Another essential factor of an alternative lifestyle is to be aware of the type of water and products we consume in our every day lives

Water is the major constituent of a living organism. For example, a tree is about 60 per cent water in weight and a human about 90 per cent water. We must know where our daily intake of water is sourced. We shall try to identify the truth about bottled water and why distilled water is scientifically the most recommended. It is a fact that some types of bottled water are twice as expensive as petrol, three times the price of milk, and 10,000 times more expensive than tap water. Is it worth it, and what impact is it having on our environment? Is bottled water really healthier than tap water? These are a few of the questions we will address here, in Part III of these series of articles.

In 1997, a FAO study on Human Nutrition in the Developing World declared: “The claims that bottled ‘spring’ or ‘natural’ water contains near-magical qualities and great nutritive value are false.” They admitted that bottled water may contain small amounts of minerals such as calcium, magnesium and fluoride, but pointed out that tap water from many municipal supplies does too. Packaging is another paradox, because it helps us to conserve our vital resources and yet, it consumes resources. Today our efforts are turning towards packaging recovery and re-use.

To understand the truth about this matter one must know a little about mineral chemistry in living systems. In order for a mineral to be of any use to the body it must be presented in a form in which it can be used. That form involves an association with an organic (carbon based) molecule. Carbon based molecules are found in living systems and not in the ground, which is where mineral water comes from. Water from the ground comes with minerals all right, but these minerals are in salt form. When salt is presented to the body it must be either stored or excreted, although there are rare exceptions such as sodium chloride. A good example is calcium carbonate. Carbonate is not a sufficiently complex organic molecule and therefore cannot properly contribute its calcium to living systems. The calcium comes out with a positive charge and precipitates by forming other salts. Common locations for precipitation of calcium are the lens of the eye (cataracts), the kidneys (kidney stones) and the walls of arteries. Unbound minerals must be excreted, which is extra work for the kidneys, or stored.

Now, the argument that distilled water leaches out minerals is true, and this is exactly what we want it to do. The minerals it leaches out are of the unusable, ionic form and we want these to leave the body rather than be deposited and cause disease. Distilled water does not leach out significant amounts of biologically available minerals, because they are absorbed by the body as needed. If they are present in excess they are filtered through the kidneys and this is exactly what needs to happen with all things, which are in excess in the circulation. Distilled water cleanses the body by promoting healthy kidney function.

The purpose of water is to cleanse the body and for it to do the best job it must be free of everything else, and only distilled water fits that bill.

As for carbon filtered and reverse osmosis water, these are better solutions than tap water or mineral water, but they still fall far short of the standard set by distilled water. Nature knows best and nature supplies distilled water in the form of rain. However, rainwater is no longer pure due to atmospheric pollution. The only remaining option is for us to distil our own water.

Bottled water, tap water, reverse-osmosis filtered water, and carbon-block filtered water, when tested, will conduct electricity, substantiating that these are not the best carriers for mineral-transport and mineral-absorption. Inorganic minerals and other substances like chlorine, heavy metals, and bacteria are removed from tap water, by converting it into pure distilled water, the result is improved absorption of all nutrients, including minerals, and improved elimination of wastes at cellular level.

Bottled water vs tap water

Many people think that bottled water is much purer and much healthier than tap water. In fact, bottled water often contains higher levels of bacteria than normal tap water. Also, the levels of minerals in many of the “mineral waters” are no higher than those of tap water. Spring and table waters can legally come from any source, ranging from natural springs to municipal water main taps. They are generally filtered for sediment and other contaminants, and perhaps carbonated and/or have flavour enhancement. The level of nitrates in bottled water is not necessarily lower than normal tap water. There appears to be no legal limit of nitrate levels in natural mineral water, while there is a limit of 50mgs per litre in tap water. Bottled waters and certain soda waters are often high in sodium, which in the long term can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular problems.

Imported bottled water generally only has to meet the standards of the country of their origin. It is sensible to choose bottled water over tap water when travelling in countries where the tap water may be contaminated, or when there is a risk of water borne diseases. However, in most cases, there is no real health reason to drink bottled water in preference to normal tap water. Particularly when the cost to the consumer for some types of bottled water is typically higher than the cost of petrol for your car!

