BEYOND H2O FAQ
What makes Beyond H2O so special?
Beyond H2O perfectly pure advanced hydrating water is one of the cleanest-known bottled drinking water on the market. In fact, it's hundreds of times cleaner than many of the spring or mineral waters that come from "protected sources." Beyond H2O's 12-step purification process removes impurities and creates a water that is clean, crisp, and provides optimal hydration. Once you experience Beyond H2O, you'll find it difficult to drink any other water.
What does TDS stand for?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) uses Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) as a measure for water purity. Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) are the total amount of mobile charged ions, including minerals, salts or metals dissolved in a given volume of water, expressed in units of mg per unit volume of water (mg/L), also referred to as parts per million (ppm).
What is the TDS count for Beyond H2O?
Clean water allows the body to function more efficiently. The lower the TDS count the cleaner the water. Beyond H2O has an average of 0.5 parts per million of total dissolved solids which is 20 times lower than the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standard of 10 ppm for purified water and 1000 times lower than the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) secondary standard of 500 ppm for drinking water.
What are the health benefits of drinking Beyond H2O?
There are several recent clinical studies conducted that clearly show Beyond H2O hydrates better than any other bottled water and tap water in the marketplace today giving you optimal results.
Who is Beyond H2O for?
Beyond H2O perfectly pure advanced hydrating water is designed for professional athletes and health conscious individuals who want only the very best for their bodies. Just like athletes, isn't it a good idea to consume only the very best so you can perform at your peak performance?
What's your water source?
We start our purification process using municipality city water. At the end of the process, Beyond H2O is the purest bottled water available today. In fact, it's thousands of times cleaner than any spring or mineral water.
How do you get Beyond H2O so clean?
Our rigorous 12-step purification process (9 stages of filtration and 3 stages of bacteria removal) is why Beyond H2O measures only about 0.5 parts per million (ppm) of total dissolved solids (TDS) making it the cleanest known bottled drinking water on the market. At the end of this process we add oxygen, which preserves the clean, crisp taste of Beyond H2O's ultra-purified water.
Can I have Beyond H2O shipped to my home?
Beyond H2O is sold through a network of affiliates. If you're unable to locate an affiliate within reasonable driving distance, or if you simply insist upon the convenience of home delivery, you may purchase Beyond H2O on our website www.beyondyours.com.
Why does Beyond H2O cost so much?
Why do the world's five-star restaurants and resorts, luxurious homes and cars, and finest clothes demand the highest price tags? Generally, you get what you pay for.
With Beyond H2O, you're not only getting the cleanest and most hydrating known bottled water, but one that will allow your body to function at its optimal level.
Even though Beyond H2O is the cleaning and best drinking water, it isn't the most expensive in the marketplace and priced within the premium water category.
What's the best way to store Beyond H2O?
You may refrigerate or store Beyond H2O at room temperature. To maintain the purity of Beyond H2O, we recommend that you refrigerate the water once it is opened, and preferably once you buy it. You should not leave Beyond H2O or any bottled water exposed to direct sunlight.
How safe is the plastic used for Beyond H2O bottles? Is it made with Bisphenol-A?
We use a very high quality polyethylene terephthalate (PET, PETE, PET 1) plastic, one of the best available. In fact, if you squeeze an empty bottle of Beyond H2O compared to an empty bottle of most other brands you will find that there is a noticeable difference. Health is what Beyond H2O is all about, which is one of the reasons we choose to use a very high quality plastic.
On April 18, 2008 Canadian Health Minister Tony Clement announced that Canada intends to ban the import, sale and advertising of polycarbonate baby bottles containing bisphenol A. As a Canadian company, you can be assured, Beyond H2O will never contain bisphenol-A.
What sizes does Beyond H2O come in?
Beyond H2O is only available in 0.5-liter (16.9-oz.) bottles. The 0.5 liter bottles can be purchased in a 12-bottle case.
Does Beyond H2O come in larger sizes, such as a five-gallon jug?
No. One reason is that the plastic used in making most five-gallon plastic water bottles is (PC #7 Polycarbonate), which contains Bisphenol-A.
