Friends who use kettles to boil water for drinking at home must have seen this phenomenon: it is very difficult to clean out scale in kettles that have been used for a long time. Many people are worried about "Will you get kidney stones if you drink water with scale for a long time?" Yesterday, this topic became a hot search on Weibo.
Let’s talk about it in detail today.
Drinking scale-laden water for a long time will prevent you from getting kidney stones
Scale is produced by the interaction of calcium, magnesium ions and alkalinity in the water during the water boiling process. The main components are calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide. There are many minerals naturally present in water, among which calcium and magnesium ions are the most abundant.
Generally speaking, the higher the content, the greater the hardness of the water, which is what we often call "hard water". When the hardness of water is higher than about 200 mg/L, it will cause scale to occur in water plants, water distribution systems, pipe networks, kettles, etc. The higher the temperature, the greater the scale content, which is why scale is more likely to occur after boiling water.
Water with scale is usually relatively hard, which is what we often call hard water. The main components of scale are actually calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide. These are common substances that are very safe and will not harm human health.
World Health Organization "Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality (Fourth Edition)"
In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO)'s latest "Drinking Water Quality Guidelines" clearly states that the concentration in drinking water is not sufficient to have an impact on health, so no limit is set.
There is currently no evidence that hard water causes stones or other health problems. on the contrary,If you drink less water and eat more meat, your risk of urinary tract stones will be higher.
Image source: pexels Photographer: Arnie Watkins
Hard water is harmless to the human body. Calcium and magnesium are both essential elements for the human body, and most people have low calcium and magnesium intakes. In this sense, water with high hardness can also replenish some minerals. Of course, it is far from enough for daily needs. The right way to supplement minerals is to eat a balanced diet.
However, water that is prone to scale usually doesn’t taste very good, which is why many southerners feel that Beijing’s tap water tastes bad after coming to Beijing. And it's easy to clean, and it can burn the kettle. If you don't like it, you can install a water softener at home, or drink purified water, mineral water or other water.
How to drink water to be healthier?
1. Drink an appropriate amount of water
my country's dietary guidelines recommend that ordinary adults drink 1500-1700 ml of water every day, of which about 800 ml can be obtained from food, so they still need to drink about 900 ml.
Image source: pixabay Photographer: jarmoluk
Of course, this is a recommended amount and you do not have to adhere to it. You can adjust it according to your own situation. For example, if it is summer, or you exercise a lot or sweat a lot, you should drink more; the air in the north is dry, you can also drink more water. People who work hard or stay outdoors get thirsty quickly and drink more, so they can drink more.
Some patients with chronic diseases pay attention to drinking more water. For example, patients with urinary tract stones, hyperuricemia, gout, and diabetes should drink more water to reduce the risk of disease.
2. Drink water in small amounts and frequently.
Don’t drink water when you feel thirsty. You should consciously drink water on your own initiative, in small amounts and often. Especially for the elderly who are not sensitive, they need to replenish water in time.
Drink a glass of water when you get up in the morning, and try not to drink too much water before going to bed at night to avoid waking up frequently.
3. In special circumstances, drink more water and choose electrolyte water appropriately.
People with strenuous exercise, high fever and diarrhea, urinary stones, hyperuricemia, gout, and diabetes should drink more water, and can choose electrolyte water under the guidance of a doctor or nutritionist. People who are active or working in high temperature (high temperature in summer) environment should drink more water. You can drink water, salt water or electrolyte water containing potassium, sodium, etc.
References
[1] Lu Jinsuo, Chen Cheng, Li Xiong, et al. Analysis of scale problems in drinking water [J]. China Water Supply and Drainage, 2019, 35(08): 15-19. DOI: 10.19853/j.zgjsps.1000-4602.2019.08.004.
[2] Hou Jian. Harmful metal elements in scale are harmful to health [J]. Metal World, 2009(02):70.
[3] Tang Qingguo, Wang Lijuan, Liang Jinsheng, et al. Research on the formation and change rules of scale crystals [J]. Journal of Artificial Crystallography, 2009, 38(03): 602-607.DOI: 10.16553/j.cnki.issn1000-985x.2009.03.041.
[4]WHO Drinking Water Quality Guidelines (Fourth Edition)
Planning and production
Author: Ruan Guangfeng, Deputy Director of Kexin Food and Health Information Exchange Center
Review丨Zhong Kai, researcher at National Food Safety Risk Assessment Center
Planning丨Lin Lin
Editor-in-Chief丨Jin Yufen