Is It Best to Drink Tap, Filtered, or Bottled Water?

Given the disinfection byproducts in tap water, Brita, PUR, Zerowater, and refrigerator water filters are put to the test.

Thanks for watching. I hope you’ll join in the evidence-based nutrition revolution!
-Michael Greger, MD FACLM

Captions for this video are available in several languages. To find yours, click on the settings wheel on the lower-right of the video and then "Subtitles/CC."
To view the subtitles in transcript format, click on the ellipsis button below the video, choose "Open transcript", and select the language you'd like to view them in.

[furiousdoe]

Thanks for the toothbrush vinegar/water clean tip.

[SubjectE]

This is why I put the lid down before I flush.

[megangreen]

The thing I love about Dr. Greger is that he's not afraid to admit when he's wrong

[Toxicflu]

Wait... Where is the part about bottled water...

[anthrogal]

The Zero Water pitcher does remove lead (unlike the other pitcher systems) but is notorious for getting bacteria built up in it resulting in a fishy smell (look up the reviews online). It's horrible. Tap filters like Pur can remove lead (they're used in Flint today) and don't have this fishy issue, but you do need to swap them out regularly and don't ever run warm water through them.

[alexandravictoria]

In summary of this video am I correct in saying that filtered water is the best for you if you ensure that you replace your filters regularly?

[MYfriendsknow]

There is a problem with very old pipes leaching metals and rust into tap water in many cities and states. Don't drink tap unless that is all you have OR better yet put it through a filter. I disinfect my brush after each use. I have done this for me and my son for several years.

[chrisogrady]

I only drink home distilled, zero plastic contact, about 4 litres a day.
Distilled is unbelievably palatable, I can drink a whole litre first thing in the morning at once with no sick feeling. If I try that with bottled or tap water it’s impossible to resist the gag.
Mineral loss is irrelevant, it’s tiny compared to the minerals you should be getting from your food, and a lower total dissolved solids (0-1 ppm in distilled, 300+ ppm in bottled and tap) makes the water better able to accept waste products from the rest of your body and transport it out through the urine.

[MixedMartialHelp]

OK this was extremely helpful, especially the tip about your toothbrush being coated after flushing the toilet! As of today I'm storing my toothbrushes elsewhere and disinfecting with vinegar!

[SpiritualNotReligious]

Been using Berkey filter for years now. Superior to the mainstream brands.

[Brockdorf]

I missed the answer, what is best, tap, filtered or bottled?

[Mazza]

What about distilled water? Health risk/benefits compared to the tap, filtered and bottled water. I would say tap water is different in other countries too

[scottyg]

I've been very happy with the Zero water filter. It has a device to let you know when it's time to change the filter. Tastes great!

[stevet]

I do what Zimmy does: put the toilet lid down before flushing. Rather than getting a new toothbrush every 3 months, I soak all the family brushes in hydrogen peroxide (3% available everywhere) each month. As always, appreciate the video Dr. Greger!

[rodibremo]

What about using a water distiller...?

[movementcontact]

Vinegar seems the true forgotten super-chemical that seems to boring and obvious to be praised... :3

[nealwailing]

In the UK (Thames Valley) the water is treated with acrylamide...

[onlytrueanonymousfanszzzzzz]

I prefer clean filter water over tap water and I don't agree with fluoride sorry.

[BethGrantDeRoos]

Why didn't they test a Berekey water filter set up? And what about bottled water from natural springs? We avoid plastic bottles etc, but a lot of people buy bottled spring water which is not filtered. As for tap water NYC has good tap water and our well water here in the California Sierra is awesome.

[lainiefriedman]

Thanks, Dr. Greger. What about bottled water, like Mountain Valley Spring Water from Arkansas?