Is Hard Water Bad for You?

Hard and soft water have been widely known to everyone, although most people are not always familiar with the difference. Hard water is water containing a considerable volume of dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium. The concentration of these minerals is what determines if water can be considered hard or soft and raises the question if the levels of these minerals are dangerous. Today, we will be giving our analysis if hard water is bad for you and how to mitigate it. 

Why are there minerals in water?

The reason we see hard water in various parts of the country is due to water being an excellent solvent that picks up impurities and minerals. It is believed that dissolved calcium and magnesium are the two most prominent minerals that produce hard water. If the source of the water is made up of limestone, then the water will be significantly harder.

Soft water contains low quantities of ion and consequently, significantly less calcium and magnesium. This type of water will typically have higher levels of sodium and reek less havoc on appliances such as kettles.

Is hard water harmful?

According to WHO, there is no known serious adverse effect of hard water. “In addition, hard water, particularly very hard water, could provide an important supplementary contribution to total calcium and magnesium intake.” (US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, 2013). However, when calcium and magnesium are abundant, it is common to see the effects of the hard water in appliances and taps. Research suggests that there is little evidence indicating that hard water contributes to health conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and kidney production, yet when consumed in a considerable amount both hard and soft water will have an impact.  The World Health Organisation recommends that people find how much calcium and magnesium are in their water supply when drinking frequently.

Indications of hard water

Hard water interferes with almost every cleaning task and kitchen appliance. It can also clog up pipes and leave marks on silverware due to the build-up of limescale.

Are there any health risks associated with soft water?

There should not be any health risks drinking soft water if you have a varied and balanced diet that includes rich sources of minerals such as calcium and magnesium. For those that have high blood pressure, it is important to be aware that sodium will affect blood pressure levels so it may be advised against softening drinking water.

Is it better to drink mineral water or filtered?

Drinking mineral water will give you a healthy balance of minerals when sourced from a high-quality valley or spring. Mineral water has been shown to benefit digestion, kidney production, and lower bad cholesterol, compared to standard tap water.

Filtered water can also be a viable option in some cases as a high-quality filter will strip out impurities and not remove all the minerals that are essential for your body.

Water coolers are an excellent solution for companies to ensure that staff are well hydrated and eliminating the risk of consuming excessive minerals. Our water coolers guarantee pure, healthy, high quality water that is sourced sustainably and checked by our specialists. Our solutions ensure that your business receives adequate drinking water all year, eliminating the risk and providing peace of mind that people are safely hydrated. For more information about how Cooleraid can help you, contact our specialists today!