Top 10 Reasons Why Water Purification Is Important for Your Health
Did you know that about 60% of an adult's body is water? Water is an absolutely essential ingredient for human health and life. It is involved in countless essential processes, including helping deliver oxygen throughout your body, lubricating your joints, and allowing for the optimal health of your cells.
We all know that you're supposed to drink eight glasses of water a day for your health. But what if the water that your drinking is filled with contaminants that can detract from your overall health and wellbeing?
This notion is one of the reasons that many Americans choose to utilize water purification in their homes. This way, they can know that they don't have to worry about exposure to toxins when they are simply trying to stay hydrated.
Are you wondering what the benefits of water purification are? If so, stick with us while we look at ten reasons why purified water is important to your health.
Water Purification: What Is It?
Purified water is water that has been processed or filtered in order to remove contaminants such as chemicals. There are many types of impurities that are removed through purification, including:
- Bacteria
- Fungi
- Parasites
- Algae
- Chemical Pollutants
- Metals like lead and copper
Even though tap water is generally safe in most western countries, it often still has trace contaminants in it. This can lead to health problems over time.
In fact, the US Environmental Protection Agency has set limits for over 90 contaminants in drinking water in terms of the legal limits. This means that your tap water can still have contaminants even though they are known to be harmful.
It is known that exposure to heavy metals like copper and lead can wreak havoc on a person's health. Over time, they can lead to gastrointestinal issues and even brain damage. These metals can leach into the public drinking water source even in places where there is close regulation regarding drinking water.
The presence of chlorine, which is added as a treatment at many water treatment facilities, is also quite suspect. There have been a number of different studies that have linked chlorinated water to an increased risk for a variety of different cancers, one of which is colorectal cancer.
If you start googling around about scientific studies related to chlorine, fluoride, and other toxins in water, it's enough to make you feel panicked. For example, this release from John Hopkins University discusses the disturbing discoveries that have been made about lead levels in the water systems of cities across the country.
Exposure to lead can cause numerous devastating health problems for children, pregnant women, and adults. For children, even having low levels of lead in their bloodstream can lead to:
- Lower IQ and hyperactivity
- Learning and behavior problems
- Anemia
- Hearing problems
- Slowed growth
In some rare instances, children being exposed to lead can lead to coma, seizures, and even death.
Lead accumulation in pregnant women can lead to premature birth and reduced growth of the fetus. Lead can even be transmitted to babies through a woman's breast milk.
Exposure to lead can also negatively impact the health of adults. It can lead to:
- Reproductive problems in both women and men
- Decreased kidney function
- Cardiovascular effects including increased incidence of hypertension and increased blood pressure
Of course, lead is only one of the toxins that can be in your drinking water.
Fluoride in water is another topic of concern, though it is a controversial one. While there are some proposed benefits to fluoride in drinking water, many people do not think that those benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
For example, there are concerns that fluoride can increase cancer risk, impair brain development, and cause fluorosis.
1. The Best Water Filter Gives You Access to Safe Drinking Water At All Times
Staying hydrated is one of the most important things you can do for your overall health. However, if the water coming out of your tap is suspect to you, you are less likely to be drinking as much water as you need to.
Water that isn't filtered can be filled with contaminants, such as lead. This is true even when your water comes from the water treatment plant. Chemicals are added in the water treatment process such as chlorine and fluoride, which are harsh chemicals that you don't necessarily want to be putting in your body every day all day.
These chemicals might help to kill any viruses or bacteria that are in the water, but many people have concerns over what it does to your health to constantly be ingesting chemicals like chlorine and fluoride.
2. Removes Bacteria From Drinking Water
Installing water purification systems doesn't just remove chemicals and heavy metals. It also helps to remove dangerous bacteria from your drinking water. Purification can also remove algae, parasites, and fungi in addition to heavy metals and chemicals.
Our environment is filled with bacteria, and not all bacteria are bad for our health. However, disease-causing bacteria, parasites, and viruses can lead to sickness and disease.
If water is found to have coliform bacteria, specifically E. coli, it suggests the presence of pathogens that can cause:
- Headaches
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Cramps
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Fatigue
In some instances, this can even cause death. People with weakened immune systems, elderly people, children, and infants are more likely to get sick when they drink water that contains pathogens.
Public water systems are regularly tested for the presence of coliform bacteria. However, if you have a private well, you will need to take on this responsibility yourself. However, you can rest easy no matter where your water comes from by using water purification systems.
