22 Surprising Benefits of Filtered Water
Water contamination is still a major problem to this day, therefore, it is crucial that we drink clean and pure water. Filtered water comes clean and ready to drink straight from the source. Whether you use a tap filter or a filtered water pitcher, it is still better than purified water. Purified water must be treated after being retrieved from the source.
You may wonder why one would be better than the other or why plain old tap water isn’t just fine. There are plenty of health hazards that come with drinking unfiltered water, and there are also many health benefits to consider when you are debating whether to make the switch to have a water filtration system installed.
Benefits of Filtered Water
You may be surprised at the benefits of having healthier water with a house filtration system. Beyond removing contaminants, there are a host of other actions water filters have on your well-being and water quality. Installing water filtration systems is a simple and effective way to improve almost everything about your water and family's health With that being said, let's jump into the list!
Removes Chlorine
Water has to be decontaminated before it can be distributed as local drinking water. Most local water sources use dangerous contaminants such as chlorine to prevent contamination with germs and bacteria from the water. While it is good for disinfecting the water, it can prove harmful to human health, including an increased risk for cancer, especially rectal, colon, and bladder cancer. The good news is that a good water filter eliminates the risk of harsh chemicals and helps to remove the chlorine and other harmful contaminants leftover from city water filtration systems.
Reduces Limescale
Limescale is the off-white, chalky deposits that you often find in tea kettles. It is one of the things that make your home water feel “hard”. Along with creating hard water and causing a buildup in your pipes and appliances, limescale makes your water taste worse.
In some areas, tap water has a high amount of limescale. And sometimes even bottled water can contain limescale. Because of this, your water quality should be incredibly important. Quality water filters will greatly reduce limescale in your drinking or cooking water.
Better for the Environment
17 million barrels of oil are used to create one year’s worth of bottled water in America. That doesn’t even account for the carbon emissions and bottles that end up in landfills [1]. When you use a water filtration system, you are able to get it straight from the source. This cuts out the disposable bottles. Investing in a reusable water bottle can save you money in the long run. Also, it saves the environment from the negative impact of mass production and plastic waste.
Reduces Tap Water Odor
You may have noticed when you turn on your tap that there is an unpleasant smell. Because standard tap water is treated with a variety of chemicals and exposed to heavy metals and other environmental aspects, your water may have a bad smell.
Drinking water straight from the tap is no longer advisable due to bacteria found in the water unless you invest in a filter tap. Fortunately, water filters help to remove chemicals and other outside contaminants. This is what is causing the unpleasant odor. Removing the odor makes your water-drinking experience much more enjoyable.
Improves Skin Health
It is generally well known that drinking plenty of water helps improve skin hydration. Individuals with sensitive skin and those who suffer from skin irritations and conditions such as eczema or psoriasis may be harmed by exposure to chemicals in water such as chlorine. Drinking filtered, clean water can add to the benefits of your skincare routine as well. With fewer harsh chemicals in your water, your body will have an easier time processing the water and keeping your skin perfectly hydrated, resulting in healthier skin. Aside from dietary water, filtering your shower water can soften the water and leave your skin with more moisture than if you use regular tap water.
Removes Metals from Water
Common tap water supplies also contain harmful substances, such as certain amounts of heavy metals. Metals like lead, mercury, arsenic, and dioxins, among others, have all been found in common tap water. Of course, these substances are harmful to your body and so having them, even in only small concentrations, can be problematic.
Using a water filtration system greatly reduces the heavy metals in your water and thus reduces the potential health problems that accompany ingesting heavy metals.
Reduces Acid Reflux
If you suffer from heartburn or acid reflux, you guessed it, using a water filtration system can help! While this specific benefit is limited to alkaline water filters, there are studies that show the health benefits of drinking specifically alkaline water. Alkaline refers to the pH level in the water, which measures further away from the acidic range of the pH scale. Above all else, filtered water can greatly help.
Aids in Weight Loss
Whether you are trying to lose weight or just get into better shape, drinking filtered water is one of the most important changes you can make. Along with the other numerous benefits, drinking plenty of fluids can help reduce your appetite and increase the energy you burn while resting. Because of this, you should be sure to drink at least 64 ounces a day. You may need to drink more if you exercise regularly.
Makes Better Coffee and Tea
Because filtering your water decreases heavy metals, limescale, and chlorine, you will have a better cup of coffee. Using a water filtration system to make your brews will not only create less limescale buildup in your coffee pot or tea kettle but there will be fewer contaminants and acid altering the flavor of your favorite flavor of tea or coffee. Be sure to filter your water before putting it in your kettle, and you are sure to have a tastier brew.
Has Anti-Oxidant Properties
It may seem unlikely that water filtration could have antioxidant properties, but it is possible. Antioxidants are measured by their oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), which is the measurement of potential energy measured in water. Certain filters can reduce the oxidation levels present in your water, giving it beneficial antioxidant properties. Antioxidants can be man-made or natural and may prevent or delay certain types of cell damage.
