Bottled water is advertised heavily and is often seen in the tote bags of famous celebrities and athletes. As mainstream culture becomes increasingly health conscious, people continually turn to bottled water as convenient and stylish way to stay hydrated while exercising. However, at a dollar or more per gallon, the price of bottled water can really add up over time especially if you are drinking it on a regular basis. Bottled water costs roughly five hundred times per gallon the amount that tap water does, which raises the question: is bottled water really worth the price?

The answer, unfortunately, is less clear cut than the question. Bottled water is vital in some situations, such as when you are hiking in the wilderness or are traveling to an area where the ground water is not safe for consumption. In these kinds of scenarios, bottled water is literally priceless. Likewise, bottled water is an important part of an emergency preparedness kit, and experts across many fields agree that it is a good idea to keep at least a few gallons of bottled water in your home and workplace for safety purposes.

However, the vast majority of bottled water purchased and consumed is for use outside of these situations. Many people choose bottled water for health reasons, believing that it is free from bacteria and other germs that linger in tap water, or that bottled water is processed in such a way that potentially dangerous chemicals can't leak into the supply. However, scientific studies suggest that most bottled water is roughly equivalent to tap water in terms of germs and chemical makeup.

The major health benefit of bottled water is probably not due to the characteristics of the water itself, but simply due to the fact that having access to portable, refreshing bottled water encourages people to hydrate themselves. Few Americans make time to down the recommended eight glasses of water per day, but with the rise of bottled water more people are drinking more water more often, which spells good news for everybody. If bottled water helps you to make hydrating a regular part of your day, the benefits may very well outweigh the financial costs. Staying hydrated is good for your health because it allows your body to easily flush away toxins, and it is good for your appearance. Drinking water helps you build vibrant skin cells; grow stronger, firmer hair; and replenish your muscles; leading to greater overall health. And if bottled water makes hydration an easier part of your lifestyle, then bottled water is worth its weight in gold.