Why don't you put a sports cap on your bottles?
At the end of our 12-steps purification process we add oxygen to the final product. A sports cap isn't as effective at holding the oxygen in the bottle as our current caps. But you can certainly install your own sports cap after purchasing Beyond H2O.
Will you be making a Beyond H2O home filtration system in the future?
No. The specialized equipment necessary for our 12-step purification process is cost prohibitive to the general public and would not easily fit in most homes. It also takes trained experts in water quality to operate and maintain this equipment.
What is the shelf life of Beyond H2O?
The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacturing. Everything is better when it is fresh, so we recommend drinking it within a couple of weeks of buying it.
If I freeze or boil Beyond H2O, will it change the quality of the water?
No.
Why do you add oxygen to Beyond H2O? Does the oxygen help me?
After Beyond H2O has completed the 12-step purification process, oxygen is added to each bottle before it's capped. This preserves the clean, crisp taste of Beyond H2O's ultra-purified water and also makes the bottles firm to facilitate shipping. There is no health benefit provided by the added oxygen.
Can I heat or cool Beyond H2O to make coffee, tea or another type of drink?
Yes. The quality of Beyond H2O does not change when the water is cooled or warmed. We do recommend that Beyond H2O be consumed at room temperature for maximum benefit. Beyond H2O makes excellent coffees and teas.
What is the pH of Beyond H2O?
Beyond H2O has a manufatured pH parameter between 6.8 and 7.6. However, the average is around 7.0 to 7.4 which is the average body's pH.
"Unique" Beyond H2O questions
How can Beyond H2O be any different? I thought water was just water.
That's what many people say ... until they try Beyond H2O. We suggest you do the same. Ideally, drink it for a week and see what you think. After you've experienced Beyond H2O's super-pure, crisp, smooth taste for a while, you'll likely find it difficult to return to the water you were previously drinking.
Since I've been drinking Beyond H2O, I have to urinate more frequently. Why?
There are probably two reasons for this. First, because Beyond H2O tastes so clean and refreshing, it makes you want to drink more. Secondly, Beyond H2O hydrates you much quicker than ordinary water.
Can I give Beyond H2O to my pets?
Yes! Some veterinarians recommend Beyond H2O to pet owners. In fact, we recommend you give your pet a taste test. Put Beyond H2O in one bowl and tap water or another bottled water in the other bowl, then see which one your pet will drink.
I heard drinking a pure water like Beyond H2O will wash minerals from my body. Is that true?
Demineralized water like reverse osmosis and distilled water are water that have all their minerals removed during the purification process. Studies from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that demineralized water in fact leeches minerals from the body.
With Beyond H2O, during our purification process we remove all minerals, the good and bad, from the water and later re-mineralize it with essential minerals such as sodium bicarbonate, magnesium sulfate, dipotassium phosphate, and calcium chloride that are required by the body. The end result is a perfectly pure and balance water with no impurities while maintaining trace amount of minerals that the body requires for optimal hydration.
Hydration Questions
How much water should I drink daily?
As a baseline, you should try to drink at least half your body weight in ounces a day. For example, if you weigh 180 pounds, you should try to drink 90 oz. of water. You should increase consumption during periods of increased physical activity or other physical stress.
Because the amount of water you need depends on your size, activity level, age and other factors such as diet and stress level, the eight 8-oz. glasses a day is not a good guideline for everyone. For example, a 120-pound female living in a temperature-controlled environment does not require as much water as a 250-pound male doing vigorous physical activity. Remember to drink before you get thirsty. If you wait until you're thirsty, you're already slightly dehydrated.
Why is drinking water so important?
Our bodies are approximately 70% water. Our muscles are about 75% water. Our brain is more than 80% water. Our blood is more than 85% water. Our cells are about 90% water. Approximately 60% of the bodies need for water comes from liquids, about 30% from foods, and the other 10% is produced in the body from the cellular metabolism.
By properly hydrating with good, clean, quality water, you allow your body to function more efficiently. Some of the benefits of proper hydration may include:
Healthy skin and hair
Healthy joints (Research indicates that eight to 10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80 percent of sufferers.)
