Beyond “8 Glasses a Day”: Understanding Water Purity, Hydration, Salt Crystals and Structured Water
For decades we have been told to drink eight glasses of water a day as a universal rule for health. It is simple, memorable and easy to repeat — but modern research and practical experience now show that hydration is far more complex than a number on a chart.
Today, conversations around water are evolving. People are asking deeper questions:
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Is my water actually clean?
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Does mineral content matter?
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What role do natural salts play?
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What is structured or “restructured” water?
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Am I hydrating properly, or just drinking volume?
At Sebastian Siebert Supplements, we believe hydration is not about quantity alone. It is about quality, mineral balance, absorption and cellular utilisation. The body does not simply need water — it needs usable water.
Why the “8 Glasses” Rule Falls Short
The idea that everyone should drink the same amount of water daily ignores several critical factors:
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Body weight and composition
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Climate and temperature
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Physical activity levels
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Diet (water-rich foods vs processed foods)
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Mineral status
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Gut health and absorption efficiency
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Toxin exposure and detox demands
Two people drinking the same volume of water can experience completely different hydration outcomes. One may feel energised, while the other may still feel fatigued, bloated or thirsty.
Hydration is not just about how much you drink — it is about how well your body uses what you drink.
Water Purity: Clear Does Not Always Mean Clean
In many regions, including parts of South Africa and around the world, municipal water systems are under pressure. Ageing infrastructure, chemical treatments and environmental pollution have introduced new challenges.
Common concerns include:
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Heavy metals such as lead, aluminium and mercury
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Chlorine and chloramine disinfectants
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Agricultural chemicals and pesticides
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Pharmaceutical residues
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Microplastics
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Bacterial by-products
Boiling water can eliminate pathogens, but it does not remove heavy metals or chemical residues. In some cases, boiling can even concentrate contaminants.
For this reason, water filtration has become increasingly important. However, even purified water introduces another consideration — mineral depletion.
The Mineral Question: Why Pure Water Alone Is Not Enough
Highly purified water systems such as reverse osmosis can remove toxins effectively, but they often strip out beneficial minerals at the same time.
Minerals are essential for:
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Nerve transmission
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Muscle contraction
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Cellular hydration
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Enzyme function
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Energy production
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pH balance
When water lacks minerals, it can become “empty” and less supportive of true hydration. The body does not only require water molecules; it requires electrolytes and trace elements that allow water to enter and function within cells.
This is where natural salt crystals and mineral sources enter the conversation.
Salt Crystals: The Missing Link in Hydration
For many years, salt has been unfairly demonised. While excessive processed table salt is indeed problematic, natural unrefined salt is very different.
High-quality natural salts — such as sea salt or mineral-rich rock salt — contain trace minerals that support hydration rather than hinder it.
Benefits of natural mineral salts include:
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Improved electrolyte balance
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Better water retention at the cellular level
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Support for adrenal function
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Enhanced nerve and muscle communication
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Improved taste and drinking satisfaction
A small pinch of natural salt in water can often reduce the sensation of constant thirst, because the body is finally receiving the minerals it needs to hold and utilise the water effectively.
Hydration without minerals is often incomplete hydration.
Structured or “Restructured” Water: What Does It Mean?
The concept of structured water has gained popularity, sometimes surrounded by confusion or exaggerated claims. At its core, the idea refers to the arrangement of water molecules and how easily they interact with biological tissues.
In nature, water flows through rocks, streams and soil, picking up minerals and energy through movement. Some believe this natural motion influences how water behaves in the body.
While scientific debates continue, practical observations suggest that water which is:
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Mineral-rich
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Naturally filtered
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Stored in glass or stainless steel
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Exposed to natural movement or aeration
often tastes better and may be more satisfying to drink. The key takeaway is not the label “structured,” but rather the principle that living water is mineralised, moving and clean — not stagnant, chemically treated or stored in plastic.
Hydration Is a Cellular Process, Not a Stomach Process
Many people drink large volumes of water yet remain dehydrated. This happens because hydration occurs at the cellular level, not simply in the digestive tract.
For water to hydrate you effectively, it must:
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Be free of harmful toxins
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Contain or be paired with essential minerals
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Be absorbed through a healthy gut
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Enter cells efficiently
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Support detoxification and energy production
If the gut is inflamed, the microbiome is imbalanced or mineral levels are low, water cannot perform its role effectively.
This is why gut health and mineral transport are central to modern hydration strategies.
Supporting Hydration from the Inside Out
At Sebastian Siebert Supplements, we take a realistic and functional approach. Modern environments expose us to toxins that interfere with hydration and mineral balance. Supporting the body internally is no longer optional — it is essential.
FULFIXER Fulvic Acid
Fulvic acid is known for its ability to:
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Bind to heavy metals and toxins
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Support safe detoxification pathways
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Enhance mineral transport into cells
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Support mitochondrial energy production
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Reduce oxidative stress
When water quality is inconsistent or mineral absorption is compromised, fulvic acid helps bridge the gap between intake and utilisation.
FLORISH Spore Probiotic with Fulvic Acid
True hydration also depends on gut integrity. FLORISH supports:
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A balanced microbiome
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Strong gut lining function
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Improved nutrient and mineral absorption
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Immune regulation
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Resilience against environmental stressors
Together, these two supplements help ensure that the water you drink is not merely passing through your body, but actively supporting your health.
Practical Daily Hydration Guidelines
Rather than counting glasses, consider these principles:
1. Drink to Support Function, Not Just Volume
Sip consistently throughout the day rather than consuming large amounts at once.
2. Improve Water Quality
Use filtration where possible and avoid long-term storage in plastic containers.
3. Add Minerals Thoughtfully
A pinch of natural salt or mineral drops can significantly enhance hydration.
4. Eat Your Hydration
Fruits, vegetables and whole foods contain structured water and natural electrolytes.
5. Support Gut and Detox Pathways
Use FLORISH and FULFIXER daily to improve absorption and reduce toxic load.
6. Listen to Your Body
Thirst, urine colour, energy levels and mental clarity are better indicators than arbitrary numbers.
Moving Beyond Outdated Hydration Advice
The “8 glasses a day” rule was a starting point, not a scientific endpoint. Modern understanding recognises that hydration is dynamic, individual and influenced by quality as much as quantity.
True hydration considers:
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Purity
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Minerals
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Gut health
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Cellular uptake
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Detox capacity
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Lifestyle and environment
Water is not merely a beverage; it is a biological medium for life itself.
Final Thought
Hydration is no longer about counting glasses.
It is about drinking intelligently, mineralising wisely and supporting the body that uses the water.
When water purity, mineral balance, gut health and cellular function align, hydration becomes effortless — and wellbeing follows naturally.