The Raw Water Fad; Is It Really As Safe As Originally Thought?

Raw water has quickly become a trending topic of conversation and debate. Raw water is natural water from rain, ground, springs, lakes, and rivers that have not been treated with the use of chemicals and therefore has not had any of its minerals, bacteria, or parasites removed. It undergoes purification processes such as reverse osmosis, conventional treatment, ultrafiltration, biofilm membrane filtration, and boiling. Although the water may contain many probiotics and minerals beneficial to health, there is still the concern that raw water can be contaminated with pollutants. Is raw water beneficial for health, or another get-rich-quick capitalist scheme? Continue reading to find out more.

Potential Benefits

Raw water is still under much speculation and debate. However, there are some known beneficial qualities of raw water such as the probiotics, minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium and natural-occurring silica. Silica benefits the body by keeping skin hydrated and soft, reducing wrinkles and fine lines, promoting healthy hair growth, building stronger and healthier nails, and increasing strength and flexibility of joints.

Probiotics are microorganisms that when ingested can offer many health benefits. Probiotics help alleviate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and diarrhea caused by antibiotics, viruses, bacteria, or parasites. They also benefit skin conditions, oral health, and help to prevent colds and allergies.

Continue reading to discover the potential risks of raw water.

Potential Risks

Although raw water is not chemically treated and is not contained in a BPA plastic water bottle, there are still some risks individuals should know about before gulping down a half gallon of it. It may contain probiotics and minerals beneficial to one's health, but the possibilities of harmful bacteria and parasites are just as present. Treating water with chemicals is intended to remove harmful bacteria that can cause sickness or diseases like E.coli, giardia, cholera, hepatitis A, and salmonella. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) has said individuals can contract these bacteria through untreated or improperly treated water.

Now that you know some of the potential risks, keep reading to learn about the alternatives to raw water.