dm vs drinking water

8/6/2019 DM vs Drinking Water

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Posted : Dec, 2007 Distilled or low-mineral water hinders mineral absorption, upsets the watermetabolism and harms the vital organs

Distilled or demineralised water is harmfulto the body in many aspects. It never existsnaturally in nature, and it should not beused for regular drinking.

All natural waters contain small amounts ofgases, minerals and organic matter ofnatural origin. But demineralised water iscompletely or almost completely free ofdissolved minerals.

Distilled or demineralised water is highlyaggressive, and attacks the water pipes andplumbing system. There are higher risks ofheavy metal poisoning in areas suppliedwith low-mineral water.

Distilled or demineralised water readilyabsorbs carbon dioxide from the air, andbecomes acidic. Acidic water, includingsoft drinks, is not good for health.

In light of serious pollution in many water sources, pure distilled water or demineralisedwater has been touted in a marketing hype as a product good for health. However,according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), demineralised water is harmful tothe body in many aspects. (WHO 2004 paper Health Risks From DrinkingDemineralised Water)

Demineralised water reduces the water content inside body cells, and increases theexcretion of water and minerals through urine. It also upsets the balance of sodium andchloride ions, and hampers the proper functions of cell membranes, many bodyenzymes and water-dependent hormones. There is zero or very low intake of calcium,magnesium and essential microelements from demineralised water.

Consumers may suffer from tiredness, weakness, headache, muscular cramps andimpaired heart rate. Inadequate body water redistribution between variouscompartments (inside body cells, fluid between body cells, plasma in blood etc.) may

compromise the function of vital organs. In severe acute cases, brain oedema,convulsions and metabolic acidosis may occur.

What is demineralised water:

Demineralised water is defined as water completely or almost free of dissolvedminerals. The total dissolved solids (TDS) varies, and it can be as low as 1mg per litre.The electrical conductivity is usually less than 2 mS/m, and can be less than 0.1 mS/m.

In contrast, all natural waters, including groundwater or surface water, contain smallamounts of gases, minerals and organic matter of natural origin. These dissolvedsubstances give natural waters their characteristic taste. Good quality water maycontain such substances in hundreds of mg per litre.

Demineralised water never exists naturally in nature. Common methods used toproduce demineralised water include:

1. Distillation: Water is boiled and evaporated. The vapour is condensed as distilledwater.

2. Membrane filtration via reverse osmosis: Water is forced through membranes toremove minerals and contaminants in the water.

3. De-ionization by electrolysis

Traditionally, distilled water has been used for laboratory experiments, industrialproduction of chemicals and solvents, cleaning of equipments, printing and photoprocessing industries (which require mineral-free water) etc.

However, in the past two decades, there has been a sudden boom of bottled distilledwater as drinking water for general consumption. In addition, there are currently morethan 11,000 desalination plants in the world, producing more than 6 billion gallons ofdesalinated water per day.

Properties of demineralised or distilled water:

1. Highly aggressive

After the removal of minerals and other dissolved substances, pure water becomesvery unstable. The aggressive demineralised water would attack the waterdistribution pipe and storage tanks, leaching metals and other materials from them. Ifuntreated, its distribution through pipes and storage tanks would be impossible.(Source: WHO 2004 paper, section 1)

When demineralised or distilled water is ingested, the intestine has to addelectrolytes (mineral ions such as potassium and sodium) to this water first. Hence itwould take minerals away from the body reserves. As our bodies always eliminatefluid (urine or sweat) together with salts, intake of demineralised or distilled waterresults in dilution of the electrolytes dissolved in the body water. (Source: WHO 2004paper, section 2.1)

2. Acidic

Page 1 of 5Harm of Demineralised Water : Distilled or low-mineral water hinders mineral absorption...

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Low-mineral water causes transfer of waterfrom the body cells, red blood cells andtissue fluid into the blood plasma. Thekidneys will remove more water throughurine. Consumers have higher risks ofhypertension and coronary heart diseases.Photo: red blood cells

Theoretically, pure distilled water or demineralised water should be neutral in pHvalue (i.e. pH 7). However, because of the unstable nature of such water, it willrapidly absorb carbon dioxide in the air, making the water acidic, hence morecorrosive to pipes and storage tanks. Freshly distilled water may reach an acidic pHas low as 5.5 in a very short time. Acidic water is not a healthy choice for drinking.