Stronger immune system
Faster recovery from surgery
Faster recovery from physical activity
Reduced hypertension
Reduced cholesterol
Reduce risk of various types of cancers (According to the Bottled Water Web, drinking five glasses of water daily can decrease the risk of colon cancer by 45 percent, breast cancer by 79 percent, and bladder cancer by 50 percent.)
Can I hydrate with something else besides water?
There are certainly some hydration benefits derived from many foods and drinks – especially from those high in water content such as fruits, soups, and juice drinks.
However, keep in mind that beverages containing alcohol and caffeine will decrease their hydrating ability. Studies show that caffeine and alcohol require water for digestion, thereby decreasing any hydrating benefits of the beverage.
Despite what your non-water diet may be, we still recommend you strive to drink half your body weight in ounces daily. For the most effective hydration, there is no replacement for high-quality, clean, pure water.
How do I know when I'm dehydrated?
Dehydration causes many common health complaints. Research indicates that approximately half of Americans are dehydrated.
Here are some of the signs that may indicate you're dehydrated:
Fatigue and weakness (Lack of water is the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue.)
Headaches
Mental fogginess (A mere 2 percent drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page.)
Decreased visual ability
Rheumatoid joint pain (arthritis)
Rough, dry skin
Dry mucous membranes in nose, mouth, or throat
Nosebleeds (especially in dry interior air during winter)
Dark, concentrated, strong-smelling urine in small quantities
Irritability
Anxiety
Muscle fatigue
Irrational behavior
Constipation
Nausea
Intestinal cramps
Weak, irregular pulse
Low blood pressure
Shallow, rapid breathing
Chronic illnesses
Here are a few other potential consequences of dehydration:
Even if you're only suffering mild dehydration, your metabolism will slow down as much as 3 percent.
Increased chance for asthmatic individuals to suffer an attack.
The decreased blood volume can lead to an increased chance for a heart attack.
May compromise liver function as it causes the liver to be overloaded with toxins.
If you only drink water when you are thirsty, you probably aren't drinking enough. That's because our thirst mechanisms aren't usually a good indicator of when we need water. When you become thirsty, chances are you're already dehydrated.
Who's at the greatest risk for dehydration?
Well, we're all at risk for dehydration if we don't drink enough water, but children and seniors seem to be at the highest risk. Many kids don't drink water. Instead, kids drink lots of sugar drinks (juice with high fructose corn syrup added) and sodas. Newsday reports that more than 186,000 children are hospitalized for dehydration in the U.S. every year.
Seniors very often don't drink any water. They prefer tea or other drinks. These beverages are solutes, containing materials or other dissolved solids. Water containing a large amount of dissolved solids does not have as high a driving force to exchange cellular fluids, which is an impediment to hydration. Diuretics such as caffeine and alcohol may have a net dehydrating effect by altering the body's fluid balance mechanism to discharge fluids. The phosphates in sodas also rob the body of oxygen. With seniors, the risk of dehydration can be more acute.
Women are at greater risk for dehydration than men because they have less muscle mass and lower body water content than men.
Are electrolytes important for hydration?
Hydration is by its very name is the replacement of water lost from the blood plasma volume and/or the cells. That is accomplished with water. Electrolyte replacement is not hydration; by its very name it is replacement of electrolytes. Both are important, and timing of the intake of both is also very important. During a short race electrolyte replacement and carbohydrate replacement would only slow you down. During a long, four-hour or high-endurance exercise you may require some electrolyte replacement.
So the answer is both water and electrolytes are necessary, but for best results in performance, plain water with trace minerals is best after a short to middle length race. But electrolyte and carbohydrate replacement are important midway through an Iron man competition.
The more "stuff" you put in water, the slower it's absorbed into the cells, and the slower it's emptied from your stomach. A Gatorade study supports this. That's why the sports drink manufacturers made a sports drink that has a much lower dose of carbohydrates and electrolytes. They know the regular sports drink would slow you down in a short race. For quick hydration, nothing beats clean, pure water like Beyond H2O.
Questions About Having Other Things In Water
Isn't it important to have minerals in water?
