Many people are willing to spend money to buy bottled water as drinking water, while others choose tap water. Which is actually healthier—drinking bottled water or tap water?

Pros and Cons of Drinking Tap Water

Tap water in Indonesia is water that can be drunk, provided that it must be boiled first. Before being distributed to customers, the water is treated with chlorine or chloramine.

Both chlorine and chloramine can remove harmful germs like bacteria and viruses, making the water safe for consumption. The amount of these substances is regulated to ensure safety and prevent health risks.

However, drinking tap water still brings its own pros and cons. The benefits and risks must be considered for overall health.

The benefits of drinking tap water include:

• No need to spend more on drinking water
• Tap water tastes as fresh as bottled water
• The impact on the environment is more friendly because it does not require packaging
• Inexpensive and can be used as much as needed

The risks of drinking tap water include:

• Water quality can vary from region to region. Mountainous areas and coastal areas have different mineral content and water taste.
• Tap water may be contaminated with germs that can cause stomach infections, fertility issues, and nerve problems.
• Infants, children, pregnant women, and the elderly with weak immune systems are particularly at risk of consuming contaminated water.

Pros and Cons of Drinking Bottled Water

Bottled water can come from various spring sources. Similar to tap water, drinking bottled water also has its own pros and cons.

The risks of drinking bottled water include:

• Bottled water must be packaged in plastic bottles, making it less environmentally friendly.
• Bottled water is at risk of microplastic contamination. According to animal studies, microplastics can affect hormone balance, increase inflammation, cause negative health effects, and build up in organs like the liver, kidneys, and intestines.
• Bottled water may taste different.
• Less environmentally friendly than tap water.
• Expensive.

Benefits of drinking bottled water include:

• People with weak immune systems, such as those with HIV, diabetes, recent organ transplants, or undergoing chemotherapy, should drink bottled water, which is more secure from germs.
• Bottled water has different flavors that can sometimes be adjusted to taste.
• Bottled water contains additional minerals that the body needs.
• Bottled water is practical to carry everywhere.

Which is Healthier, Tap Water or Bottled Water?

In general, tap water and bottled water are both healthy and help fulfill the body's fluid needs. However, tap water is still considered the better option as it is just as safe as bottled water. With cheaper prices and lower environmental impact, tap water should be the first choice for your daily drinking needs.

If you have doubts about the safety and quality of the water, you can consider purchasing a water filter so that you can still provide healthy and contamination-free drinking water.

To ensure safety for people with weak immune systems, boil the water thoroughly before consuming it.

If you need medical advice or consultation, you can visit a doctor or use the consultation features available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

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