depends on the source and treatment process. A common culprit for an off taste or smell is chlorine, which is used for disinfection. A simple carbon filter can effectively remove chlorine and improve the taste.

Microplastics have been found in both tap and bottled water, although the potential health risks are not yet fully understood. Using a high-quality water filter can help reduce microplastic contamination. Choosing tap water over single-use plastic bottles is also a great way to reduce your exposure and environmental impact.

Choosing a water filter depends on your needs. For basic taste improvement, a carbon filter pitcher or tap filter is sufficient. If you are concerned about specific contaminants, research more advanced options like reverse osmosis, and always choose a reputable brand with third-party testing.

While mineral water and some tap water can contain beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium, they typically provide a small fraction of your total daily mineral requirements. A varied and healthy diet is the primary source of essential minerals.

While it is exceptionally pure and free of contaminants, regular consumption of distilled water is not recommended for long-term health. The absence of minerals can cause it to pull minerals from the body, potentially affecting electrolyte balance over time.