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What Are the Pros and Cons of Drinking Soft Water?

Amy Rodriguez
Amy Rodriguez

Many experts agree that drinking soft water can be harmful if ingested on a regular basis. Consumers will increase their sodium levels, have higher lead exposure, and may encounter physical dehydration. The benefits of soft water are not related to consumption; rather, the treated water helps prevent scaling build up on faucets for easier household cleaning. Softening water changes the chemical composition of hard water by removing calcium and magnesium. As a result, sodium is added in exchange for the missing elements, creating a soft water consistency.

Sodium is a necessary element within the human body. Adding more sodium into the diet through drinking soft water increases cardiovascular problems, however, such as high blood pressure. Water retention is a natural human body reaction to excess sodium, or salt, levels. A person who retains a constant amount of water increases his or her blood pressure since the heart and blood vessels must work harder to supply blood to the body. Experts agree that most of the population already consumes excess levels of sodium through unhealthy eating habits; drinking soft water simply increases the water retention issue.

Drinking soft water can be harmful if done too frequently.
Drinking soft water can be harmful if done too frequently.

The new chemical composition of the soft water makes it more volatile for gaining unwanted elements as it flows through household plumbing. Lead within pipe joints can easily seep into the soft water, accumulating in higher levels than if the water remained in its hard state. As a result, drinking soft water becomes even more dangerous as the lead systematically harms blood cells that carry vital oxygen to organs, muscles, and bone.

Consuming store bought bottled water is one way to avoid consuming harmful soft water.
Consuming store bought bottled water is one way to avoid consuming harmful soft water.

Drinking soft water also affects the human body's water levels, especially within each individual cell. Water movement is impeded by sodium's accompanying ion, chloride. Human body cells become dehydrated since the chloride provided by the soft water hinders the process of water movement through cellular walls.

Many experts and soft water distributors suggest using a soft water bypass water system for the kitchen, allowing hard water to flow for drinking and cooking uses. The main reason for softening water is to reduce mineral build up on physical items, such as dishes and sinks. Rings around the tub are reduced and laundry becomes brighter with less mineral build up.

Many soft water distributors offer bottled water as part of their service.
Many soft water distributors offer bottled water as part of their service.

A household that uses a soft water system without a kitchen bypass should use alternative water sources for consumption. Many soft water distributors offer bottled water as part of their service. Additionally, basic store bought bottled water is another alternative, preventing the household from consuming harmful soft water.

Discussion Comments

Drentel

I have hard water and soften it through filtration. We buy bottled water for drinking. The bottled water is an added expense, but in the long run, we are saving money because we won't have to replace our appliances and plumbing as soon because of hard water deposits.

Animandel

@Feryll - You should consider buying and drinking bottled water until you know exactly what type of water you have in your house. I have plenty of friends who refuse to drink any type of water, but one of the bottled brands. They claim that it is so much better for them than that dreaded tap water.

Personally, I think bottled water is an unnecessary expense for most people because most tap water is fine for drinking, but until you have your water tested it might be a good idea for you to use bottled water for drinking in your home.

Sporkasia

@Feryll - Chances are if you live in the United States then you have hard water. I read some statistics recently that predicted that 85 percent of the people living in the U.S. have hard water. There are a few places where the water is more likely to be soft, but you can look these up and see whether you are in one of these areas. But, as you said, having the water tested is probably the best measure to take simply to be sure.

Feryll

I haven't bothered to have the water in my house tested, but I think this is something I should do soon. Until reading this article, I didn't know drinking soft water could cause so many health problems.

I know plenty of people who have done things such as buying filters to get some of the minerals out of their hard water. I simply assumed soft water was better than hard water in general.

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    • Drinking soft water can be harmful if done too frequently.
      By: anyaivanova
      Drinking soft water can be harmful if done too frequently.
    • Consuming store bought bottled water is one way to avoid consuming harmful soft water.
      By: luchshen
      Consuming store bought bottled water is one way to avoid consuming harmful soft water.
    • Many soft water distributors offer bottled water as part of their service.
      By: karandaev
      Many soft water distributors offer bottled water as part of their service.
    • Softening water changes the composition of hard water by removing calcium and magnesium.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Softening water changes the composition of hard water by removing calcium and magnesium.