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In this episode, I discuss our body’s most vital and essential nutrient—water. I explain the structure of water and how it is used by the cells and tissues of our body, how much water we each need to drink and when in order to optimize our mental focus and physical performance; and I include how exercise, humidity, heat, and caffeine affect our hydration needs. I explain how temperature and pH influence water’s physical properties and if there is any scientific basis for drinking so-called “pH water” or “alkalized water” to improve health. I explain how to test your tap water for contaminants (e.g., endocrine disruptors) and the documented problems with fluoride in drinking water. I provide options for filtering drinking water and describe different water types (e.g., reverse osmosis, hydrogen-enriched, electrolyzed reduced, deuterium depleted, etc.). Since the human body is mostly water (55-80% depending on one’s age) and water has essential roles in health, disease and cellular function, everyone ought to benefit from understanding how best to clean our tap water, hydrate effectively and in some cases, adjust the type of water we drink to allow our brain and body to function optimally in regard to health and performance.
Articles
- Impact of cold exposure on life satisfaction and physical composition of soldiers (BMJ Military Health)
- Circadian rhythms and the kidney (Nature Review Nephrology)
- Endocrine Disruptors in Water and Their Effects on the Reproductive System (International Journal of Molecular Sciences)
- Impact of Drinking Water Fluoride on Human Thyroid Hormones: A Case- Control Study (Scientific Reports)
- Regulations for calcium, magnesium or hardness in drinking water in the European Union member states (Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology)
- Electrolyzed-Reduced Water: Review I. Molecular Hydrogen Is the Exclusive Agent Responsible for the Therapeutic Effects (International Journal of Molecular Sciences)
- Electrolyzed-Reduced Water: Review II: Safety Concerns and Effectiveness as a Source of Hydrogen Water (International Journal of Molecular Sciences)
- Hydrogen-rich water reduces inflammatory responses and prevents apoptosis of peripheral blood cells in healthy adults: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial (Scientific Reports)
Other Resources
- Using Deliberate Cold Exposure for Health and Performance
- ClearlyFiltered Pitcher
- Berkey Filters
- Molecular Hydrogen
Water Filtration & Tests
Note: The Huberman Lab podcast and Dr. Huberman have no affiliation with any brands or Amazon vendors related to water filters or tests. Those listed at the URLs below are meant merely as comparative samples of price range options (~50-$500 depending on volume of water they hold; whole home system of ~$1,000).
We discuss zero-cost alternatives on the podcast that are not as effective as are direct filtering but are still superior options to drinking tap water directly.
Water Filters
- Approximately $100 or less
- Approximately $400
- Approximately $800 (whole home systems)
Water Tests
- To have your tap drinking water tested, call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791
- CDC Drinking Water
- Commercial test of at home water (~$20)
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