Water is essential to life, yet unclean water can harm you. Health and water are closely related as water is one of the elements required by almost every organism to exist.
As of now, people are becoming more aware of the importance of the quality and safety of drinking water. Because of this, a lot of research has been done to answer the question, “What does the quality of drinking water have to do with your health?”
Researchers have studied the effects that water contaminants have on human health. They have found that some people may be more susceptible to certain types of diseases or conditions because of the water that they consume.
In case you worry about you and your family’s safety, here are the reasons why you need to be aware of the quality of water that you drink:
Why Should We Care About Water Quality
Drinking Water With Added And Unwanted Chemical May Get You Sick
The chemicals that are added to water systems can cause the water supply’s pH level to change. And depending on the resulting pH level, your body’s pH level may get affected too once you consume water.
Once you drink acidic or alkaline water for long periods, your body’s chemical balance may get out of order. When it does, you can become prone to certain diseases. It may also affect the activity of your lymphatic system. This is the part of the body that produces white blood cells and other immune system components.
Aside from pH-changing chemicals, contaminants can get into the water supply as well. Some of those are chlorine, pesticides, herbicides, benzene, and other chemicals that can cause various serious health problems. This is the reason a water filtration system is beneficial as it can remove contaminants and unwanted sediments from the water you drink.
If you want to learn more about the many different types of water filters available on the market today, you can check out review sites like sickofbeingstuck.com to learn more about them.
Consuming Quality Water Is Good For The Heart
Drinking water that has been filtered has certain health benefits for the heart. According to a study, daily consumption of distilled water helps to reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease.
Additionally, research reveals that water rich in nutrients helps to keep your heart functioning normally and boost your resting heart rate. Some have found that routinely drinking water that includes particular minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium can give several health advantages.
The Quality Of Water Varies and Affects Health In Different Ways
It’s critical to remember that the quality of drinking water varies. Certain types of water contain a greater concentration of minerals than others. Water from nature, such as rainfall or spring water, is healthier and more beneficial to the body compared to regular tap water.
For instance, distilled water lacks the essential minerals found in rainwater or spring water. These are critical sources of water for the body. In comparison, mineral-rich water found in mineral springs is rich in calcium and magnesium, both of which are healthy to our bones and teeth.
Drinking Contaminated Water Can Lead To Various Diseases
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), lead in water can introduce negative effects such as learning issues and short attention spans. On the other hand, drinking water containing arsenic can harm nerves, heart, skin, and blood vessels. Meanwhile, cryptosporidium in water can cause severe diarrhea, which might be life-threatening.
According to the CDC, G. intestinalis, hepatitis A, norovirus, and Shigella are the top causes of illness outbreaks caused by contaminated drinking water. That may seem awful, but it’s by no means a comprehensive list. The list also includes the risk of disease from exposure to polluted water that contains bacteria, viruses, other contaminants, and organic and inorganic debris.
On the other hand, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting can result from microbes in treated drinking water. Certain contaminants in treated drinking water can increase the risk of developing cancer, especially if an individual is constantly exposed to the contaminant throughout his or her life. These may include carcinogens, which have been shown to cause certain types of cancers.
Meanwhile, arsenic is a common contaminant of municipal water supplies. It causes anemia in children and increases the risk of diarrhea and skin irritation in adults. Exposure to arsenic can cause lung disease and stomach cancer in humans. Other health effects of arsenic are still unknown. Still, it’s associated with some disease states in animals, including cancer. There have been reports of child mortality due to water contamination attributed to arsenic and lead poisoning.
Lastly, chlorine is a common contaminant of public water supplies, especially in developing countries. It causes dry mouth and nose irritations and increases the risk of diarrhea and other gastrointestinal diseases. Children are more likely to become exposed to chlorine by consuming unfiltered tap water.
Chlorination effectively kills most of the contaminants mentioned above, but the residuals can prove harmful when ingested. The remaining contaminants combine with bacteria and other toxins to form new contaminants that may be even more dangerous.
Drinking Quality Water Is A Basic Necessity
Water plays such an important role in your day-to-day life. Without it, you may quickly become dehydrated, experience weakness, headaches, and fatigue. Without it, many of your organs may fail to perform as needed, such as the kidneys. The skin also depends on water to keep it soft and hydrated.
Additionally, drinking water with a moderate amount of fluoride can provide health benefits for the teeth. These benefits of drinking quality water supply far beyond just taste.
Water is important. Despite being 70% water, a human body may survive many weeks without food, yet only a week without water is potentially lethal. The recommended water to drink is at least eight glasses of water every day to get the full health benefits of drinking quality water.
Conclusion
The quality of drinking water greatly affects your health both in good or bad ways. People know the contributing factors of quality water on improving the quality of life exposed to stress, unhealthy lifestyle, diseases, etc.
On the other hand, unfiltered or contaminated water poses many health risks, as mentioned in this article. Therefore, it’s important to ensure that you only drinking clean and sparkling water which provides you with health benefits but also helps in reducing chances of getting various diseases that can affect your health.