Many drink water straight from their tap, assuming governmental oversight and the Safe Drinking Water Act ensure city tap water is safe. Unfortunately, while the water may be clear and taste normal, it does not mean the water is pure and free of environmental toxins.
U.S. water supplies were first regulated in the Clean Water Act passed in 1972 and amended in 1977 and 1987.
1 The federal law regulates the discharge of pollutants into the nation's surface waters, commonly used in acquiring drinking water. In 1974, the U.S. government passed the Safe Drinking Water Act in an attempt to protect the public drinking water supply and set standards for quality.
2
The regulation sets limits on 90 contaminants, including seven microorganisms.
3 However, not one chemical has been added to the list since 1996.
4 In other words, the list has not kept up with the types of chemicals being used in the U.S. or across the world.
Legally safe only means the water meets standards established in 1996 and does not mean the water supply meets standards for optimal health.
Now, drought-stricken areas across the world are using recycled water to ensure citizens have enough drinking water available. Using 1996 standards, researchers declared recycled water to be safe for consumption, but were curious about the taste of recycled water and how it might impact consumer complaints.
5
Comment: The Mediterranean Diet is mostly hype - a slight reworking of the standard food pyramid. It also bares little resemblance to the diet actually eaten by Mediterranean peoples in the 1950s when it was "discovered" (invented) by nutritional arch-villain Ancel Keyes. It's no surprise that the quality of food consumed has a significant effect on the effectiveness of the diet; more significant than the diet itself. If one cleans up their diet, eats organic and avoids processed foods, they're already halfway there to seeing health benefits, regardless of what the diet is labelled.
See also: