Hard Water Vs. Soft Water And Their Impact On Your Health | American Home Water & Air (2024)

FAQs

Which is considered to be better for health hard water or soft water? ›

There is no clear consensus on whether hard water or soft water is better for drinking, but soft water is gentler on the skin and hair. Testing water quality can help determine if it is hard or soft. And water softeners or filters can be used to alter water hardness based on personal preference or specific needs.

Hard water is water with excess calcium and magnesium, while soft water is free from these harsh minerals that can damage your home and body. It is gentle, with calcium and magnesium removed through water softener systems.

The bottom line. Most people can safely drink hard or soft water with no side effects.

The process of water softening can cause water to have an elevated amount of sodium. While most soft water is perfectly safe to drink, elevated sodium levels may not be ideal for people with high blood pressure. But even for those with health concerns, there is a way to make softened water drinkable.

Hard water minerals will also dry out your skin by upsetting your natural PH balance. Additionally, those minerals can clog pores and lead to irritation. Washing your body with soap in hard water will leave behind a thin film of soap after your shower is over, further drying out your skin.

Summary. The difference in hard water and soft water is the amount of sodium within it. Soft water is safe to drink as the amount of sodium added is very small.

- Some water softening systems replace calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions. This can increase the sodium content of the water. High sodium intake is a concern for individuals on sodium-restricted diets, such as those with hypertension or certain cardiovascular conditions.

Although hard water does not have any direct health effects, you might want to consider the additional magnesium and calcium intake in your diet. Studies have found that consuming hard water could lead to irregular bowel movements.

Does soft water affect blood pressure? ›

Water softeners contain sodium to assist with filtration. The water shouldn't taste salty, but it can raise your blood pressure. 1 Exactly how much sodium is in softened water depends on how hard the water is to start.

Digestive issues:

These issues can include bloating, gas, and stomach discomfort. As per a study, excess calcium present in hard water may cause kidneys to work harder to filter, causing stomach upset, nausea, and constipation.

Levels of hard water can also vary by house within the same neighborhood, so it's important to get it checked. Hard water can ultimately cause build-up hidden inside of pipes and appliances that use water like a dishwasher and faucets. The build-up can reduce the flow of water and efficiency.

Some of this content, like calcium and magnesium, are hard minerals that not only make soap less effective. They also gradually lead to limescale buildup, which, when it occurs within pipes, reduces water pressure and flow, and only gets worse over time.

The calcium and magnesium particles in hard water are abrasive too, which makes people worry that hard water will also damage their teeth. Unless your water is exceptionally hard, the minerals in your water will not make a noticeable difference when brushing your teeth.

Studies have generally found hard water to have positive effects on the health of its drinkers. Several studies have reported that calcium and magnesium in drinking water have a dose-dependent protective effect when it comes to cardiovascular disease.

But hard water has a long list of problems attached to it. Disadvantages of hardness include the formation of soap scum, cloud-like stains, clogged pipes, dry skin and hair, faded and brittle laundry, and corrosion and deteriorated appliances.

A water softener can resolve this problem. The membrane manufacturers will often specify what the maximum hardness concentration can be, but the industry rule of thumb is that hardness should not exceed 120 to 170 mg/L (7 to 10 grains per gallon).