2007-08-19 06:48:51 · 6 answers · asked by jessica_lucci2006 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Jessica: remember you should not repeatedly post questions.
Drinking absolutely pure water is not beneficial as it lacks essential minerals. Pure water is essential to the manufacture of medicines, so in that respect it has health benefits!
Water is essential to life.
Clean disease free water is essential to human health.
There are number of diseases that are water borne. Water that is contaminated with human faeces is likely contain pathogenic micro-organisms that cause disease (2)
Examples of diseases that can be water borne include: Cholera, Shigella and Typhoid.
Water sources can also be contaminated with parasites, which can infect humans and cause disease for example Schistosoma mansoni (italics), which causes Schistosomiasis commonly unknown as Bilharzia (3).
Water can also be contaminated with poisonous chemicals as a result of industry including; mining and factory waste. Waste products could include heavy metals like mercury or arsenic (4), organic toxins, pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers; as well; as radiological hazards (7).
The distance clean water is from homes in developing countries is a key determinant of human health. Women who are commonly the water gathers in developing countries are most likely to be infected by parasites at the water source. They also make key decisions about what water to use (5). The health of the bread winners in all human communities has a major impact on the social and economic prospects of the communities (3).
Access to clean water in developing countries is a major issue within the United Nations (8), World Health Organisation (7) and is actively tackled by many developed nations. The US Centre for Disease Control has a number of health initiative related to waterborne disease (6). The United Nations has a "Water for Life 2005-2015" initiative.
This sums it up pretty well:
"Water and Sanitation is one of the primary drivers of public health. I often refer to it as “Health 101”, which means that once we can secure access to clean water and to adequate sanitation facilities for all people, irrespective of the difference in their living conditions, a huge battle against all kinds of diseases will be won."
Dr LEE Jong-wook, Director-General, World Health Organization.
The sites I have sited will provide a great deal of additional information.
2007-08-19 07:08:40 · answer #1 · answered by phytat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it is pure enough to be free of bacteria, viruses, and spores than you get your hydration without getting the kinds of diseases that killed millions in the Middle Ages or last century in developing countries.
Once it is that "pure" it is not obvious that making it any purer (like distilled water which is condensed steam) will add to the health benefits.
2007-08-19 07:14:39 · answer #2 · answered by Rich Z 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
From technological point of view it's too difficult to obtain pure water. This isn't possible everywhere.
Pure water is necessary in modern technologies, medicine, drug industry, research, and almost everrywhere!
2007-08-19 07:07:24 · answer #3 · answered by fgrecu 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If, by "pure water," you mean distilled water....don't drink it. Over time you will develop mineral deficiencies that could lead to heart arrhythmias and osteoporosis.
2007-08-19 07:29:10 · answer #4 · answered by ivorytowerboy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Water is essential to all functions in the body. Drinking other things (soda, juice, ect.) doesn't hydrate the body as quickly.
2007-08-19 07:07:17 · answer #5 · answered by Lexy R 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
healthy skin detoxics the body rehydrates you
2007-08-19 06:57:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