Drinking water is more important than you might think. Just because you are “drinking a liquid” does not mean you are hydrating your body.

I grew up not thinking much about water or how important it was for my health. But from the moment I began researching holistic health and nutrition more than forty years ago, one truth became clear: one of the most important parts of having good health is being hydrated.

I learned this valuable information from Dr. Fereydoon Batmanghelidj MD’s books, which focused on the healing power of water. He treated and cured approximately 3,000 prisoners suffering from what he called chronic intracellular dehydration. Water is a key ingredient for our health and well-being because our bodies are 66–72 percent water. Water is the elixir of life. Blood uses water to transport oxygen, nutrients, and antibodies to all parts of the body. Here is a list of some of his books: “Your Body’s Many Cries for Water, Body Thirst Signals and the Damage of Chronic Dehydration”, “Water: For Health, For Healing, For Life: You’re Not Sick, You’re Thirsty!”,“Water Cures: Drugs Kill – How Water Cured Incurable Diseases”, “Water: Rx For A Healthier, Pain-Free Life”, and “Water and Salt: Your Healers from Within”.

Water is the living medium that carries nutrients, oxygen, and the body’s own subtle signals from one system to another.

People have studied water for centuries, and it still remains a mystery. Dr. Gerald Pollack’s decades of research at the University of Washington revealed that water can form an ordered, gel-like structure next to certain surfaces—what he calls the fourth phase of water, or EZ (Exclusion Zone) water.

Decades earlier, Japanese Doctor of Alternative Medicine, Masaru Emoto, published photographs and research in his books, such as “The Hidden Messages in Water”. He claimed and showed in his photographic experiments that water, which had been frozen after exposure to positive words (such as love and gratitude), were gorgeous crystals in various unique shapes, while water exposed to negative words (such as “hate”), formed unpleasant, messy shapes. He stated that human intention, music, and prayers can physically alter water molecules. These studies continue to invite both wonder and careful scientific attention. This makes me wonder what our thoughts can do to the water in the cells of our body. Some definite food for thought! Because of his research, I make certain that my water containers always have positive messages on them.

I started addressing water quality when my children were young, after learning that U.S. municipal water often contains chemicals, residues, pharmaceutical drugs, and other contaminants that can affect our health.

As I watch my grandchildren play sports through long, hot summers, I realize that now, more than ever, they need non-toxic, mineral-rich water to maintain their health and well-being.

Dr. Bryan Ardis observed the serious consequences of dehydration, heat exhaustion, and mineral loss in athletes and even young children during sports. Over the past eight years, he has developed a nutrient and mineral-rich supplement that replenishes what the body loses through sweat. It is, in some ways, more hydrating than just about anything else I know of. (If you wish to order, use my link and the discount code “Nancy” for a discount.)

Every year (especially during summers of intense heat) brings many reports of heat-related illness, collapse, and even death among athletes who become dehydrated. That reality, together with decades of study, clinical work, and my writing of six books on holistic health, continues to shape how I approach water, and how I teach others when counseling them.

Research shows that water that has been placed in or next to certain surfaces can form an ordered state that behaves differently from ordinary municipal water, and may consequently play an important role inside our living tissues. Something as simple as using a copper water bottle can be a real game-changer. Copper is a required structural part of the antioxidant enzyme “copper-zinc superoxide dismutase” (Cu/Zn-SOD). This enzyme neutralizes harmful “superoxide” free radicals in the body, and without enough copper, this enzyme cannot function properly.

How Much of Us Is Water

The adult body is roughly 60 percent water. Of this, the brain and heart contain about 73 percent, the lungs about 83 percent, the muscles and kidneys around 79 percent, and even bone holds approximately 31 percent. Every cell relies on this fluid to move nutrients and oxygen, regulate temperature, support digestion, cushion joints, and allow our internal systems to communicate.

By the time we feel thirsty, we are already dehydrated. Early signs include dry mouth, darker urine, fatigue, and lower urine output. Children are especially vulnerable, particularly when illness causes fluid loss. Hot weather increases both water and mineral loss through sweat.

Airplane travel is extremely dehydrating because the air inside the cabin is very dry, so fluid is lost through the skin and breath during flight.

Caffeinated and alcoholic beverages can make the problem even worse.

When I am at the airport and need to buy a drink, I look for pure coconut water. It contains no added chemicals and is packed with natural minerals (electrolytes), making it extremely hydrating. One of the standout nutrients in coconut water is potassium. A single cup provides about 400 milligrams of this mineral, which plays a crucial role in muscle function and heart health.

Many popular drinks—especially diet sodas, flavored waters, sports drinks, and low-calorie beverages—contain substances that can actually work against true hydration and cellular health.