3. Poor taste characteristics

Based on a study report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 1980, low-minerals water with a TDS of 25-50 mg/l was described as tasteless. (Source: WHO2004 paper, section 3)

4. Less thirst quenching (Source: WHO 2004 paper, section 2.1)

Demineralised or distilled water is less thirst quenching than water rich in minerals.This property may affect the amount of water consumed, and induce consumers toturn to other less satisfactory water sources or beverages (e.g. soft drinks,carbonated water, tea, coffee etc.)

Distilled or demineralised water will affectthe functions of brain cells and signaltransmission in the nervous system. Photo:brain cells

Low mineral water is harmful to the bloodformation process in the bone marrow.Photo: bone marrow

Summary of the harmful effects of demineralised or distilled water(Source: WHO 2004 paper, section 2)

Harmful effects of demineralised water Symptoms / Consequences

1. Upset the balance of minerals andwater content in the body. Negativelyaffect the metabolic equilibrium ofthe body in general.

Reduce water content inside bodycells, while increasing water level inthe extra-cellular fluid and bloodplasma.

More loss of minerals through urine,including sodium, potassium,chloride, calcium and magnesiumions.

Negatively affect the functionalactivity of some hormones that aredependent on proper body watermanagement.

Increase diuresis (i.e. increases thevolume and frequency of urination) almostby 20%.

Mild cases: tiredness, weakness,headache

More severe cases: muscular cramps,impaired heart rate

Severe acute damage in water intoxication(hyponatremic shock) or delirium (i.emental confusion) : brain oedema,convulsions, metabolic acidosis

2. Zero or very low intake of calciumand magnesium from the low-mineralwater.

Low calcium intake from water:

Enhanced decalcification of bone tissue

Reduced plasma concentrations of

calcium and phosphorus

Higher risks of bone fracture in childrenand certain neurodegenerative diseases

Pre-term birth and low birth weightLow magnesium intake from water:

Decreased activity of certain enzymes(e.g. alkaline phosphatase)

Increased morbidity (rate of diseases)

Increased mortality (death rate) fromcardiovascular diseases

Higher risks of neuronal (ie. nerve cell)diseases

Pregnancy disorders (e.g. preeclampsia,

i.e. high blood pressure and presence ofprotein in urine)

More prone to some types of cancer

3. Zero or very low intake of otheressential elements andmicroelements that are normallypresent in natural water sources.

In laboratory rats, this would result inmuch lower levels of microelements inmuscular tissue

Have negative effect on the bloodformation process.




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Both calcium and magnesium are importantfor contraction of muscles, including thosein the heart and around blood vessels.Photo: smooth muscle cells

Low-mineral water used for irrigation isharmful to crops. Tomatoes, basil andcertain species of flower are particularlysusceptible.

4. High loss of calcium, magnesiumand other essential elements in foodprepared with low-mineral water.

Result in marked deficiency in total intake ofminerals and some essential elements:

Up to 60% for magnesium and calcium

Even more for other microelements (e.g.66% for copper, 70% for manganese, 86%for cobalt)

5. Increased risks of toxic metals orother substances leached from thewater pipe, storage tank or watercontainer.

Higher risks of chemical poisoning andheavy metal poisoning (e.g. lead poisoning).

Research on harmful effects of low-mineral water to human populations and to crops

In recent epidemiological studies among Russian populations, those supplied with low-mineral water suffered from higher risks of hypertension, coronary heart diseases,gastric and duodenal ulcers, chronic gastritis, goiter, pregnancy complications, andseveral types of complications in newborns and infants (including jaundice, anemia,fractures and growth disorders). (Source: Note 1; WHO 2004 paper - section 2.3)

Similar results were found in another epidemiological study in the Ust-llim region ofRussia conducted in 1992. People in two areas were supplied with either low-mineral orhigh-mineral water. This study focused on the morbidity (rate of diseases) and physicaldevelopment of 7,658 adults, 562 children, 1,582 pregnant women and their newborns.(More detail: Note 2; WHO 2004 paper - section 2.3)

Researchers in Israel discovered that low-mineral water used for agricultural irrigation

is harmful to crops. Insufficient calcium results in physiological defects, whilemagnesium shortage damages plant development. The harmful effects to crops such astomatoes, basil and certain species of flower are particularly significant. Israel is aworld pioneer in using desalinated water in farming. (Related News: Nov 6, 2007)

Water plays an important role incommunication between body cells. Thewater molecules within living cells are

arranged in highly structured clusters ofvarious intermolecular conformations.

The core of the DNA double helix of eachcell contains a column of water clusters.

