Water underpins absolutely everything in the body, and increasing my intake was one of the simplest but most effective changes I’ve ever made. Drinking more water helped me overcome frequent headaches, ongoing lethargy and even joint pain — all things I hadn’t immediately connected to hydration at the time. It’s a reminder that before reaching for anything else, water is often the first place to start.
That said, water isn’t completely without its considerations. In the UK, tap water can contain trace chemicals, hormones and additives such as fluoride, which is automatically added in some areas. There are recognised public health benefits to this, and I’m not saying it’s right or wrong — just that it’s something people may want to be aware of. Bottled water isn’t the perfect solution either; it’s not great for the planet and can leach microplastics after sitting in plastic bottles for long periods.
My own workaround is using a stainless steel bottle — glass is another option, but I don’t trust myself — and stainless steel also has the benefit of preventing algae growth, as light can’t penetrate it. To filter my tap water, I use a charcoal log, held in place with a small metal clip so it doesn’t clonk around every time I tip the bottle. The charcoal helps absorb impurities and can also improve the taste and mineral balance of the water. It can be refreshed every few months by soaking it in boiling water.
Before trying anything more complicated, I always suggest simply increasing water intake — but with balance in mind. It is possible to overdo it and flush out too many electrolytes, so aiming for a steady around two litres a day works well for most people. If you exercise a lot, drink more than average, or are travelling (particularly flying), adding an electrolyte formula can be really helpful. I find electrolytes especially useful on hot days and plane journeys, when dehydration tends to creep up unnoticed.
These are my go to products for keeping my water intake consistent and healthy… Just click on the image to be taken to the Amazon product page:
Electrolytes
These are the electrolytes I use, more so for travel or extremely hot days than an every days thing:
