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Is hard water harmful to our health?
What is water hardness? Is hard water harmful to our health? What are its benefits?
You have probably heard of terms such as hard water, also known as calcareous water or soft water, although we often do not know why we use this term. We are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of water and good hydration for our health which is why in this article we will answer your questions about the hardness of water.
Does hard water have a ‘bad reputation’? How much truth or myth is there to it?
Read on to find out more!
What is hard water or water hardness?
When we talk about water hardness, we are referring to the density of minerals such as calcium and magnesium in a given amount of water. This is related to the geological nature of the soil.
It is important to know that tap water, before reaching our homes, passes through different geological formations that will determine the concentration of calcium and magnesium salts in the water. The more limestone deposits the water has, the harder it will be. On the other hand, if it contains silicates, such as granite, the presence of calcium and magnesium will be much lower. Hardness also has to do with the taste of the water, because if it has a higher concentration of minerals, its taste will be somewhat stronger.
This shows that the definition of water we were taught at school, "water is a colourless, odourless, tasteless liquid", is far from the truth. Water sommelier Faustino Muñóz Soria, in an Alimente note, states that: "The origin of water influences its personality in the same way as it does with wine. Each water acquires a series of minerals on its journey that make it unique".
The function of mineral salts is essential for optimal health. They are responsible for the formation of the tissues of the human body, and also control the organic functions of the body.
So, is hard water harmful to our health?
The answer is no. We tend to believe that bottled mineral water is safer than tap water, but the truth is that hard water is not harmful to our health. In fact, both our bodies and the environment benefit from its consumption. On the one hand, we stop consuming single-use plastic and we take advantage of minerals such as calcium and magnesium. On the other hand, these minerals may damage the useful life of household appliances, as they contribute to the accumulation of deposits, reducing their efficiency, but hey! We said appliances, not human beings.
Limescale in water
We often receive questions related to the whitish deposits that can sometimes remain in the jugs from people who live in hard water areas such as Barcelona, the Balearic Islands or Jaén. There is a lack of knowledge on the subject, since there is a false belief that limescale is harmful to our health. It is true that hard water may have a stronger taste depending on the area and the amount of minerals it contains, but this does not mean that it is going to harm us.
In addition, many conventional water jug filters have gel beads, like the ones in the image below. These beads are a chemical product called ion exchange resin, which exchanges calcium and magnesium ions for sodium ions, thus removing the ‘limescale’. This leaves water with little oxygen and an acid pH, in addition to the multitude of problems that can be caused by excessive sodium ingestion.
The benefits of calcium
Calcium is an important mineral for the body to function properly. It helps protect bones and teeth, and having balanced calcium levels can help prevent osteoporosis. The heart, muscles and nerves also need calcium to function properly.
The relationship between hard water and low blood pressure
The study Drinking Water Salinity, Urinary Macro‐Mineral Excretions, and Blood Pressure in the Southwest Coastal Population of Bangladesh published in the Journal of the American Heart Association has linked drinking water containing a high concentration of mineral salts, i.e. hard water, to low blood pressure.
The study was conducted in a coastal region of Bangladesh where drinking water sources can vary in salinity due to the influx of seawater. It compared the blood pressure levels of people who drank saline water with those who drank pure water.
Considering that saline water contains the most sodium particles, a mineral known to raise blood pressure, the study curiously found that participants who drank saline water had lower blood pressure due to its calcium and magnesium content. Dr Abu Mohammed Naser, who conducted the research, explains that "calcium and magnesium are protective and lower blood pressure" and that the benefits of these mineral salts outweigh the harm of sodium. Naser also comments that these minerals in water are more easily absorbed by the body than even food, because "chemicals in food can interfere with absorption".
This is why a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet are so important. Hypertension is the leading preventable cause of death worldwide, and it increases the risk of heart attacks and other related problems.
More Information
If you would like more information on this subject, please take a look at the study carried out by Dr. Félix Millán Rodríguez of the Puigvert Foundation in Barcelona. Here we have analysed Spanish bottled and tap water and the implications of its consumption on urinary lithiasis. You can see it by clicking here.
Or you can read these two posts where we give more information:
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(*) WARNING
This information is based on available scientific information. These statements have not been evaluated by EFSA. Our water is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Alkanatur recommends a balanced and varied diet.