This may be a topic you’ve never considered, but it is true—bottled water is much healthier than tap. Unless you have a home water filter system that produces healthy, clean drinking water, healthy bottled water can’t be beat. Between Pure Life purified water brands and the best fresh Deer Park brand waters, there is a wide variety of options. There are pros and cons to both, of course, but it depends on what your values are—bottled water isn’t cheap, but it’s convenient and healthier, alternatively, tap water is much more environmentally friendly. Before you knock bottled water out as an option, consider these 6 reasons why bottled water is so much healthier than tap water:

1. Bottled water ensures your safety

Tap water absorbs bad nutrients and toxins, throughout history many individuals have gotten sick from drinking tap water. In some cases, if serious toxins are in the water, they can cause significant health issues and even be life-threatening. As such, bottled water is a much safer and healthier option as it is nearly impossible for it to absorb these toxins after the purifying process. This is especially important for vulnerable populations, like immunocompromised people, pregnant women, and young children.

2. Bottled water is purified

Since tap water is drawn from reservoirs, measures need to be taken in order to kill the bacteria and other microorganisms, so chlorine is added—too much chlorine consumed is bad for your health, and oftentimes a lot of chlorine is left behind in the water. Alternatively, bottled water companies use other treatments to remove bacteria and provide the highest level of purity.

3. Bottled water lasts longer 

Bottled water lasts much longer, so it’s a great item to stock up on in case of natural disasters or other issues that can leave you without clean, fresh water. As long as you keep your bottled water out of sunlight and outside the range of any toxic chemicals, your water will stay good for consumption. Contrastingly, tap water can’t be stored for more than 6 months as the chlorine in the water can dissipate to the point that bacteria and algae can grow.

4. Bottled water companies do a great degree of testing

Many bottled water producers and companies perform a great degree of testing on their products. They test their products and follow strict quality control measures and regulations to ensure consistent quality and purity in their water.

5. Bottled water undergoes mineral enrichment

Bottled water companies often produce water with essential minerals that are beneficial to our health, such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium that are found in natural mineral water. These minerals contribute to nutritional intake, promote bone health, muscle function, and electrolyte balance. Tap water does contain some minerals, but it is not consistent and the levels can vary.

6. Bottled water has enhanced taste and preferences

Some individuals find that tap water has an unappealing taste due to the contents of chlorine and other chemical additives used to kill bacteria. Thanks to bottled water companies measures to treat, filter, and purify their water, it results in a cleaner and fresher taste. A better taste promotes more intake of water and results in better overall hydration, health, and well-being.