Can Water Be Too Pure for Drinking?

lady drinking glass of pure water and smiling

Yes, water can be too pure for drinking. As strange as it sounds, it’s true. Water that is stripped of its minerals can damage your health in the long run. These minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, are crucial for your health. They contribute to bone strength and overall well-being. Ultra-pure water lacks these essential minerals and drinking it can lead to mineral deficiencies and health problems.


a glass of 100% pure water

Key Takeaways

• Drinking Pure Water can Harm Your Health due to the Lack of Essential Minerals.

• It can lead to Mineral Deficiencies and Potential Health Issues Over Time.

• Striking a Balance between Water Purity and Mineral Content is Key.


Can You Drink 100% Pure Water?

No, drinking 100% pure water is not a good idea. If water is 100% pure, it means it’s missing some important stuff, such as minerals. These minerals, like calcium and magnesium, are super important for keeping you healthy. They help your bones stay strong and contribute to your overall health.

man drinking a glass of water

So, if you drink 100% pure water, you will reduce the amount of important minerals you get. This is not good. It can cause a mineral deficiency and your health will take a hit. Your body needs the minerals that are found in regular drinking water.

Instead, you need to find a balance in your drinking water. You want it clean enough to be safe to drink, but not so pure that it’s missing all the good stuff, like minerals. So, next time you’re thirsty, aim for regular drinking water and give pure water a skip.


The Risks of Drinking Ultra-Pure Water

What are the risks of drinking ultra-pure water? If you drink it regularly over a period of time you may experience any of the risks below.

• Mineral Deficiency

Drinking ultra-pure water can be harmful to your health. Especially if you drink it regularly over time. It can lead to mineral deficiencies in your body. And, these minerals are essential for bone strength and overall well-being.

• Electrolyte Imbalance

It can also have an effect on your electrolyte levels. Electrolytes are minerals that carry electrical charges and play essential roles in various bodily functions. They play a crucial role in the normal running of nerve and muscle function. And, they help you stay hydrated and maintain a healthy pH balance. When you drink ultra-pure water it can dilute electrolyte levels in your body.  This creates an imbalance.

• Corrosive Effect

Additionally, pure water can have a corrosive effect due to its lack of minerals. It has the ability to leach harmful substances from pipes and water containers that are used to transport and store it. Corrosion can lead to the release of heavy metals and other contaminants into the water.


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The Importance of Minerals in Drinking Water

What is the importance of minerals in drinking water? Water minerals play a crucial role in your health and well-being. Their importance cannot be overstated. Essential minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium are key. Here’s why they matter.

woman drinking pure water

Bone Health

First up is bone health. Minerals like calcium and magnesium are essential for maintaining strong and healthy bones. They contribute to your bone density and strength. This reduces the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Especially as we get older.

• Muscle Function

Potassium, magnesium, and sodium are electrolytes that play a key role in muscle contraction and relaxation. They help regulate the nerve impulses that control muscle movement. Without them, your muscles will not function properly and you can suffer cramps and spasms.

Hydration

Electrolytes like sodium and potassium regulate fluid balance in your body. They help ensure you maintain healthy hydration levels. These minerals allow cells to absorb and retain water as they need it. This helps prevent dehydration and maintains healthy cellular activity.

Heart Health

Minerals like potassium and magnesium are essential for maintaining a healthy heart. They help regulate your heart rhythm and blood pressure. They play a key role in the function of the heart muscle and help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Nutrient Absorption

Trace minerals found in drinking water, such as zinc and selenium are key helpers in metabolism and nutrient absorption. They play a role in various enzymatic reactions in your body and contribute to energy production and overall metabolic health.


 

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WATER SOFTENER vs. WATER FILTER – WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

ionized water in a glass

What’s the difference between a water filter and a water softener?  A water softener and a water filter are two very different devices.  A water softener reduces the hardness of water by removing dissolved calcium and magnesium. While a water filter purifies water by removing contaminants such as microbes and heavy metals.


IS A WATER SOFTENER THE SAME AS A WATER FILTER?

lady drinking ionized water

No, a water softener and water filter are two different devices that perform two different roles. A water softener is used to soften hard water – and a water filter is used to purify water by removing contaminants.  So, what’s the Difference Between a Water Softener & a Water Filter?


WHAT IS A WATER SOFTENER?

A water softener is a device that reduces the hardness of water. Water hardness is caused by the presence of dissolved calcium and magnesium in your water source.  A water softener removes these dissolved minerals as the water passes through it and ‘softens’ the hard water.

water ionization

Water becomes hard naturally as it passes through the earth and comes into contact with rocks. As it brushes against the rocks it absorbs calcium and magnesium. It is the accumulation of these materials that makes water hard.

Hard water has no negative impact on your health. Drinking it is not bad for you. In fact, it may be healthier than soft water due to its high mineral content.