The truth about Fair Trade

What is it and why should we opt to support it?

Fair Trade in Europe started as a grassroots movement about 40 years ago. The aim was to alleviate poverty in the “South” – Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean – by building direct, sustainable relationships with disadvantaged producers and providing fair access to markets in the “North”. The aims are the same now, but Fair Trade has developed into a powerful force, symbolised by a high level of European co-operation.

The definition of Fair Trade is a trading partnership based on dialogue, transparency and respect which seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalised producers and workers – especially in the South.

Fair Trade organisations, backed by consumers, are actively engaged in supporting producers, raising awareness and campaigning for changes in the rules and practices of conventional international trade.

All involved in Fair Trade accept that it has to include:

• paying fair prices to producers which reflect the true cost of production. World market prices often do not cover even the costs of the raw materials

• supporting producer organisations in their social and environmental projects, such as developing health facilities and tree planting

• promoting gender equality in pay and working conditions to change the traditional low position of women in society

• advising on product development to increase access to markets

• committing to long-term relationships to provide stability and security, and campaigning to highlight the unequal system of world trade which places profit above human rights and threatens our environment.

What’s wrong with the ‘normal’ world market trade?

From every lira you spend on a jar of coffee, the exploited farmer in the developing world gets 8c. The big multinationals pocket the rest, making millions at the expense of the hard-working producer. With this kind of trade, the rich countries get richer, and the poor who do all the backbreaking work to support their families remain poor. Coffee is just one of the tonnes of products that are traded in this absurd way: other foodstuffs, paper products, gifts, machinery and furniture are some of the others. It’s all very nice to talk about injustice in world trade, but it’s not enough. Some immediate action is urgently needed.

What’s right about Fair Trade?

For more than 700 years, artisans in Thailand have been using the bark of the mulberry tree to make paper products. In a country where forests are dwindling, using this tree bark is a sustainable way to use the forest without harming it. Grassroots HQ, an alternative trade organisation employing 150 people, is committed to making a difference in their local community. Grassroots HQ provides village women with a viable income, raises awareness of their rights, increases their confidence and self-respect and encourages them to unite as a cooperative and to stand up against exploitation, particularly by the sex industry.

Malta has its own Fair Trade representatives. For Koperattiva Kummerc Gust trading fairly means:

• Having workers in Third World countries earn a fair wage for their work

• Having workers earn enough money to access basic health and education services

• Providing pre-sale payment which allows producers to invest in production without depending on unfair credit systems

• Ensuring environmental-friendly production

• Producing foodstuffs which are free from pesticides and GMOs

• Creating equal opportunities for men and women

• Establishing long-term trading relationships that encourage stability and serious planning

• Fighting child-labour

• Ensuring a democratic system of production that allows workers to join trade unions

• Guaranteeing an appropriate and transparent expenditure of funds in social, economical and educational programs run by the workers themselves.

Fair trade products currently on display at The Gaia Foundation include Cafédirect medium roast instant coffee from Costa Rica and Cafédirect 100 per cent organic decaffeinated coffee from Peru’, ground coffee from Africa and Central America, a selection of teas from Kenya and Sri Lanka and 60 per cent fruit-content mango jam from Kenya, as well as delicious chocolate and sugar.

Such natural and fair trade products will be available for sale during GAIAFEST 2005. If you would like to find out more about eco-friendly, natural and fair trade products, and possibly purchase some for yourself, your family or your business, you are welcome to join us at The Gaia Foundation’s first annual Festival of Holistic Living which is being held over the long weekend between 3 and 7 June, where the entrance fee is only 75c.

GAIAFEST 2005 is being held at The Elysium Visitor Centre in Ghajn Tuffieha.

Gates open at 6pm

For multiple entry contact The Gaia Foundation on 2158 4474 Fax: 2158 4473, e-mail: [email protected] Website: www.projectgaia.org