Got Hard Water? 3 Surprising Health Benefits Associated With Hard Water

Posted on: 14 April 2015

While your detergents and soaps won't lather up very well in hard water, your body gets many benefits from it. For this reason, many doctors have started advising patients to do away with their water softeners, at least when it comes to drinking water. Why? Water softeners work by adding sodium to the water, which causes an ion exchange that lowers water hardness. Increased sodium intake poses many health risks. Not only that, there is no evidence to suggest that hard water harms the body. In fact, there are surprising health benefits associated with hard water. 

Stronger Bones

Hard water contains several minerals that most people don't get enough of, such as calcium and magnesium. People who drink hard water are able to consume higher concentrations of these minerals than they would otherwise get from diet alone. Calcium, in particular, poses many health benefits. For example, low calcium is connected to brittle, weak bones. In addition to preventing bone diseases, such as osteoporosis, calcium helps your body burn more fat. It may also help prevent life-threatening diseases, such as cancer and heart disease. 

Fewer Illnesses

Magnesium may help you live a happier and healthier life. Recent studies have shown that magnesium helps prevent cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. Magnesium has also been shown to reduce instances of headaches, and it is known to combat depression and anxiety.

Unfortunately, it is very difficult to get enough magnesium from food alone. For this reason, most health officials recommend vitamin supplements. However, those who have hard water are often able to get enough magnesium by drinking their tap water, which makes additional supplements unnecessary. 

Less Toxicity

Some water pipes, especially those found in older homes, are made from toxic substances, such as lead. Old brass and chrome pipes were also commonly connected with lead-based materials. As a corrosive, soft water eats away at pipes, allowing more lead and other toxins to mix with your drinking water. 

Lead poisoning is associated with multiple illnesses and learning disabilities in children and adults. It has also been found to cause developmental delays in children. In adults, it can cause high blood pressure, kidney damage and other illnesses.

There are many health benefits associated with drinking hard water. Not only will your body be healthier if you remove your water softener, you will be able to rest easy knowing that the water coming out of your tap is as healthy as it can be.

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