Yes and No. Pure water provides your body the most effective hydration. However if one drinks water without trace minerals (like demineralized water), minerals are leeched from the body. On the other hand, many mistakenly believe drinking spring or mineral water provides a good source of minerals. According to the American Medical Journal, "The minerals which the human body needs that are in the water are insignificant to those in food ... and anyone simply eating a varied diet, not even a balanced diet, could hardly suffer a mineral deficiency."
The main reason minerals in water are insignificant is because they are in an inorganic state, whereas minerals in food are in an organic (or bio-available) state. "The only minerals that the body can utilize are the organic minerals," said Dr. Charles Mayo of the world-renowned Mayo Clinic. "All other types of minerals are foreign substances to the body and must be eliminated."
The ideal drinking water is low on TDS but has trace amounts of minerals so that when the water enters the body, minerals aren't leeched. Too much minerals in the water isn't good either becaus your body uses lots of energy trying to excrete the minerals out of your system. That's why we say the only thing that belongs in your water is water. Not surprisingly, we're hearing more and more spring bottled water drinkers switching to Beyond H2O, once they discover the cleaner taste and higher purity.
Aren't there benefits to drinking water with electrolytes?
Beyond H2O is remineralized with trace minerals (electrolytes) which help the body to reach its optimal hydration. The important thing to remember regarding electrolytes is keeping them in balance. Essentially, only during extreme cases will you need to be concerned about your electrolytes getting out of balance, such as during a grueling Ironman competition. The average person engaging in physical activity typically never has to be concerned with electrolyte replacement. Hydrating with clean, pure water like Beyond H2O is all that's needed.
Can water be a good source for calcium?
No. Water is an extremely poor source of calcium. Get your calcium – and the rest of your minerals – from food. Spinach, turnip greens, mustard greens, and collard greens are excellent sources of calcium. Dairy foods are also an excellent calcium source.
Beyond H2O's focus is effective hydration. The purer the water, the better the hydration. Anything added besides the required minerals to water will slow down the hydration process.
What's wrong with having fluoride in water?
There are definitely two sides to this debate, and first and foremost we urge you to be an informed consumer and research this issue.
Again, we are most concerned with effective hydration. The cleaner the water, the better the hydration. Anything added besides the required minerals to water will slow down the hydration process. That being said, we believe fluoride is best used topically (such as with toothpaste), and not ingested. It's interesting to note that fluoride toothpaste product usage instructions stress not to swallow the product.
Health-Related Questions
What role does water play in weight loss?
Pure water is a crucial component to any weight loss plan. It has zero carbs, zero fat, and zero calories, and it certainly isn't going to make you put on any unwanted weight. Plus, drinking water can help appease hunger pangs that are actually being caused by thirst.
Is there any advantage to taking my supplements with Beyond H2O?
Yes, by taking your supplements with Beyond H2O you enable your body to maximize the health benefits from proper hydration and nutritional supplements.
General Bottled Water Questions
What's the difference between the various kinds of bottled water, such as spring, mineral, purified, artesian, and others?
In one word, purity. The source of the water and how the water is – or isn't – cleaned are the main determining factors in a water's total dissolved solids level (i.e., purity level) and its taste.
The FDA has established a bottled water Standard of Identity to define the several different types of bottled water based on specific characteristics of the product. Bottled water products meeting the Standard of Identity may be labeled as bottled water or drinking water, or one or more of the following terms:
Artesian Water/Artesian Well Water – Bottled water from a well that taps a confined aquifer (a water-bearing underground layer of rock or sand) in which the water level stands at some height above the top of the aquifer.
Mineral Water – Bottled water containing not less than 250 parts per million total dissolved solids may be labeled as mineral water. Mineral water is distinguished from other types of bottled water by its constant level and relative proportions of mineral and trace elements at the point of emergence from the source. No minerals can be added to this product. A bacterium that causes severe diarrhea in developing countries can survive in bottled mineral and spring water, according to a published study.