3. Promotes Skin Health
When your water has fluoride, chlorine, and heavy metals in it, it can aggravate skin conditions. For example, eczema and psoriasis can be made worse by exposure to these substances, particularly for children.
On top of that, drinking enough water is very important for your skin health. It doesn't just reduce dry skin but it also improves the look and quality of your skin. When your epidermis has the proper amount of water content, you will notice that your skin takes on a glow.
Rather than purchasing expensive and unreliable skin treatments from beauty companies and pharmacies, investing in a water purification system is a healthier and more sustainable way to improve your skin. Drinking water can help promote better skin health and rid your skin of harmful toxins.
4. Reduces the Risk of Gastrointestinal Diseases
Sometimes, parasites and other microscopic organisms can be found in water if it hasn't been properly treated. These can lead to digestive and intestinal problems that range from unpleasant to incredibly dangerous. When you drink purified water, you don't have to worry about the presence of this type of microorganism.
(Are you new to the world of water purification and are wondering what your options are? Check out our store of water purification systems here.)
5. Removes Deposits and Soap Scum on Clothes and Dishes
When you use unclean tap water to clean your clothes, the chemicals will leave deposits on your clothes over time. This can make your clothes smell differently and can even cause allergies and rashes. You will also likely notice soap scum building up on your clothes, your dishes, and your bathroom if you regularly use unfiltered tap water for your domestic cleaning.
6. Water Purification Removes Dangerous Chemicals
One of the most obvious benefits of water purification is that it removes harmful chemicals from the water you use to drink, bathe, clean your clothes and dishes, and more. If you are using municipal tap water, there is a good chance it has chemicals such as chloramines, arsenic, chlorine, and lead.
While these chemicals and heavy metals don't typically exist in high enough amounts to cause immediate health problems, it is thought that continued exposure can lead to major health issues over time.
When you drink water, you are doing it for your health and wellbeing. The last thing you want is to actually be exposing yourself to chemicals that can cause you harm.
7. It's Better For the Environment
Unfortunately, many people purchase bottled water when they are concerned about the safety of their tap water. However, not only is bottled water not necessarily any better than your unfiltered tap water, but plastic water bottles also wreak havoc on the environment.
In the U.S., there are about 50 billion plastic water bottles purchased every year, but only 38% of these are recycled. This means that billions of plastic water bottles are going to landfills every year. The average amount of time it takes for a plastic bottle to decompose is 450 years.
With water purification systems, you don't have to feel guilty about adding more plastic to landfills. On top of that, you will be saving a fortune compared to the cost of purchasing bottled water.
(Do you already have a water filter system in your home but you are searching for replacement filters? Take a look at our selection here.)
8. Water Purification Systems Help You Save Money
You will notice the savings right away if you have been buying bottled water and you switch to a water purification system. This is particularly true if there are several people in your household who typically drink bottled water.
Even if you haven't been buying bottled water, water purification systems can still help you save money. This is because it can help reduce plumbing repair bills. Unfiltered water typically has chemicals, minerals, and heavy metals that can cause damage to your plumbing system.
Your pipes can be impacted by this, but so can any of the appliances in your home that use water. This means that your garbage disposal, dishwasher, water dispenser, washing machine, and more can be protected by using filtered and purified water.
9. A Water Filter System Enhances Disaster Preparedness
Let's face it: the future is uncertain. If a disaster were to strike of any kind, having clean drinking water is one of the most crucial aspects of survival. If a sewer line were to burst near your home during a natural disaster, for example, the water can become contaminated and unsafe to drink.
When you have a home water purification system, though, you will have certainty that the water your family is drinking is still safe.
10. Improves the Taste of Drinking Water
Have you ever noticed that water can taste different depending on where it comes from? This isn't just in your head but is likely due to the fact that water can have chemicals, bacteria, and heavy metals in it. The overall purity, smell, and taste of your water are vastly improved by a home water filtration system.
Water purification also helps to reduce the pH level in your drinking water.
(Are you interested in reverse osmosis water filter systems? If so, check out these products.)
Is It Time For You to Start Thinking About Water Purification?
As you can see, there are a lot of reasons why water purification is likely the best choice for your health and the health of your family. While water treatment plants typically manage to remove some of the vilest toxins from our water, they do so by adding harsh chemicals that can cause chronic and life-threatening health problems in the long term. On top of that, heavy metals can be present in your water even when it's coming from a heavily monitored water treatment facility.
Are you looking for home water purification systems? If so, check out our online store today!