Water is a vital component of our lives; after all, an adult human being is made up of 60% water. We use water in everything we do—from hydration to bathing to cooking—it’s an essential part of our daily lives. Have you considered how the minerals in water may be affecting your personal health and beauty? You’ve likely heard the term ‘hard water’ but what does it mean and why should you be concerned? Water hardness, in simple terms, is the dissolved calcium and magnesium in water.

The water that runs most homes and buildings have varying levels of hardness based on calcium carbonate concentration. In general, drinking hard water is safe and in fact, could actually be helpful in fulfilling your dietary needs of essential minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. However, while there may be a few benefits to drinking hard water, you might actually be better off by installing a water softener or reverse osmosis system.

HOW CAN SOFTENED AND PURIFIED WATER IMPROVE YOUR FOOD AND BEVERAGES?

There is nothing more frustrating than taking the time to prepare a nice meal and have the taste tainted by bad water. The impurities in water supplies can have a massive impact on the food you prepare, whether you are boiling pasta, baking bread, or simply rinsing ingredients. A water softener can provide improved water for cooking, washing fruits and vegetables and brewing coffees and teas.

A purified reverse osmosis system can also improve the water used for drinking and cooking. In addition to a membrane that filters contaminants, reverse osmosis systems send your drinking water through carbon filters before it comes out of the tap, removing any lingering tastes and odors. Now that your water no longer contains contaminants, such as the chlorine found in municipal water supplies, you’re left with clean and refreshing water. One of the best aspects of reverse osmosis drinking water is how great it tastes. Even a simple cup of tea or coffee tastes better when it’s made with reverse osmosis water.

HOW DOES HARD WATER AFFECT YOUR SKIN AND HAIR?

Bathing and washing in hard water for an extended period of time can have long-term effects on both your skin and your hair quality.

The most common effect of hard water on your skin is dryness. Hard water makes it difficult to rinse away soap from the surface of your skin, leaving your skin dry, clogging your pores and potentially irritated. If you have sensitive skin, psoriasis, or eczema, hard water can worsen conditions by drying out your skin even more.

The minerals present in hard water can make it difficult to achieve a thorough rinse, causing a buildup in your hair, which can leave behind residue. Hair can become dull, lifeless and harder to style. Installing a water softening system could go a long way toward keeping your hair bouncy and bright, and your skin soft and supple.

If you’re ready to see how a water softener or reverse osmosis system can affect your health and beauty, contact our Mid-MO Water Solutions experts today!