Why body water management is critical to health: Important role of water in cell communications

Water is the universal medium for all biological activity. Nearly two-thirds of the humanbody and one-half of each of our organs are made up of water by volume. This amountsto around 10 gallons of water in an adult.

The water within living cells is highly structured, arranged in various intermolecularconformations held together by extensive hydrogen bonding networks. The structuringof cellular water is critical to the healthy chemical functioning of the cell.

The cells of the human body communicate with one another by sending and receivingelectromagnetic signals. This signal transduction was facilitated by the clustered or"ringed" water that is present in the cells of all living things. (Source and more info )

For example, the DNA in each human cell is constantly transmitting information atlightening speed via resonant frequencies. Interestingly, the core of each DNA doublehelix is a column of water clusters. In addition, copious amount of water is organized inmultiple layers at the surface of intracellular structural proteins and membranes.

As water plays an active role in cell communication, any upset of water balance insideand outside the body cells will affect thousands of metabolic functions, as well as theequilibrium health of body tissues and organs.Importance of calcium and magnesium in cell communications and biochemicalreactions

Calcium is an important component of bones and teeth. Calcium also plays animportant role in the transmission of information (electro-chemical signals) within bodycells, contraction of the heart and other muscles, coagulation of blood etc.

Magnesium acts as a cofactor and activator of more than 300 enzymatic reactions inour body. These include transportation of important electrolytes (e.g. sodium,potassium, calcium) through membranes, conversion of body sugar into energy form(ie. glycolysis and ATP metabolism), synthesis of proteins and nucleic acids,neuromuscular excitability and muscle contraction.Why it is important to drink water that contains other essential elements andmicroelements

Natural water sources usually contain small quantities of some essential elements andmicro-elements, including copper, manganese, cobalt, iodide, molybdenum and zincetc. The essential elements and micro-elements in water usually exist as free ions.Therefore they are more easily absorbed from water compared to food, where they aremostly bound to other substances.




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Using distilled or demineralised water toprepare food will result in substantial lossof nutrients.

Since the modern diet quite often do not provide adequate minerals and microelements,the lack of such elements in drinking water may have a significant impact on health.Previous studies with rats showed that a variation in the intake of microelements fromdrinking water was associated with up to 6-fold differences in their content in musculartissue. (Source: WHO 2004 paper - section 2.3)

Some brands of bottled water are produced by demineralising fresh water (e.g. bydistillation or reverse osmosis), and then add back certain minerals for desirable taste.However, such water may still lack other essential elements and micro-elements thatare normally present in natural water sources.

Mountain climbers who prepare their drinkswith melted snow may experience acute

water intoxication, triggered by rapid intakeof a lot of low-mineral water after intensephysical exercise.

It is dangerous to prepare milk or drinks forinfants with distilled or demineralisedwater. Severe acute water intoxication may

occur.

Danger of using low-mineral or distilled water to prepare food

When demineralised or distilled water is used for cooking food, it will result insubstantial losses of all essential elements from food (e.g. vegetables, meat andcereals). For examples, up to 60% loss for magnesium and calcium, 66% for copper,70% for manganese, and 86% for cobalt. (Source: Note 3; WHO 2004 paper section 2.4)

Since most nutrients are absorbed from food, regular use of demineralised or distilledwater for cooking may be detrimental because of marked deficiency in certain essentialelements.Danger of acute water intoxication by demineralised or distilled water

Consumers who drink demineralised or distilled water regularly may experienceprogressive negative impact on health, possibly without any noticeable symptoms over

the years. But severe acute damages of water intoxication (also called hyponatremicshock) or delirium (i.e mental confusion) may occur following intense physical effortsand rapid intake of several litres of low-mineral water, e.g. mountain climbers whoprepare their drinks with melted snow. (Source: Note 4, WHO 2004 paper section 2.1)

Several cases of acute water intoxication were reported in infants whose drinks wereprepared with distilled or low-mineral bottled water. The symptoms included brainoedema, convulsions and metabolic acidosis. (Source: Centre for Disease Control andPrevention, USA, 1994)

(Remark: Metabolic acidosis is a medical problem due to disturbance in the body'sacid-base balance. This leads to excessive acidity of the blood (with pH value less than7.35). Severe metabolic acidosis may lead to coma or death. In some situations,metabolic acidosis can be a mild, chronic condition, with symptoms such as chest pain,palpitations, headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, muscle weakness and bonepains etc.)

Use reusable water bottles to bring filteredtap water to school or to work. It is good forhealth, cost saving and environmentalfriendly.