However, it causes difficulty around the house – negatively affecting plumbing, kitchen appliances, and even laundry.  This is why many people install a water softening device to reduce the hardness of their water source.


HOW DOES A WATER SOFTENER WORK?

A water softener uses a mechanical process called ‘ion exchange’ to soften hard water. Hard water is funneled through an ion exchange chamber and emerges the other end as softened water.

So, what exactly is an ‘ion exchange’ and how does it work?  An ion exchange is simply a chamber that has been tightly packed with specially designed resin beads that hold an electrical charge.

When hard water flows through the chamber it brushes up against these beads making physical contact. The electrical charge of the beads attracts dissolved calcium and magnesium towards them and then locks them in place.

The water then emerges from the softener with a reduced level of calcium and magnesium. By reducing the level of calcium and magnesium minerals the water is softened.

The process uses sodium to create the electrical charge and remove the dissolved minerals. So, the downside to using a water softener is increased levels of sodium in your water.


WHAT IS A WATER FILTER?

A water filter is a device that improves the purity of water by removing contaminants such as particles, microbes, heavy metals, pesticides, and other chemicals.  Water filters are used to provide clean water for many uses, including – agriculture, commercial industry, and public drinking water.

glass of ionized water sitting on a rock

They can use any combination of four methods to remove contaminants from a water source – sieving, adsorption, ion exchanges, and biofilms.

In the home setting, there are four main types of filters to choose from – mechanical filters, absorption filters, reverse osmosis filters, and sequestration filters.

The most popular type is an absorption filter called an activated carbon filter. Activated carbon filters are great for removing chemical pollutants, microbes, and particulates.

The best water ionizing machines and alkaline water pitchers come with an activated carbon filter installed.  Check out the best ionized water filters of 2024 – click here.


HOW DOES A WATER FILTER WORK?

young family enjoying fresh filtered water

Each of the five domestic water filter types work in a different way.

MECHANICAL FILTERS

Mechanical water filters are the simplest of all. They use a physical barrier to remove sediment and suspended particles. They take the form of a mesh or a ceramic structure that physically blocks objects as the water passes through.

ABSORPTION FILTERS

Absorption filters work differently. They usually use activated carbon – a substance that has an enormous surface area. As water passes through the absorption filter it moves through a maze of contact areas.

Contaminants bind to the carbon and are held in place as the water moves through. Most domestic absorption water filters use granular activated carbon, ‘GAC’. It is an excellent filter choice for removing unpleasant tastes and odors.

REVERSE OSMOSIS FILTERS

Reverse osmosis (RO) filters are used to remove dissolved inorganic solids from a water source. It uses a semipermeable membrane to remove contaminants.

Reverse osmosis is a highly efficient method of filtering water and achieves great results. It is often used in combination with other filter types to achieve the highest level of water purity.

SEQUESTRATION FILTERS

These filters work by chemically isolating a substance. They are not as popular as absorption filters and rarely seen in domestic appliances. They use polyphosphate to sequester calcium and magnesium minerals to reduce limescale and corrosion.

However, they do not reduce the ‘hardness of the water. To reduce water hardness a water softening device should be used.


CHECK OUT:

• BEST ALKALINE WATER MACHINE 2024More Here
• WHAT IS ALKALINE WATERMore Here
• HOW TO TEST WATER HARDNESSMore Here
• IONIZED WATER vs. DEIONIZED WATERMore Here
• WHAT IS TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS?More Here
• COFFEE & ALKALINE WATERMore Here
HOW TO USE A PH TEST STRIPMore Here
• ALKALINE WATER & FILTERED WATERMore Here


Water Softener vs. Water Filter FAQ

frequently asked questions

Which Is Better – A Water Softener Or A Water Filter?

It depends on what you are trying to do. If you have hard water and want to soften it – use a water softener. If you are concerned about the purity of your water source and want to purify it to remove contaminants – use a water filter.

Does a Water Softener Filter Water?

No, a water softener does not filter water. It is used to soften water.  That means it reduces its level of hardness.  To achieve this it removes dissolved calcium and magnesium but it does not filter out harmful contaminants such as microbes, chemicals, or suspended particles.

Does A Water Filter Soften Hard Water?

No, a water filter does not soften hard water. A water filter cleanses water by removing harmful pollutants such as microbes, chemicals, and suspended particles. Water filters are used to create clean safe water for industry, agriculture, and public use.  To soften water you need to use a specialist water softening device.

CHECK OUT:

• HEAVY METALS IN YOUR DRINKING WATERmore here

• TOP UNDER SINK RO WATER FILTERSmore here

• COUNTERTOP REVERSE OSMOSIS WATER FILTERSmore here

• ARE THERE MINERALS IN WATER?more here

BENEFITS & DISADVANTAGES OF REVERSE OSMOSIS WATERmore here

 

 

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