We all know that water is essential to our existence, but how often do you spend thinking about the quality of the water you drink? Today, consumers are becoming more and more aware of the importance of drinking ultra-clean water, that is free of toxins and pollutants. Thinking carefully about the best type of water to consume for your specific health goals can help you as part of your overall health goals.

Biohackers who want to optimize their health should closely consider the type of water consumed and of course, how much water is consumed. Lack of hydration over a long period is associated with premature aging and a higher risk of developing many chronic diseases. Below, we’ll dive into how clean water intake can help you optimize your longevity and make smarter choices.

Avoiding Water in Plastic Bottles

Recently, there have been lots of news stories about the microplastics found in the human body. Commercial water bottles that are packaged in plastic are often filtered, but that doesn’t mean the water is totally clean. 

Plastic water bottles contain microplastics that make their way into human arteries and other harmful compounds, which have been linked to oxidative stress and inflammation in the body.  For biohackers looking to hack longevity, switching to drinking from stainless steel or glass water bottles can help you avoid microplastics. 

Other ways to avoid microplastics include paying close attention to wearing clothes made with synthetic fibers and avoiding cooking with plastic utensils or eating off of plastic plates. While it might not be attainable to never drink out of plastic again, minimizing your exposure can certainly make an impactful difference.

Trace Pollutants in Water

Once you’ve switched your water container, it’s also important to consider the source of the water you’re consuming. Different regions of the country may have higher or lower-quality water. City regions tend to contain more pollutants and toxins, including trace metals, which may be linked to a variety of chronic diseases. For this reason, avoid drinking unfiltered tap water. Standard water filtration systems, such as Pur or Brita, are better than drinking tap water but not as powerful as a reverse osmosis filter.

Instead of drinking tap water or water in plastic bottles, switching to a reverse osmosis filter is a great idea to help clarify your water. Healthy minerals can also be added to your water by using a trace mineral supplement that mixes into your water. A reverse osmosis water filter is an investment in your long-term health. Many newer systems hook up to your faucet to make filtration easy.

There are multiple reasons to move to reverse osmosis water – from improved water taste to better cooking. But the primary reason to switch is for ultra-clean water that is free from impurities. The reverse osmosis filtration process carefully removes lead, copper, fluoride, and other harmful contaminants. 

Drinking Alkaline Water or Molecular Hydrogen Water

Alkaline water is a specific type of water that has a pH of over 7.0. Many people have switched to alkaline water because of many interesting benefits, supported by research. For example, some have found that drinking alkaline water helps improve symptoms of acid reflux and improves digestion. However, lots of alkaline water is packed in plastic bottles, so be sure to look for a brand that packages in glass bottles only to avoid exposure to microplastics. 

Molecular hydrogen water is another type of water that contains a dissolved hydrogen gas. Molecular hydrogen offers antioxidant benefits to help fight against harmful free radicals in the body and reduce oxidative stress. This unique “hack” could help impact your longevity, helping to reduce widespread inflammation in the body. 

Research has also found that drinking water infused with hydrogen gas could help support more stable blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity, helping to reduce your risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. Molecular hydrogen water can be obtained by purchasing a specialized pitcher that infuses nitrogen into the water.

Considering Your Water Quality

Small changes to your water consumption can make a huge impact in supporting your long-term health. Alongside other simple biohacks, you can lead a healthier life and reduce your risk of developing a chronic disease simply by changing your water quality. 

  1. Jamie A. Koufman, Johnston Nikki, Potential Benefits of pH 8.8 Alkaline Drinking Water as an Adjunct in the Treatment of Reflux Disease, Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology, 2012;121(7):431–4, doi: 10.1177/000348941212100702, PMID: 22844861: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22844861/. 
  2. Joseph Weidman, et al., Effect of electrolyzed high-pH alkaline water on blood viscosity in healthy adults, Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 2016;13(1), doi: 10.1186/s12970-016-0153-8, PMID: 27932937; PMCID: PMC5126823: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27932937/. 1
  3. Isabella Gambino, et al., Occurrence of Microplastics in Tap and Bottled Water: Current Knowledge, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2022;19(9):5283, doi: 10.3390/ijerph19095283, PMCID: PMC9103198; PMID: 35564678: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9103198/.