Distilled water, Demineralised water and related water treatment systems- Unregulated problematic products that result in huge health care costs

In the past three decades, the World Health Organisation (WHO) had issued a number ofpublications on the health risks of demineralised water (Note 5). The German Societyfor Nutrition also warned the public against drinking distilled water. (Note 6, 1999)

However, despite the seriously of the long term harm of drinking demineralised ordistilled water, and the large number of population affected, no country has issued anyregulation to prevent the sale or marketing of demineralised / distilled water and relatedwater treatment systems intended for regular consumption.

Nor is there any regulation on labeling of the bottled distilled water to warn the publicagainst the potential health risks, especially if used for cooking food or preparing infantdrinks. Only a few EU member states have included calcium, magnesium or waterhardness into their national regulations of tap water supplies as a binding requirement.But these regulations do not cover the bottled drinking water for sale, or water filtration

systems.As water contributes to over 60% of the body mass by volume, regular intake of grosslyinferior demineralised or distilled water will have significant negative impact on health,hence creating a much heavier burden on the health care costs.

To protect the general public from the pertinent harm, it is impertinent to review thepolicies and regulations on demineralised water for regular consumption.

Stop drinking distilled or demineralised water

For your own health, stop drinking distilled or demineralised water. If you are living in aregion of the world where tap water from natural water sources is readily available, a




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Water in nature tastes better and is morethirst-quenching than distilled ordemineralised water. That's what all otherliving creatures on earth drink.

much better alternative is to take water from the tap. An effective water filtration systemcan be installed at home or in the office to remove chlorine, heavy metals and othermajor contaminants from the tap water.

If a water filtration system is not available in your office, simply use a reusable waterbottle to take some water from home. It will also drastically reduce the enormousamount of plastic waste from packaging bottled water that goes to the landfill eachyear.

Just a small change in habit will make a big difference - to your health, your wallet, andthe environment.

Related Articles: Bottled water is the newest public enemy - in terms of health, costs,environmental friendliness and global warming

Drinking, bathing or swimming in chlorinated water is linked to higherrisks of bladder cancer

Caffeine causes long-lasting stress, anxiety, headache, sleepdisturbance etc.

Sugary soft drinks are linked to mental problems, pancreatic cancer,and cause weaker bones (osteoporosis) in women

Other Problematic Products

Footnotes:

Note 1 : Mudryi, I.V. (1999) Effects of the mineral composition of drinking water on thepopulation's health (review). (In Russian.) Gig. Sanit. No.1/1999 (volume notgiven), 15-18.

Note 2 : Lutai, G.F. (1992) Chemical composition of drinking water and the health ofpopulation. (In Russian.) Gig. Sanit. No. 1/1992 (volume not given), 13-15.

Note 3 : WHO (1978) How trace elements in water contribute to health.WHO Chronicle32, 382-385.

Haring, B.S.A. and Van Delft, W. (1981) Changes in the mineral composition offood as a result of cooking in hard and soft waters.Arch. Environ. Health36, 33-35.

Oh, C.K., Lcker, P.W., Wetzelsberger, N. and Kuhlmann, F. (1986) Thedetermination of magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium in assortedfoods with special attention to the loss of electrolytes after various forms offood preparations. Mag.-Bull. 8, 297-302.

Durlach, J. (1988) The importance of magnesium in water. InMagnesium inClinical Practice (ed. J.Durlach), pp 221-222, John Libbey & Co Ltd, London.

Note 4 : Basnyat, B., Sleggs, J. and Spinger, M. (2000) Seizures and delirium in atrekker: the consequences of excessive water drinking?Wilderness Environ.Med. 11, 69-70.

Note 5 : WHO (1978) How trace elements in water contribute to health.WHO Chronicle32, 382-385.

WHO (1979) Health effects of the removal of substances occurring naturally indrinking water, with special reference to demineralized and desalinated water.Report on a working group (Brussels, 20-23 March 1978). EURO Reports andStudies 16. World Health Organisation, Copenhagen.

WHO (1980) Guidelines on health aspects of water desalination. ETS/80.4.World Health Organisation, Geneva.

WHO (1996) Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality. 2nd edn, vol. 2, HealthCriteria and Other Supporting Information. pp 237-240. World HealthOrganisation, Geneva.

WHO (2004)Health Risks from Drinking Demineralised Water.F. Kozisek,

World Health Organisation, Geneva.Note 6 : DgfE (Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Ernhrung) (1993) Drink distilled water? (In

German.) Med.Mo. Pharm. 16, 146.


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