What is the healthiest water you can drink in the world?

September 21, 2025 •

4 min read

With water making up about 60% of your body weight, it's essential for nearly every major bodily function. The search for the ultimate source often raises the question: What is the healthiest water you can drink in the world? The answer, however, is more complex than simply picking a brand off the shelf.

Quick Summary

The healthiest water you can drink depends on your unique needs, with the best option often balancing factors like purity, mineral content, and cost. While pristine spring or mineral waters are naturally rich in nutrients, high-quality filtered tap water is a top contender for most people, offering an excellent combination of safety, affordability, and sustainability.

Key Points

No Single Best Water: The 'healthiest' water is a personalized choice, depending on factors like purity, mineral content, and affordability.
Filtered Tap Water is a Top Contender: For most people, high-quality filtered tap water offers the best balance of safety, low cost, and environmental sustainability.
Don't Assume Bottled is Better: Many bottled waters are just processed tap water and often come with a significant environmental cost due to plastic production and waste.
Understand Filtration: Different filtration methods (carbon, reverse osmosis, UV) remove different contaminants. Choose a filter based on your local tap water quality.
Consider Mineral Content: While some purification methods strip water of beneficial minerals, you can compensate through a healthy diet or by choosing mineral-rich water sources.
Be Skeptical of Special Claims: Claims about alkaline or structured water should be viewed with caution, as the scientific evidence supporting their significant health benefits is often limited.

Understanding the different types of water

Choosing the right water can be a confusing journey, with countless options available. To make an informed decision, it's crucial to understand the different types and what they offer.

Tap water: The convenient and controversial choice

In many developed countries, municipal tap water is regulated by agencies like the EPA and is a safe, cost-effective, and readily available hydration source. However, its quality varies greatly depending on the local source, plumbing, and treatment processes. While treated to kill germs with chlorine, some people dislike the taste, and it can contain trace amounts of contaminants like lead, depending on the pipes. The convenience and low cost, along with the reduced environmental footprint compared to bottled water, make filtered tap water a strong contender for the average person.

Bottled water: Is it always better?

Despite the perception of superior purity, bottled water is not always a healthier alternative. The FDA regulates bottled water, but its standards may not be as strict as municipal water testing. Many bottled water brands simply use processed tap water, and the plastic bottles can leach harmful chemicals like BPA and microplastics into the water, especially when exposed to heat. Different types of bottled water include:

Spring Water: Sourced from an underground formation from which water flows naturally to the surface. It is naturally filtered and often contains minerals. The quality can still vary by brand and location.
Mineral Water: Must contain at least 250 parts per million of total dissolved solids (minerals) from a geologically and physically protected underground source. It is bottled at the source and has a distinctive taste.
Purified Water: Comes from various sources, including tap water, and is processed to remove contaminants using methods like distillation or reverse osmosis. This results in very pure water but also strips it of any beneficial minerals. Minerals may be added back for taste.

Specialized waters: The health claims debate

Several specialized waters are marketed for specific health benefits, though the scientific evidence supporting these claims can be limited.

Alkaline Water: With a higher pH level than neutral tap water, proponents claim it can neutralize acid in the bloodstream. However, experts note that the body does an excellent job of regulating its own pH, and most studies on its benefits are small or inconclusive.
Distilled Water: Created by boiling and condensing steam, leaving all impurities and minerals behind. While it is the purest form of water, it lacks the beneficial minerals found in other types. Long-term consumption without mineral supplementation is generally not recommended.
Structured Water: A controversial and less-understood concept, with claims that its hexagonal molecular structure offers enhanced hydration and energy. The scientific community has largely not accepted these claims.

The crucial role of filtration

For most people, the most practical and healthiest option is high-quality filtered tap water. Filtration addresses the primary concern with tap water—the potential presence of contaminants—while avoiding the environmental and chemical risks associated with bottled water.

Common filtration methods

Different filters remove different contaminants. Understanding the type of filter can help you choose the right one for your home:

Activated Carbon Filters: Uses a bed of activated carbon to remove organic chemicals, chlorine, and improves taste and odor. It does not remove dissolved minerals or heavy metals.
Reverse Osmosis (RO) Systems: Highly effective at removing contaminants, including heavy metals, fluoride, and total dissolved solids, by forcing water through a semipermeable membrane. The downside is that it also removes beneficial minerals, often wasting more water than it treats.
UV Filters: Uses ultraviolet light to kill bacteria and viruses. This is effective for microbiological contaminants but does not remove chemical pollutants or particles.
Ion Exchange Filters: Targets specific contaminants, often used in water softeners to reduce hard minerals like calcium and magnesium.

Water quality comparison table


Water Type	Source	Mineral Content	Purity Level	Cost	Environmental Impact
Filtered Tap	Municipal	Varies (depends on filter)	Good-Excellent	Low	Low (reusable bottle)
Spring	Natural Springs	Moderate	Good-Excellent	Moderate	High (single-use plastic)
Mineral	Protected Springs	High	Excellent	High	High (single-use plastic)
Purified (RO)	Various	None (can be added)	Excellent	Moderate	High (single-use plastic)
Alkaline	Processed	Varies	Varies	High	High (single-use plastic)
Distilled	Processed	None	Excellent	Moderate	High (single-use plastic)

Making your personal choice

To determine the healthiest water for you, consider these steps:

Test your tap water: Contact your local municipality for a water quality report to understand what's in your water. Some municipalities even offer free testing.
Choose a filter: Based on your tap water report, select a filter that addresses your specific concerns. For example, if you have old pipes, a filter that removes lead is a smart choice.
Evaluate bottled options carefully: If you prefer bottled, choose a reputable brand with transparent reporting. Consider brands that use recycled plastic or glass to reduce environmental impact.
Listen to your body: Pay attention to how you feel. Some people report benefits from mineral or alkaline water, but for most, consistent hydration with clean, pure water is the key.

The path to better hydration

Ultimately, the healthiest water is the one that is consistently pure, contains beneficial minerals, and is accessible. For a majority of the population, a high-quality filter combined with regular tap water offers the best balance of safety, health, and environmental responsibility. Choosing to filter your tap water saves money, reduces plastic waste, and ensures you're drinking water you can trust.

For more information on the importance of hydration and overall health, you can visit the Mayo Clinic's guide to staying hydrated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not necessarily. In many places, municipal tap water is heavily regulated and tested, making it as safe, if not safer, than many bottled options. Some bottled water is simply filtered tap water, and the plastic can pose health and environmental risks.

Alkaline water has a higher pH level than standard drinking water. Some studies have explored its potential health benefits, but much of the evidence is limited or inconclusive. Your body has its own systems for regulating pH, and there is no strong scientific consensus that consuming alkaline water offers significant health advantages.

Yes, reverse osmosis is a powerful filtration method that removes a wide range of contaminants but also strips the water of beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium. For long-term consumption, adding minerals back into RO water is often recommended.

Microplastics are a growing concern in both bottled and some tap water. Choosing filtered tap water stored in a reusable glass or stainless steel bottle is the most effective way to minimize your exposure and reduce plastic waste.

You can request an annual water quality report from your local water utility. For more detailed information, you can purchase a home testing kit or have your water professionally tested.

For those seeking mineral-rich water, options include natural mineral water from protected springs or adding mineral drops to filtered water. However, most people get the minerals they need from their diet, and water consumption is just one part of a balanced mineral intake.

While distilled water is very pure, the process removes all minerals. It is not recommended for regular, long-term drinking as it can leave the body depleted of essential electrolytes. It is primarily used for medical or industrial purposes.