Detox diets are increasingly popular as an attempt to maintain health, as modern life increases exposure to manufactured chemicals and products. There are several types of cleanses, with most involving adequate hydration. But what if the water you are cleansing with contains the very toxins you’re attempting to flush from your body? A quality filtration system can supply the healthy water needed for a successful detox. Filtered water consumption naturally boosts the body’s natural detoxification processes by improving hydration and reducing exposure to harmful contaminants that can hinder detox results. Learn more about water’s role in detoxification, benefits of filtered water, contaminants in tap water, and how to integrate filtered water into your detox diet. (Disclaimer: This article contains spons0red content, meaning we may receive compensation from the products or services mentioned.)
The Role of Water in Detox Diets
Detox diets are short term dietary restrictions meant to reduce toxins, assist weight loss, and promote health. Generally they involve a period of fasting followed by eating and drinking certain beverages and foods. Many involve detox water, or water that contains chopped up herbs, fruits, and vegetables. Water is imperative for a detox, as it naturally flushes your system of toxins like pollutants, synthetic chemicals, heavy metals, and other harmful compounds by boosting your digestive system. A well-hydrated body lacks constipation and absorbs beneficial nutrients better. Hydration is also proven to assist in raising energy levels, improving mood, boosting immune systems, enhancing memory and focus, and improving complexion and hair health – all goals looking to be achieved by a detox diet.
Types of Contaminants in Tap Water and Their Effects on Detox
Remember the list of toxins you’re trying to flush from your body with a detox? It is very similar to the list of contaminants commonly found in tap water. Tap water often contains heavy metals, chemicals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, herbicides, and more, that make their way into water supplies via old pipes, ground seepage, and from old, unregulated treatment systems. Plus, treated water contains chlorine, which studies show has a negative impact on your gut flora. All of these unwanted water contaminants hinder the positive effects expected from a detox.
Benefits of Filtered Water on Detox Diets
You can avoid the negative effects of contaminated water with a water filter system. Depending on the filter you choose, you can greatly reduce impurities for a healthy, clean base for your detox teas, waters, and more. Filtering water often improves taste as well, making water more palatable. The better water tastes, the more willing you will be to drink it, and the more you drink, the more health effects you can experience from proper hydration.
Types of Water Filters Suitable for Detox Diets
Choosing a water filter for your detox diet begins with knowing what impurities to reduce. This can be accomplished by viewing municipal water quality reports, requesting a water test from your city, or purchasing an at-home test. Other factors include how much water you’re filtering, and budget. Let’s take a look at the top five filter choices for a detox diet.
Carbon Filters
Carbon filters absorb chemicals like chlorine to improve taste, odor, and appearance of water. Chlorine makes tap water safe for everyone by killing harmful bacteria and other disease-causing pathogens. But it also affects the good bacteria in your digestive system and dries out skin and hair. Activated carbon filters provide additional reduction of heavy metals, pesticides, and more, while allowing healthy minerals to remain. Carbon filters can be as simple as a pitcher filter, an inline filter, or a cartridge filter in under-sink or whole house filtration systems, making them a versatile and typically affordable option.
Sediment Filters
Another versatile option are sediment water filters. Sediment filters reduce dust, dirt, rust, and other particulate matter. They offer a variety of media materials and configurations, sizes, and micron ratings. Sediment filters can be stand-alone or pre-fitlers in a multisage system providing protection to the consecutive cartridges. While sediment isn’t particularly harmful to your health, it can carry bacteria, heavy metals, and other contaminants, so reduction is beneficial. Sediment filters tend to be a relatively inexpensive option as well.
Reverse Osmosis
For enhanced reduction of impurities, a reverse osmosis system can be a great choice. RO systems have 0.0001 micron membranes to reduce over 99% of TDS (total dissolved solids) including heavy metals, sodium, minerals, and more for a practically pure base for your detox. This does mean, however, that the water will not only be devoid of impurities, but also healthy minerals, giving it a flat taste.
To improve taste, look for RO systems with an alkaline filter that adds back beneficial minerals for better pH and flavor. Traditional RO systems are under-sink filters that take up quite a bit of space under kitchen sinks and have more complicated installs that may require professional assistance. The purchase and maintenance costs can also be higher. To combat space, installation, and cost issues you can consider countertop systems. Countertop ROs won’t offer as much filtered water at once, but they are an excellent choice for quick access to filtered water for your tea or detox water.
UV Filters
UV filters kill bacteria and viruses with safe ultraviolet radiation. UV filters do not filter any other impurities from water. Instead they are usually used in conjunction with an RO or whole house system to ensure filtered water is fresh and clean of pathogens. For example, a UV filter can be used in a RO storage tank so filtered water is still fresh, even after sitting for a while.
How to Integrate Filtered Water into Your Detox Diet
After choosing your filter, you can put it to use for your detox diet. An easy way to integrate filtered water is for making detox water. Chop up your herbs, fruits, and/or vegetables and add to filtered water. Under-sink or whole house systems allow for cleaning fruits and vegetables with filtered water as well. Staying hydrated is great for natural daily cleansing of the body beyond detox diets. Filtered water for hydration ensures water is healthy enough to assist with digestive system health, nutrient absorption, and boosting immune systems.
Potential Downsides and Limitations
Detox diets themselves are rather limiting, particularly if you participate in a period of fasting. Adding a dedication to using filtered water means relying on water from home rather than risking potentially unfiltered water from other sources. Water filters also require space, and in addition to purchase costs, will have ongoing maintenance costs.
Expert Tips on Maximizing Filtered Water Benefits for Detox
Choosing carbon filters will reduce impurities but allows healthy minerals to remain, maximizing the benefits of your filtered water. If you do opt for more intense filtration, a remineralizing alkaline filter can add back lost beneficial minerals. Proper maintenance on your filter system ensures continued access to clean filtered water for your detox diet. Mainly, make sure to replace cartridges in a timely manner. Look at manufacturer’s recommendations for replacement, and if you notice a sudden, significant drop in water pressure, it is time for a cartridge changeout.
Conclusion
Detox diets are a popular way to try and cleanse the body of unwanted toxins for a boost in overall health. An important part of these diets is staying hydrated, so it only makes sense to incorporate a water filter system to access cleaner, clearer water. Choosing the right water filter system can be an important step to improving your detox diet journey.
Join the discussion!