The Truth About Hard Water and Kidney Stones
In your quest to learn more about the water that you drink, you’ve likely come across information implying that hard water causes kidney stones. Which may sound alarming, but is it true?
We know that our bodies are fueled by what we put into it. The quality of the food and drinks we consume plays a role in the health and function of our bodies. What we do know is that drinking water, lots of it, is good for us. Water hydrates our bodies, allowing our organs to function properly and helping to maintain our body temperature. It plays a role in digestive and urinary health, gives us energy, and allows our skin to glow. But is there a downside if you have hard water?
Bold claims, like hard water leading to kidney stones, are made to grab attention and increase readership. But it appears that it is precisely that: an exaggerated headline stemming from an incomplete truth. Now, if you have a history of kidney stones, that may be another story. Your doctor may advise you to avoid hard water because it may aggravate an existing problem.
Come along as we guide you through the connection between hard water and kidney stones, so you can decide what is best for you and your health.
What is a Kidney Stone?
Kidneys are the body’s built-in filtration system. They perform the crucial work of filtering your blood to maintain the perfect balance. The kidneys remove extra water from the bloodstream, maintaining proper mineral levels, and adjust pH levels. Everything the kidneys filter out in the process exits the body through urine.
A kidney stone develops when the minerals your kidneys filter out clump together and crystallize into a hard mass. And the bad news is that once they form, you have to pee them out, which is incredibly painful.
What Causes Kidney Stones?
There are a variety of ways that kidney stones can develop. It usually happens when the minerals become concentrated. Perhaps as a result of dehydration, recent weight loss surgery, obesity, or extreme exercise. For whatever reason, if there isn’t enough water to dilute the minerals, they have the potential to form a stone.
Does Hard Water Play a Role?
Hard water does play a role in kidney stones, but maybe not in the way that you assume.
Often, people assume that because hard water has high levels of calcium (an element commonly found in kidney stones), it leads to their formation. However, at this point, the scientific evidence doesn’t support that theory. Even if your water contains a significant amount of calcium, it’s likely not enough to cause problems.
Water’s role is to keep you hydrated, giving your body the critical tools it needs to avoid the formation of kidney stones. Since dehydration plays a major role in the cause, you should drink a lot of water, even if it is hard water. And especially if you are prone to developing kidney stones.
Do I Need Water Filtration?
While hard water isn’t necessarily the cause, there are a few ways water filtration can help you avoid kidney stones.
Increased Hydration
You’ll drink more water if your water tastes good. The best way to stay hydrated is to love the water you drink. Maintaining adequate hydration is imperative to fending off kidney stones; the best way to do that is to drink up. For people who struggle to drink water because of the taste of their home water supply, a reverse osmosis (RO) system may just be the answer. An RO system filters out nearly everything except the H2O, leaving you with pure and better tasting water.
Eliminate Calcium for High-Risk People
If you already have kidney stone issues, avoiding minerals that may cause them to form doesn’t hurt. Some people are more prone to the issue than others. If this is you, your doctor may suggest avoiding water with a high mineral content to prevent the problem from recurring.
What Type of Filtration Should I Consider
While your local water expert will be the best source of information, a water softener and reverse osmosis system are fantastic options that will remove the hard minerals from your water.
Water Softening
A home water softener system uses a process called ion exchange to swap the hard minerals in your water for sodium ions. This is an effective solution for people who want to protect their entire home, including drinking water, from hard water minerals.
Reverse Osmosis
A reverse osmosis system is installed at a point of use (the tap) to filter out unwanted particles from your water, focusing specifically on your drinking water. It will get rid of calcium and magnesium but will also get rid of chemicals, contaminants, and anything else you don’t want lurking in your drinking water. As an added bonus, it will make your drinking water taste incredible.
Combination
Depending on the goals you have for your water, you may benefit from a combination of softening and filtration. With a softener to protect your home and an RO system to deliver delicious drinking water, you will have the ideal setup to ensure you avoid all the effects of hard water.
So, while there is no need to worry about hard water causing kidney stones, taking steps to clean up your water can help you live a healthier lifestyle free from painful stones. By investing in a water filtration solution for your home, you’ll ensure that every part of your body, kidneys included, stays hydrated with fresh, delicious water.
Infographic
Your local water expert is your best source of information. For hard water, consider a water softener or reverse osmosis system, which remove hard minerals effectively. To learn more about the different types of filtration for hard water, check out this infographic.
