Health Benefits of Hard-Water.

Chemistry is not only curious about nature but helps us understand things that surround our environment. 

One of our students recently asked about the hardness of water in relation to health being, and so I decided to share this interesting topic with you in today's blog.  

Water (H₂O) is an integral part of our life, and we often prefer to drink soft-water(ruwan-dadi), perhaps it tastes better to our mouth, huh?. We often run-away from drinking hard-water(ruwan-zartsi), in fact, we hardly use it for our day-to-day activities, unless if we have no other option. 

Anyway, does hard-water have any health implications or benefits?

The hardness of water is its inability to form lather with soap readily and it is caused temporarily by either the presence of calcium hydrogen trioxocarbonate(IV) or Magnesium hydrogen trioxocarbonate (IV) and permanently by the presence of Calcium or Magnesium ions in the form of sulphates (soluble) and chlorides. Example: Calcium tetraoxosulphate(VI).

Despite its industrial disadvantage, the hardness of water is however advantageous in relation to Health being in the following ways;

1. The calcium salts (or ions) present in the water, help animals (human beings inclusive) to maintain their dietary intakes thereby building strong teeth and bones. 

2. Pure water is tasteless or has an insipid taste but the salty taste of hard water due to the dissolved minerals in it makes it more pleasant for animals to drink which in turn helps them to improve health-wise as pointed out earlier. Therefore, the minerals in it serve as additives, thus increasing the rate of consumption of water in animals.

However, external application of hard-water, especially on the skin is associated with some health effects, such as skin irritation, and dry skin. 

Generally, the hardness of water has no health implications and if any, it is very insignificant.  In fact, hard water has no known adverse health effect (WHO).  

But remember, as a Chemist, watch out for the concentration! A high concentration of anything can be a problem even if it is not. That is the bottom line. 

You may wish to go through this journal article for more information. 

We hope that you now have a clear understanding of hardness of water in relation to Health being!

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