Fountain of Youth: Drink Filtered Water for Beauty

We've all heard about the benefits of drinking water: eight glasses a day leads to unblemished, smooth skin, plus you will flush out toxins and lubricate your joints. So what's the best way to get your daily water intake? Coffee, sodas, and juice contain acids and sugars that can throw off your body's balance and stress your kidneys. Your best bet is to go straight to the source—pure, clear water, that is. But most tap water is pumped with industrial chemicals to kill bacteria and pathogens, and bottled water isn't necessarily any better. A recent study by the Environmental Working Group found that 45 percent of the water sold in single-serving bottles comes from a municipal source. Labels reading "purified" water likely indicate a municipal source, while "spring," "mineral," and "artesian well" sources must be verified in order to be used. However, bottled water is expensive, so a more affordable choice is to filter your tap water. For example, a Brita filter will remove lead, asbestos, toluene and benzene, among a host of other impurities and chemicals. Not to mention, filtering your water makes it taste better, although adding a slice of fruit doesn't hurt either.