Two of the most concerning ingredients are aspartame and monosodium glutamate (MSG). Dr. Russell Blaylock, a neurosurgeon and author of the book Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills, has written extensively about these compounds. He explains that aspartame and MSG belong to a class of chemicals called excitotoxins. These substances can overstimulate neurons in the brain. When neurons are overstimulated for too long, they can become exhausted, and eventually damaged or destroyed.²²

Aspartame is the artificial sweetener found in many diet sodas, sugar-free drinks, chewing gums, and flavored beverages. MSG is commonly used as a flavor enhancer in processed foods and some drinks. Both are widely present in products people reach for when they think they are “hydrating.”

Many commercial sports drinks also contain a range of additives. In the past, some citrus-flavored sports drinks, including earlier versions of Gatorade, contained brominated vegetable oil (BVO). Research raised concerns that bromine-containing compounds can compete with iodine and potentially interfere with normal thyroid function.²³ While major brands have since removed BVO, the broader point remains: many sports drinks are loaded with ingredients that do little to support true cellular hydration.

True hydration is not simply about putting liquid into your mouth. It is about giving your cells pure water, and the minerals they need to function properly.

A rough guideline I have used for years is approximately one ounce of pure water for every two pounds of body weight each day, along with a small amount of high-quality unrefined mineral-rich salt, such as Redmond Real Salt. I drink most of it between meals because drinking large amounts during meals can interfere with thorough chewing, dilute digestive enzymes, and may also contribute to digestive problems.

Across many cultures, including Traditional Chinese Medicine, drinking warm or hot water has long been a daily wellness habit. Digestion works best when the stomach and intestines are warm and relaxed. Warm foods and beverages are easier for the body to break down, while cold drinks require extra effort to process. When the body repeatedly has to warm cold liquids, it uses energy that could otherwise support digestion and nutrient absorption.²⁴ Choosing warm or room-temperature mineral-rich water can be a simple yet powerful way to support both hydration and digestive comfort.

What Happens When Water Is Not Clean

Most city water contains chlorine, fluoride, and other unwanted substances. Chlorine was first developed as a chemical weapon. It can destroy Vitamin E in the body and disrupt beneficial probiotics in the intestines. Industrial chemist J.P. Bercz, PhD, showed in 1992 that chlorinated water alters and destroys unsaturated essential fatty acids (EFAs), the building blocks of the brain and central nervous system.¹

Chlorine is commonly used to kill disease-causing organisms in water from rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), it is essentially a pesticide. A University of Minnesota researcher, Dr. Robert Carlson, whose work was sponsored by the EPA, stated that “the chlorine problem is similar to that of air pollution” and that “chlorine is the greatest crippler and killer of modern times.”¹⁷

When chlorine reacts with organic matter in surface water, it forms disinfection by-products (DBPs), including trihalomethanes. Studies have linked long-term exposure to these by-products with increased risks of certain cancers.¹⁹ Our skin is our largest organ. While showering or swimming in chlorinated water, chlorine is absorbed directly into the bloodstream. Research continues to link swimming in chlorinated pools to various health concerns.² Residual chlorine can also shift the balance of bacteria living in the gut.

In addition to chlorine and fluoride, many municipal water supplies now contain trace amounts of pharmaceutical drugs. These include antibiotics, hormones, antidepressants, pain medications, and other prescription and over-the-counter drugs. They enter the water primarily through human excretion, improper disposal of unused medications, and agricultural runoff. Conventional water treatment plants are not designed to fully remove these compounds.²⁰ Even at very low concentrations, long-term exposure to mixtures of pharmaceutical residues raises concerns about hormone balance, antibiotic resistance, and effects on developing children.²⁰ ²¹

Fluoride added to many municipal water supplies is sodium fluoride, a byproduct of aluminum and fertilizer manufacturing. It is different from the calcium fluoride that occurs naturally. According to Dr. Paul Connett, PhD:

“Fluoride is a cumulative poison. On average, only 50 percent of the fluoride we ingest each day is excreted through the kidneys. The remainder accumulates in our bones, pineal gland, and other tissues.”³

Dr. Connett notes that the level of fluoride put into water (1 ppm) is up to 200 times higher than normally found in mothers’ milk.⁴ Research has raised questions about possible effects on thyroid function, bone health, and other systems.¹¹⁻¹⁶ Several European countries do not add fluoride to their water supplies.

Details Concerning Bottled And Purified Water

EPA standards for the Clean Water Act do not apply to bottled water. There is little regulation on bottled water, which is why I recommend a purification system in your house. In fact, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council:

“The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency oversees the quality of water that comes out of your tap, while the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is responsible for ensuring the safety and truthful labeling of bottled water sold nationally. States are responsible for regulating water that is both packaged and sold within its borders (which is most of the market), but one in five states doesn’t even bother. It’s important to note that the federal government does not require bottled water to be safer than tap. In fact, just the opposite is true in many cases. Tap water in most big cities must be disinfected, filtered to remove pathogens, and tested for cryptosporidium and giardia. Bottled water does not have to be.”²⁵

Bottled water is often simply municipal water that has been treated and placed in plastic. Plastic can have many negative effects on the body. Bottled water in plastic containers can also release microplastics and nanoplastics into the water, especially when exposed to heat or stored for long periods. These tiny plastic particles are increasingly being found in the human body and are a real health concern. I highly recommend avoiding plastic and aluminum containers whenever possible, and using glass, pure copper, and high-quality stainless steel instead.

