Staying hydrated is essential to your health! Reverse Osmosis Water vs. Tap Water
With the importance importance of water to our bodies and health, is the best option Reverse Osmosis water? Yes! Water is vital to life and essential for good health. Your body’s cells, tissues, and organs all require water.
In our increasingly health-conscious society, we are constantly reminded of the importance of hydration. Our bodies are almost two-thirds water, and we need it to function correctly. Water helps our bodies transport nutrients and oxygen, regulates temperature, aids digestion, removes waste products, lubricates joints, and keeps our skin healthy.
Simply put, we need water to live. Most Americans are fortunate to have clean drinking water right from their taps. But what is in our tap water, and is it appropriately purified? Is our tap water chemical-free and safe for our family? Or should we use a Reverse Osmosis (RO) system for our drinking water?
What is in our Tap Water?
The US government enforces strict standards and laws to ensure that our drinking water is safe and suitable. Standards for water quality include microorganisms, chemicals like nitrate and pesticides, lead and copper, taste, and appearance.
While the mineral content of tap water varies depending on where it is sourced, the following nutrients are commonly found in our drinking water.
- Calcium – essential for bone health
- Magnesium – essential for cardiovascular and bone health
- Fluoride – effective in preventing dental issues
- Sodium – a vital electrolyte that can be lost with excess sweat
- Copper – essential for cardiovascular health, iron utilization, and antioxidant function
- Selenium – essential for the immune system and antioxidant function
While we are legally guaranteed clean, safe drinking water, additional minerals are found in our tap water. So, what exactly does the reverse osmosis process do?
What is in Reverse Osmosis Water?
The water produced by a reverse osmosis system is known as reverse osmosis water. Reverse Osmosis is the best water filtration method for producing the purest water possible. These systems will remove 98 percent of harmful molecules such as fluoride, lead, chlorine, chloramines, pesticides, and many others.
After completing this filtration process, the produced water will be expertly clean, safe to drink, and stored for future use. A Reverse Osmosis water system will provide pure water for the duration of the system’s life with regular maintenance, filter, and membrane changes.
While we are fortunate to have safe drinking water pumped to our homes in the United States, some areas may still have potential issues and concerns regarding the use of pesticides or herbicides. Reverse Osmosis water is an excellent option for removing trace minerals in areas where water quality is questionable. Using Reverse Osmosis water to ensure water safety can be critical for people with severe allergies, illnesses, and health concerns. This will produce very high-quality water that will remove nearly every contaminant possible, reassuring those who may require it.
Potential Concerns with Tap water
Our drinking water is pumped to our homes via pipes and networks installed in the early to mid-twentieth century. With a lifespan of 75 to 100 years, these pipes would require significant investment to ensure that they are still fit for purpose or replacement to protect public health and the environment.
Furthermore, Orb Media discovered in 2017 that 83% of water samples collected from 159 taps in fourteen different countries across five continents were contaminated with microscopic plastic fibers.
It was estimated in 2009 that approximately 25% of households had a lead pipe, either as a connection to the water mains or as an integral part of the household plumbing. While lead is no longer found in paints, gasoline, or food containers, small amounts can accumulate over time and cause serious health issues if your water is routed through lead pipes.
As previously stated in the article, chlorine is added to the water at the end of the treatment process to kill any remaining bacteria. However, recent research suggests that long-term consumption of chlorine-contaminated water may increase bladder and colorectal cancer risk.
Despite being told that tap water in the United States is safe to drink, potential contaminants may cause some concern. Is Reverse Osmosis the better option, or are there any potential drawbacks to it?
Summary
Water, in any form, is essential for our health, whether it is tap water or reverse osmosis water.
To maintain a healthy body, we must drink enough water each day to allow our bodies to function at their best. In the United States, we are fortunate to have good quality, safe drinking water pumped directly to our homes.
However, by incorporating Reverse Osmosis, we can make our drinking water even purer by removing all traces of harmful contaminants. Our society is becoming increasingly health-conscious.
With the possibility of lead, chlorine, and other contaminants in our tap water, Reverse Osmosis water would be an excellent choice for ensuring that the water we consume is safe for our health and bodies.
