Drinking tap water can prevent obesity but does too much pose a health risk?

May 4, 6:02 PMFitness ExaminerStefan Pinto

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The objective in a recent obesity study by Pediatrics magazine tested whether promoting water consumption was effective in preventing over weight among children in elementary schools. Although the participants in the study were second and third graders in socially deprived German cities, the study is applicable here as it raises awareness to the foundation of an obesity epidemic that might possibly begin with childhood.

According to Dr. Stuart Fischer, author of The Park Avenue Diet, “20 percent of four year olds are obese... these children grow up as hypertensive diabetics with early heart, brain, and kidney disease.” He adds that “these children will be at an economic disadvantage once they mature because of higher insurance premiums, prohibitive cost of education, and employability issues.” Certainly, but is this a “failure of the American health system” as Dr. Fischer notes, or is it our responsibility – as adults?

Drink more water

We all already know, or have at least read about, the health benefits of drinking water, but water for weight loss? Dr. Joanna Dolgof, a board certified pediatrician in New York runs an obesity clinic, and suggests that by “simply drinking seve additional ounces of water each day will drastically decrease one’s risk of obesity.” Shane Ellison, author of The Hidden Truth About Cholesterol Lowering Drugs, explains that “water consumption increases metabolism by up to 30% courtesy of activating thermogenesis – the phenomenon of converting fat to heat. The leaning-out process occurs from "uncoupling proteins" found within fat cells.” He suggests that without enough water in our bodies, fat gets stored more easily.

But what about water weight? Dr. Ellison explains that there are two types of water weight, inside the cell and outside. “When inside, we look ripped and shredded. When outside, we look bloated and fat. By consuming purified water before meals, we are ensuring that our body uses it inside the cell not outside. We are also ensuring that our metabolism is boosted by the water carried into the cell.” Seema Csukas, Medical Director of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta advises that "the focus should be on body fat composition, not water retention. The benefits of water are many including adequate hydration for the body without adding calories." Dr.Tyran Mincey a Chiropractic Physician and Certified Applied Kinesiologist with Integrated Healthcare of Montclair agrees, "a healthy person who consumes reasonable amounts of water has no chance of gaining fat or looking fat as a result. In fact it usually  is absorbed and put to use in about five minutes or less, depending on the amount consumed."

All of this is well and good. But with torrents of misgivings surrounding pandemics, luxury purchases and environmental pollution, who knew that the mere act of drinking water (sometimes no longer automatic or even free at restaurants) could be so complicated? Frankly, I think purchasing bottled water is a waste of money, and as I remain in doubt about the effectiveness of the recycling mission here in Miami, I opt instead for tap water.

... tap water?

The drinktap.org website, presented by the American Water Works Association (the authoritative resource on safe water) confirms that when it comes to viruses "tap water that has been treated by conventional disinfection processes does not likely pose a risk for transmission of influenza viruses. Current drinking water treatment regulations provide a high degree of protection from viruses.” Although the site does admit that “no research has been completed on the susceptibility of the novel H1N1 flu virus (Swine Flu) to conventional drinking water treatment processes.” However, according to a “Chemicals Used for Treatment of Drinking Water Supplies” document forwarded to me by Martin Chalk an employee of what he calls a “functional water company,” many public health officers will tell you that chemicals are only present in small amounts. Yet these amounts are toxic enough to kill every living organism in the water (that's their job) and then we drink it.” Some of these processes and chemicals are:

• Antimicrobial chemicals to remove the two most common waterborne pathogens  - cryptosporidium and giradria
• Fluoride - one of the most dangerous toxic industrial chemicals on the planet  - alongside chlorine (which is also a potent carcinogen and added)
• chemicals that help preserve the infrastructure of the pipes -stop them from calcifying and silting. 

“I know what is in tap water and I refuse to drink it,” Mr. Chalk wrote in his email along with a link to this Huffington Post article implying pharmaceutical collusion. But pollutants may not only exist in our tap water. David Fowler, CEO of Wellness Enterprises, LLC, a company that manufactures water filtration products, advises that "a recent study of ten different brands of bottled water showed that several of the brands were contaminated with pharmaceuticals such as Tylenol®, ibuprofen and Prozac™...shocking evidence that even bottled water is not always safe." Shocking indeed.

But would you go to a third world country and drink their un-chlorinated water? Cancer specialist, William Dunn confirms that “chlorine can indeed cause cancerous by products after they kill any remaining bacteria after filtration. However, though a Harvard study showed the potential for these by-products to be dangerous in high quantities (in lab animals), they simply aren't concentrated enough to harm humans.” This sounds a lot like Erin Brockovich to me.

Environmental health expert, Teresa Holler, succeeds in scaring us even more with this bit of information, “many [chemicals found in water] have been linked to cancer, reproductive toxicity, developmental toxicity and immune system damage. They include rocket fuel (perchlorate), a gasoline additive (MTBE); chemical by-products of water disinfection, plasticizers (phthalates), chemicals used in industrial and consumer products, pharmaceutical drugs and fuel combustion byproducts.” 

Ms. Holler suggests you obtain a copy of the Consumer Confidence Report from your local water utility. Also check out http://www.ewg.org/tapwater/ to identify which unregulated chemicals may be present in your water supply.

Perhaps, then I should resume buying water? Let me know your thoughts. Comment below.