3 Harmful Effects of Drinking Hard Water (& What to Do About It)

Metallic, chalky, and just plain gross—sound like your tap water? If the thought of taking a swig from your kitchen sink makes you cringe, you're not alone. Hard water doesn't just mess with your appliances; it can ruin your hydration goals and have you reaching for anything but another glass of water.

Join us as we discover the top three health risks and how to soften your water for good.

What is Hard Water?

Hard water contains high levels of dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium. These minerals are picked up as water moves through the ground's limestone, chalk, or gypsum deposits. Even after water treatment, it can still enter the water supply.

Hard water silently sabotages your home, leaving limescale on faucets, inside appliances, and pipes. It reduces water pressure, damages washing machines, and makes clothes look dingy. This mineral buildup gradually corrodes water heaters and plumbing, leading to costly repairs and premature replacement of household equipment.

While hard water is generally safe to drink, excessive mineral content can lead to certain health concerns.

Top 3 Health Concerns of Hard Water

1. Digestive Issues

Hard water can wreak havoc on your digestive system. The high levels of calcium and magnesium can overwhelm your body's ability to process minerals, leading to uncomfortable digestive issues. [1] Many people experience constipation, bloating, and other gut problems from regularly drinking mineral-heavy water.

When your digestive system can't efficiently break down these excess minerals, it can trigger inflammation and disrupt your gut's natural balance. Over time, this might cause your body to become less tolerant of these minerals, potentially worsening symptoms like IBS and abdominal discomfort.

If you're experiencing persistent digestive troubles, the water you're drinking could be part of the problem.

2. Kidney Stones

Hard water might be setting you up for painful kidney stones. Its high mineral content—especially calcium and magnesium—can increase your risk of developing these uncomfortable deposits.

When your body can't effectively dilute these minerals, they can crystallize in your kidneys, forming stones that are painful to pass and can cause severe discomfort. While diet plays a role, the minerals in your drinking water could also contribute to this health risk.

Symptoms of kidney stones include:

• Severe pain
• Nausea
• Blood in the urine

3. Nervous System Problems

Hard water may pose hidden risks to your nervous system. While more research is needed, the connection between hard water and nervous system problems is concerning.

The high mineral content and potential contaminants like industrial waste and arsenic can interfere with nerve cell communication, potentially leading to serious health issues. Prolonged exposure might disrupt how your body transmits signals between nerve cells. This can cause symptoms like:

• persistent fatigue
• recurring headaches
• potential cognitive difficulties

How to Get Rid of Hard Water

Water treatment technologies offer promising solutions for combating hard water. Reverse osmosis is an effective method for purifying water and reducing mineral content.

This technique pushes water through a specialized membrane, effectively filtering out minerals, toxins, and impurities. The process moves water from a concentrated solution to a more diluted state, removing contaminants like calcium, magnesium, lead, and harmful bacteria.

Key benefits of reverse osmosis include:

• Removing excess minerals that can cause health issues
• Softening water for better cooking and personal care
• Filtering out pollutants and chemical contaminants
• Operating with minimal energy consumption, making it cost-effective

Unlike traditional water softening methods, reverse osmosis provides comprehensive water purification. It addresses hard water problems and ensures safer, cleaner drinking water by eliminating a wide range of potential health risks.

For homeowners concerned about water quality, installing a reverse osmosis system can effectively protect both household appliances and personal health.

Balance Your Water With MAYU

Reverse osmosis is a powerful solution for tackling hard water. It removes harmful minerals, contaminants, and impurities that can compromise health and home appliances. However, it also removes beneficial minerals from the water.

At MAYU, we understand that pure water isn't just about removal but restoration. MAYU | Full Cycle combines reverse osmosis filtration with our unique Swirl technology and Essential Mineral Drops. This ensures your water is not only contaminant-free but also revitalized and perfectly balanced with the essential minerals your body needs.

It's a holistic approach that transforms ordinary water into an optimal hydration experience—and it tastes great, too!