No doubt, a high fluid intake is critical to the body’s normal functions. But what kind of fluids? In industrialised countries, the local population is increasingly cautious of drinking tap water due to the looming danger of polluted water supply. Hundreds of contaminants are found in polluted water supply, including metal residues like mercury. Unfortunately, many such chemicals are carcinogens. As an alternative, people resort to soft drinks or boxed fruit juices; considering it to be a safer and healthier option. Soda may quench the thirst and satisfy the taste buds while spiking the energy instantly. The soda companies mesmerised the population with the swish sound of the bottle opening. Instantly, the brain is trained to associate happy signals with it, and it becomes impossible to say no. For a long time, their secret ingredients were guarded until reports regarding the injurious effects on the body became public. The Coca-Cola company refuted that its product could dissolve a tooth overnight yet it never denied chemicals in conjunction with sugar can have a decaying effect on tooth enamel. Still, we find the product over-flowing in school canteens. Most sodas interfere with calcium absorption in the bones and increase brittleness at a furiously fast pace. Ironically, we have calcium awareness advertisements running parallel to the ones promoting sodas. Additionally, the high sugar content tricks our liver to convert the sugar into fat. But when people think of weight loss, they are focusing on cutting back on fat and sugar. Often soft drinks or boxed fruit juices are overlooked. Cola has about nine teaspoons of sugar in one can. Over time, excess sugar intake can lead to type II diabetes. We have calcium awareness advertisements running parallel to the ones promoting sodas Boxed fruit juices are no exception. They, too, are an unhealthy choice of drink. Firstly, they are devoid of the necessary fibre. Secondly, there is nothing natural about the mark of “100 per cent pure.” A boxed carton will usually state that they are “natural identical and artificial flavouring substances.” In other words, these are chemicals. These chemicals maintain the signature flavour of the product, which is hardly nature’s way. Thirdly, much of the nutrition is lost during processing of the actual juice. Believe it or not; the juice is cooked and stripped off essential vitamin C. Many of us like to kick start the day with a glass of orange juice, but a boxed one is without the sunny goodness. Alissa Hamilton, the author of “Squeezed: What You Don’t Know About Orange Juice,” called it the great big corporate sham and “engineered product.” Hamilton scanned industrialisation, which disregarded the green movement towards local and organic foods. Her mission is only one, “We deserve to know.” As far as your beverage intake goes, the daily recommendation of eight glasses of water or tea combined per day is doable. Tea or coffee do contain chemicals but unlike sodas and boxed juices, they offer metabolism-boosting benefits and are completely natural. But yes, sleep is also affected by excess quantity. So, decaf options were made readily available on the retail shelves by the companies and many thought of this as a healthier option. The process of extracting the caffeine from the coffee beans requires a solvent, which is just another term for a chemical. The beans are soaked into the solvent until caffeine departs. Conscientious coffee brands opted for the solvent-free coffee process. The smarter and healthier choice is to ask for “solvent-free” and not just decaf. Nothing hydrates better than water. Paying the extra price tag for water is only unethical and not a matter of better quality. We need firm legislation for disclosure on ingredients for beverages. The secret ingredients should not be such a secret that harmful chemicals be used without the knowledge of consumers. Water is fundamental to our existence and trust is the key to loyal consumers. The writer is a wellness and yoga expert