Purified Water – Water that has been produced by distillation, deionization, reverse osmosis or other suitable processes while meeting the definition of purified water in the United States. Other suitable product names for bottled water treated by one of the above processes may include "distilled water" if it is produced by distillation, "deionized water" if it is produced by deionization or "reverse osmosis water" if the process used is reverse osmosis. Alternatively, the term "drinking water" can be used preceded by any one of the terms defined in this paragraph (e.g., "purified drinking water" or "distilled drinking water"). This is the category that Beyond H2O falls under (although Beyond H2O has created its own sub-category within this category: "ultra-purified water").
Sparkling Bottled Water – Water that after treatment, and possible replacement with carbon dioxide, contains the same amount of carbon dioxide that it had as it emerged from the source. Sparkling bottled waters may be labeled as "sparkling drinking water," "sparkling mineral water," "sparkling spring water," etc.
Spring Water – Bottled water derived from an underground formation from which water flows naturally to the surface of the earth. Spring water must be collected only at the spring or through a borehole tapping the underground formation feeding the spring. Spring water collected with the use of an external force must be from the same underground stratum as the spring and must have all the physical properties before treatment, and be of the same composition and quality as the water that flows naturally to the surface of the earth. A bacterium that causes severe diarrhea in developing countries can survive in bottled spring water, as well as mineral water, according to a recently published study.
Well Water - Bottled water from a hole bored, drilled or otherwise constructed in the ground, which taps the water aquifer.
Why is bottled water so popular?
Consumers reportedly choose bottled water for its taste and purity. (That being the case, then we expect everyone to be drinking Beyond H2O once they find out it's the world's cleanest, best-tasting bottled water.)
Bottled water is now the second most consumed beverage in the United States because it ensures consistent safety, quality and good taste from the water source to finished product. It also offers convenience due to its portability.
Is bottled water regulated?
Yes. The bottled water industry is regulated on three levels: federal, state, and trade association. In addition, products imported from the European Union must meet all U.S. regulations, and standards established by the European Union. FDA regulations, coupled with state and industry standards, offer consumers assurance that the bottled water they purchase is stringently regulated, tested, and of the highest quality.
In Canada, pre-packaged water (bottled water) is considered to be a food and is regulated under Division 12 of the Food and Drug Regulations.
The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) has been a long-standing proponent of additional federal regulations for bottled water and is active at all levels of local, state and federal government assisting in the development of such regulations.
Federal Regulations
The FDA regulates bottled water as a food product. Bottled water companies must adhere to the FDA's Quality Standards, Standards of Identity (labeling regulations) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
Quality Standards ensure the safety of all bottled water products from production to packaging to consumption. The FDA's labeling rules for bottled water establish standards of identity and standardized definitions for terms found on bottled water labels, such as artesian, drinking, mineral, purified, sparkling, and spring.
Bottled water is subject to GMPs, including those applicable to foods generally, and GMPs specific to water processing and bottling. General foods GMPs govern such areas as plant and ground maintenance, sanitary maintenance of buildings and fixtures, and sanitary facilities, including water supply, plumbing and sewage disposal. Bottled water GMPs provide detailed regulations governing plant construction and design, sanitary facilities, and operations, equipment design and construction, production and process controls specific to production and processing of bottled drinking water.
State Regulations
In addition to FDA's extensive regulatory requirements, the bottled water industry is subject to state regulatory requirements as well. A significant responsibility of the state is inspecting, sampling, analyzing and approving sources of water. Under the federal GMPs, only approved sources of water can be used to supply a bottling plant.
Another area in which some states have important responsibilities that complement federal regulation is the certification of testing laboratories. As with any food establishment, the state performs unannounced plant inspections, and some states perform annual inspections.
IBWA Standards
In addition to the state and federal regulations for bottled water, IBWA bottler member are subject to another level of oversight. As a condition of membership, bottlers must submit to an annual, unannounced plant inspection administered by an independent, internationally recognized third-party inspection organization. This inspection audits quality and testing records; reviews all areas of plant operation from sources through finished product; and checks compliance with FDA Quality Standards, GMPs, and any state regulations. IBWA has established a quality assurance program, called the Model Code, which are a strict set of standards. This code establishes tougher requirements than federal and state authorities.
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