Makes Water Taste Better
Not only does filtered water smell better than tap water and unfiltered water, but it can also taste much cleaner and more refreshing as well. Installing a home filtration system can provide you with clean, better-tasting water while also minimizing environmental impact. By removing chlorine, dioxins, lead, mercury, and arsenic, your water will be cleaner, and the taste will be purer. And you can actually taste the difference too! Try drinking a glass of water straight from your tap and then using a pitcher filter to pour a glass of water.
Improves Digestion
Filtered water has an enhanced healthy mineral content which can help with digestion. With proper hydration, your body can more easily transport these nutrients and minerals throughout your body. By having more nutrients distributed through your body, you will not only feel better, but your body will be able to more easily process soluble fiber. This makes the digestion process more gentle on your body.
Gets Rid of Organic Contaminants
Many organic contaminants are circulated through our public water systems as well. Consequently, substances like hormones, drugs, and pesticides make their way into our digestive tracts. Though city decontamination stations do their best to eliminate these contaminants, there is still concern that your tap water may contain harmful organic compounds.
Fortunately, a water filtration system will further the decontamination of any compounds found in the tap water, and the better quality of the filter, the higher the chances of removing the most amounts of contaminants.
Makes Healthier Smoothies
Because filtered water contains far fewer harmful chemicals, and can help aid in digestion, your smoothies will be much healthier! Instead of using yogurt, milk, or fruit juice bases for your smoothies, try using filtered water mixed with fruit. Not only will a quality filter provide you with a better-tasting and cleaner smoothie, but you will be having fewer calories and sugars, which can help you stay healthier.
Reduces Cardio Stress
Another benefit that works with alkalizing filters is the reduction of cardio stress. A study has shown that using alkalizing supplements before intense cardio can reduce stress during your workout. Alkaline-filtered water can lower cardiorespiratory stress, lower blood lactate levels, and increase levels of upper body power during workouts.
Keeps You Healthier
Filtering water makes your water smell and taste better, making it easier to drink. And staying hydrated with healthier water is one of the first lines of defense for staving off sickness. Drinking pure water helps to support the immune system and mental health function. Ultimately, staying properly hydrated throughout the day will not only help you feel better, but it will help your body build the defenses necessary to avoid sickness, which will help you stay healthier longer.
Saves Money from Bottled Water
When you are using filtered water, either from your tap or a filtered pitcher, you are saving a ton of money by buying bottled water. Investing in a reusable, BPA-free water container and refilling it throughout the day eliminates the need to buy bottled water. Americans tend to average nearly 200 water bottles a year and at two dollars a bottle, that can add up fast. Save yourself money by drinking filtered water from home.
Helps Prevent Headaches
Dehydration can lead to a number of uncomfortable symptoms, including irritability, constipation, brain fog, and headaches. Fortunately, water filtration curbs the symptoms of dehydration and can avoid or improve headaches. Because filtered water tastes better, it is easier to drink the proper amount every day to avoid dehydration and the debilitating symptoms that come with it.
Makes Your Food Taste Better
Without organic contaminants and chemicals in your water, the flavors of your food will come through better. When you cook with regular tap water, the heavy metals and chlorine that come through your tap can absorb into the food you cook, which can make it taste slightly different. When you boil water, the limescale is more likely to appear as well. Using water filtration, however, gets rid of these extra contaminants, and your food will have a more natural flavor and be healthier for you.
Improves Healthy Teeth
An alkaline water filter reduces the acidity of your water which can greatly improve the health of your teeth. Acidic pH levels have the potential to cause deterioration and demineralization of teeth, which can lead to serious problems over time. Reducing the acidity of your water with an alkaline filter will keep your teeth healthy and give them a cleaner feel.
Increases Energy
Your body needs plenty of water to function. For that reason, staying properly hydrated throughout the day is necessary for living an active life. Often when we think we need energy drinks, coffee, or some other form of caffeine, it turns out we just need better hydration. Drinking an adequate amount of clean cold water can give you the energy you need without caffeine which is known to further dehydrate the body.
Enhances Hydration
Did you know water that is filtered can actually enhance your hydration? A study showed that subjects who were given mineral-rich alkaline water to drink over a four-week period showed improved acid balance and hydration statuses after just the first week. Therefore, you should be sure to use an alkaline filter to receive the same benefits.
If you're dehydrated, you could experience muddled thinking, overheating, constipation, kidney stones, and mood changes. Thankfully, there's an easy fix to all of that: Drink more water!
How to Get Filtered Water
In general, there are three categories of home water filtration systems. From whole house water filters, reverse osmosis water filters, pitcher filters, alkaline filters, and more… there are a lot of options to filter your water. It varies by your needs, but usually, whole-house water filtration systems are arguably the best house water filtration systems out there. If using a reverse osmosis filter, you need to consider how to add back minerals lost by the RO process.
Is filtered water good for you?
Does filtered water make you pee more
Conclusion
There are many benefits to take into account when considering making the switch to a better water filtration system. Whether you should get a regular filter for your tap, a pitcher filter, or an alkaline filter are all considerations you should take into account. But the benefits of clean water and having a quality water filtration system are plentiful.
Noteworthy is better digestive health, but with a water filtration system you can also enjoy more energy and save money. Consequently, few things are as critical to our health as water, so hydrating healthy is a no-brainer.
