Virtuoso Life - November/December 2007 - (Page 175) WELL TRAVELED Water, Water, Everywhere Tap or capped? When it comes to health, it boils down to which one’s close at hand. By Margaret Loftus W Envision/ Corbis e keep one within reach at our desks, tuck them into our kids’ lunch boxes, guzzle a couple post-workout, and wouldn’t think of leaving the house without at least a 16-ouncer. Bottled water has become entrenched in our life, a healthy soda alternative, a status symbol – even the foodies are getting in on it. As Michael Mascha, publisher of FineWaters.com, the “voice for bottled water connoisseurs,” points out: “People are starting to care about where their water comes from. Sea salt, chocolate, and olive oil have all gone through that transition. Bottled water is the next wine.” Evian first introduced water in sleek plastic bottles (and has recently rolled out elegant glass ones to compete with Voss and others) to the United States in 1984. Fitness-conscious Americans – thirsty for a healthy alternative to coffee, alcohol, and soda – have been lapping it up ever since. Over the past 20 years, consumption of single-serving bottled water grew a thousandfold. Last year, we spent some $11 billion on mineral, spring, artesian well, sparkling, and glorified tap waters from farflung locales; water fortified with oxygen, vitamins, and electrolytes; pomegranateblackberry and kiwi-strawberry-flavored taster’s choice: from your body’s standpoint, the best bottle is the one most pleasing to your palate. NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2007 175
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