Hard water, a common occurrence in many parts of the UK, contains high mineral content, particularly calcium and magnesium. While drinking hard water is generally safe for everyone, the effects of drinking hard water on your health can vary from person to person. But let’s look at the impact hard water can have on your overall well-being, highlighting both the positive and negative aspects hard water can have on your health.

The effects of hard water on health

Hard water In the UK, characterised by its high mineral content, can impact health, so understanding its effects is essential for anyone wanting to strike a balance between the positive benefits and the negative drawbacks.

Hard water’s positive effects

Mineral intake

Hard water is an excellent natural source of essential minerals like sodium, calcium, and magnesium. These minerals are crucial in maintaining our bone health and helping various physical bodily functions. In the UK, deficiencies in these minerals can be common, so drinking hard water can be a valuable dietary supplement.

Taste and preference

Despite its high mineral content, some people actually prefer the taste of hard water, finding it has more flavour than softer water. While this is all down to personal taste and preference, if the hard water taste is preferred, it can lead to increased water intake, promoting better hydration.

Hard water’s negative effects

Skin and Hair Issues

The high mineral content in hard water can adversely affect your skin and hair. Stripping the skin of natural oils can lead to dryness and irritation and worsen skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis. People with sensitive skin may experience discomfort through prolonged exposure to hard water during showers and baths. Additionally, hard water can leave hair feeling brittle and difficult to manage.

Gastrointestinal and digestive problems

While the minerals in hard water can contribute to daily dietary intake, they may be challenging for some people. High levels of calcium and magnesium in water could lead to gastrointestinal problems, particularly for anyone with pre-existing conditions such as kidney stones or digestive issues like indigestion. 

Reducing the effects of hard water on your health

The effects of drinking hard water on health are balanced between both positive and negative aspects. While it’s a natural source of essential minerals, you shouldn't ignore the challenges posed by potential skin issues or gastrointestinal problems. 

Many UK households and businesses invest in water filtration systems to combat the negative effects of hard water. These filters reduce the mineral content, making the water softer to minimise skin and hair issues and internal health issues associated with hard water while maintaining trace minerals to aid everyday health.

While these can be fitted to any mains water supply, depending on the model, the advanced water filtration technology can reduce potentially harmful contaminants, sediment, bad taste, and odour issues, as well as remove trace plastics down to 1 micron in size (that’s one one-thousandth of a millimetre).

Thirsty Work for Pura, better tasting, healthy water

While our Pura filters can be fitted to your mains supply, they can also be added to a range of mains-fed water coolers for a pure, fresh taste every time. If you’re concerned about the water hardness in your area, speak to one of our Thirsty Work Pura consultants for more information or check out our water filtration options.

Talk to our customer service team today about getting a quote or starting your 10-day free water cooler trial. Call Thirsty Work on 01392 877 172, email hello@thirstywork.com, or message us today.