I am somewhat skeptical about the results of this study, as the research was sponsored by Kao Corp., a Japanese health care manufacturer that makes and sells -- among others -- green tea beverages. Still, the presence of catechins is a good thing, as they have been found to protect the heart and cardiovascular system.

It is important to recognize, however, that while tea is an acceptable fluid to drink, it must be done in moderation, as previous research has found high levels of fluoride present in some teas. It is therefore wise to due your homework before choosing a green (or black) tea to drink. If you don't have time to do this, but would like to enjoy a healthy cup of tea, we do have green and black tea extracts in our store that are fluoride- and caffeine-free.

Importance of Drinking Pure Water

Nonetheless, I believe that pure water is what we were designed to drink and once we veer too far from this fluid there is a potential of developing some health problems. A rough guide to determine how much water you should drink is about a quart a day for every 50 pounds of body weight you carry. Please understand that this is nothing but an estimate. It is far better to listen to what your body is telling you about how thirsty you are. You can also monitor your urine as a good guide to how much water you need (your urine will be pale (not dark) yellow if you're getting a good amount of water).

Water is extremely important to your health and quality of life. You can exist without food for months, but without water you can only survive for a few days. In fact, your body is made up mostly of water, which:

• Is essential for digestion, nutrient absorption and elimination
• Aids circulation
• Helps control the body's temperature
• Lubricates and cushions joints
• Keeps the skin healthy
• Helps remove toxins from your body

Every day you lose water from your body through your urine, stool and sweat, and this fluid needs to be replenished. That is why your body has come equipped with a mechanism that tells you when you need to replenish your supply -- it's called thirst! However, you must be cautious of the type of water you are putting in your body because many sources contain toxins and contaminants that may harm your health.

So what type of water should you be drinking?

Clean, spring water and filtered water -- I do not recommend drinking tap water or distilled water. And contrary to traditional belief, it's also important to avoid fluoridated water.

A helpful step you can take for you and your family is to ensure the safety of your tap water supply by having it tested. This will help you to determine what type of filter you need to make sure your water is free from heavy metals, bacteria and other harmful contaminants.

Additionally, it is environmentally prudent to avoid bottled water, as it is a serious strain on the environment. Plus, some bottled water may not be any better than plain old tap water.

For more information on the importance of drinking pure water, please review my past article Do You Really Need Eight Glasses of Water a Day?

Related Articles:

Green Tea May Not Prevent Stomach Cancer

Green Tea Helps You Fight Cancer

How to Get Clean Water for Good Health

Coke Wants to Fool You With Their Bottled Water

Protect Your Drinking Water From Herbicides