If you are using a reverse osmosis system, ZeroWater filter, distiller, or a Berkey® system—some of the better filtering systems for purifying water—these systems can remove many contaminants but also strip away beneficial minerals. Adding a small pinch of unrefined mineral-rich salt helps restore what filtration has taken away.

Minerals That True Hydration Requires

Heavy sweating removes more than water. It removes magnesium and copper—minerals the body needs for energy, muscle function, and protection against cellular stress. Magnesium takes part in hundreds of enzymatic reactions. It is required for muscle contraction and relaxation, a steady heartbeat, and the production of cellular energy. Low levels appear quickly as cramps, fatigue, and slow recovery, and in severe cases can contribute to serious cardiovascular events.

Copper, though needed only in smaller amounts, supports enzymes that produce energy inside the mitochondria and helps the body use iron properly. When copper is low, resilience declines. Most commercial sports drinks replace sodium and sometimes potassium, yet they almost never replace magnesium or copper in a highly usable form. Clean water, together with full mineral support, is the wiser approach.

Foods and beverages that supply both fluid and minerals—fresh fruits and vegetables (such as watermelon, apples, oranges, and cucumbers), coconut water, and herbal teas—offer healthy hydration alongside pure mineral water.

Water That Carries More Than Molecules

Water is not only a liquid nutrient. Structured water may be significantly more hydrating. Structured water may support hydration by organizing H₂O molecules into hexagonal clusters, potentially improving cellular absorption, nutrient transport, and whole-body wellness—benefiting the brain, joints, kidneys, and skin.

Structured water may also carry electrical and vibrational information within living systems. Methods that filter, structure, and enrich water with molecular hydrogen—the smallest antioxidant molecule—have received careful scientific attention. Studies show that hydrogen-rich water can support the body’s antioxidant defenses and help reduce everyday oxidative stress.

I share these approaches as part of an ongoing inquiry, not as final answers. My work has always centered on clear education and practical steps people can actually use.

Simple Daily Practices

  •  Begin the day with a glass of clean, mineral-rich water (warm or room temperature is often easier on digestion).

  •  Drink from glass, pure copper, or stainless-steel containers.

  •  Add a small amount of unrefined mineral-rich salt to purified water.

  •  Avoid sugary, artificially sweetened, artificially colored, and synthetically mineral-fortified drinks.

  •  Choose foods and beverages that provide both fluid and minerals, such as organic fresh fruit, vegetables, and coconut water.

  •  Eat organically grown foods that naturally contain mineral-rich water.

  •  Limit unnecessary chlorine exposure from swimming pools and municipal tap water.

  •  Drink extra mineral-rich clean water before, during, and after air travel.

  •  Consider structured, hydrogen-rich water and thoughtful mineral support as part of a coherent plan.

  •  A few slices of citrus or a sprig of mint can make pure water more inviting and delicious without changing its character.

The Animals in Our Care

The same principles apply to all living creatures, including dogs, cats, and horses. They also depend on clean water and adequate minerals for energy, muscle integrity, and resilience in heat. Animals can dehydrate quickly, especially when active or heavily coated. Chemically treated water places the same challenges on their health as it does on ours. As both a holistic nutritionist and an international wildlife rehabilitator, I always make certain they have a plentiful supply of clean water at all times—especially during hot summer months and cold winter times when drinking water can freeze.

Clean, mineral-rich, structured water is one of the most fundamental supports we can offer ourselves and those we love. When nutrients such as magnesium and other essential minerals are present, the body is better able to meet the demands of heat, activity, travel, and ordinary daily life.

In a world of chemical exposures, refined foods, and constant environmental stress, returning to pure, well-structured water is both a practical and an intelligent choice.

I am available as a health counselor for those who wish to know more or who face a serious health challenge. My books offer detailed information on health, nutrition, and recipes.

For those interested in a structured, high-pH, hydrogen-, light-, and frequency-infused water system, I recommend the LifeWave X₂O technology. You can watch videos about it here:

  • LifeWave X₂O: Enlightened Water, Elevated Hydration https://vimeo.com/1179996235?fl=pl&fe=sh

  •  X20 Benefits Based on 3 Clinical Studies with David Schmidt https://vimeo.com/1171623419

If you would like to learn more or order, visit my LifeWave page:

https://lifewave.com/nancyaddison

If you do order, I would greatly appreciate it if you use my referral number 1439757 so I can support you in using the technology effectively.

In Closing, try to start with small, precise changes. Drink pure, mineral-rich water in the morning—preferably warm or room temperature. Reduce sugary and artificial drinks. Pay close attention to the quality of the water and the minerals available to both the people and the animals in your life.

And remember… improving the quality of your water may be one of the most important things you ever do to maintain a long healthy life.