With more than 30 years’ experience in the residential and commercial water treatment space, Mark Nelson is a Class 1 Drinking-Water Operator and a CBWA (Canadian Bottled Water Association) Certified Plant Operator. As founder and president of Nelson Water in Ottawa, Mark focuses on dealing with challenging water treatment system designs for problem water. He also heads the largest water bottling plant in the city of Ottawa with a delivery network throughout the Valley.
In recent years, and especially in the last year, people have started to pay close attention to their health. We all rely on a clean source of drinking water to maintain optimal health and millions of dollars are spent each year on bottled mineral water. Medical experts are keen to tell us about the essential minerals required for our health but do we need them in our drinking water? In this article, we will take a closer look at the health benefits of cleaner water, minerals, and how you can get both each day.
The Health Benefits of Clean Drinking Water
Water is vital for good health for a wide variety of reasons and most of our bodies are composed of it. In any given person, the volume of water is around 60% and the exact distribution can vary depending on different areas of our bodies. As an example: around 80% of our kidneys and muscle groups are water, but this drops to 75% in our heart and the brain. Even our skin is 60% water and despite having 80% water in our lungs, we never feel like we’re drowning. The bones in our bodies need to be tough, dense, and durable but they still contain around 30% water in a healthy person.
As you can see, we need plenty of water or we start to experience negative consequences. This begins in the early stages of dehydration when our mouths feel dry and we may have a bad headache. Then our skin may feel less flexible and we start to experience fatigue and a loss of mental clarity. The ultimate stages are lethal, but for most of us in the developed world, there are other issues. Many people are unaware that a lack of water can lead to significant weight gain and an increased risk of heart, kidney, and other health problems.
7 Minerals Added to Drinking Water
Through natural processes and the intervention of municipal water treatment plants there are seven minerals added to public drinking water, they are:
1. Sodium
We are often warned about ingesting sodium, but we do need it in small quantities to maintain health. Around 1,500 up to 2,300 mg will suffice and it helps us to balance the nutrient and water levels inside our cells. Salt is also essential for the correct conduct of nerve impulses in our bodies.
2. Potassium
Potassium is an electrolyte that works with the sodium to achieve the optimal balance of fluid content in our cells. This helps us to achieve efficient conduction of the electrical impulses including proper heart function. Potassium helps us to control muscle cramps and helps muscles to relax and contract properly. Sufficient levels of potassium prevent the loss of other essential nutrients via the kidneys and it can lower your blood pressure. In this way, potassium is vital, because it promotes blood flow and can lower the risks of a stroke or heart attack.
3. Magnesium
Magnesium helps us to convert amino acids into proteins and this helps us to convert nutrients into energy that we can use. Like sodium and potassium, magnesium promotes good cardiovascular health and can help the nervous system. Studies have shown that around 50% of people have some degree of magnesium deficiency. This has been linked with high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and feelings of depression. Some lesser health issues can include muscle inflammation and cramping which can be alleviated with magnesium supplementation.
4. Iron
Iron boosts our energy levels and helps to improve mental clarity. Iron oxygenates the blood to boost our immune systems and promote better gastrointestinal health. If you consume adequate levels of iron your body temperature is better regulated and your organs are healthier.
5. Calcium
Most people know that calcium is essential for healthy bones and teeth. But, our organs, muscles, and nerve systems all need calcium to function correctly. A calcium deficiency can lead to an increased risk of osteoporosis and the improper growth of bone. When you consume adequate quantities of calcium you have healthier cholesterol levels, improved blood pressure, and the efficiency of other nutrients is boosted.
6. Bicarbonate
This is found in both tap and mineral water and it acts as an electrolyte in a similar way to potassium and sodium. This regulates electrical impulses and cellular fluid and it prevents the blood from becoming too alkaline or acidic. This has an effect on soreness and fatigue felt in muscles when lactic acid accumulates there after a workout.
7. Zinc
Zinc promotes the formation of protein, it helps in the production of DNA and this makes it a vital nutrient for growth, development, and cellular regeneration. When you ingest zinc it makes you look youthful because it strengthens your skin cells. If you’re recovering from surgery or a wound, you need zinc because it promotes healing. Finally, zinc is vital for the production of immune cells that help us to resist and overcome infections.
Are You Consuming Enough Essential Nutrients?
As you can see, these seven essential minerals are vital for good health. But, should they be in our drinking water? This may seem like a strange question to ask because we can’t produce these minerals in our bodies. Some of these minerals are found in bottled water but that can be expensive, hard to store and it produces a lot of plastic waste. Calcium, magnesium, and iron are all found in hard water but that creates scale that damages our plumbing pipes and water using appliances.
What is the Solution?
Studies have shown that the take up of essential minerals is far more effective when it’s ingested in food or supplements. When our bodies attempt to make use of minerals in water the quantities required would be extremely high and you would need to drink gallons of water to reach your daily requirements. Eating a healthy diet and taking supplements as needed is a more effective way to get the minerals you need. For your drinking water, it’s a better idea to install a water filtration system and softener. This will remove a wide variety of contaminants, improve your health and protect your home at the same time. Contact your local certified water treatment specialist for expert help and advice today.