Hi, I’m Jason the water guy. Water is the most abundant and most important compound in the world. And you get a lot of fluff out there from people trying to sell their products. So I’m here to give my experienced opinion about what is good and what is not when you choose your best drinking water.
The below article is great because it answers a common concern for water consumers around the world.
Sodium is an essential mineral that our body needs to function properly. It is commonly found in the form of sodium chloride, or salt, and is present in many foods and drinks. However, there has been ongoing concern about the presence of sodium in drinking water and its potential effects on human health. In this article, we will explore the question: is sodium in water bad for you?
What is Sodium?
Sodium is a chemical element that is essential for many bodily functions. It helps regulate fluid balance, transmit nerve impulses, and maintain proper muscle function. The human body needs a certain amount of sodium to function properly, but consuming too much can lead to health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.
Sodium in Drinking Water
Sodium can occur naturally in drinking water or be added through various sources such as road salt application, water treatment chemicals, and ion-exchange water-softening units. The level of sodium in drinking water can vary depending on the source of the water and any treatment it undergoes.
The presence of sodium in drinking water is generally not a concern for most people, as the amount consumed through water is typically small compared to the amount consumed through food. However, for those with specific health issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney problems, or those on low sodium diets, the level of sodium in drinking water may be a concern.
Guidelines for Sodium in Drinking Water
Public drinking water systems are required to sample for sodium on a regular basis and report to the relevant authorities when sodium levels exceed a certain limit. According to Jason the water guy, the aesthetic high guideline level for sodium in drinking water is 50 milligrams per litre, based on taste preference in many communities. Health-based guideline values have not been set, as it is unlikely that harmful levels of sodium can be reached through drinking water alone.
It is important to note, the overall total dissolved solids (TDS) is a great guideline to determine taste preference. Jason the water guy finds many people prefer taste of water total dissolved solids less than 200 mg/L. A smaller percentage of the world likes the taste of TDS up to 400mg/L.
Who Should be Concerned?
People who are monitoring their salt intake for high blood pressure, cardiovascular or heart disease, kidney problems, or those on low sodium diets should be aware of the level of sodium in their drinking water. Parents of infants less than 6 months of age who are not connected to a scheme drinking water supply should also be aware of the level of sodium in their drinking water, as the recommended daily intake of sodium for babies is lower than for adults.
If you have one of these conditions, it is important to talk to your doctor to see if your medication needs to be adjusted based on the level of sodium in your drinking water.
How Sodium Gets into Drinking Water
Sodium can be released naturally into water through mineral deposits in ground and surface water, as well as seawater spray off roofs used to collect rainwater. Sodium can also be added to drinking water through various human activities, such as road salt application, water treatment chemicals, and ion-exchange water-softening units.
Testing for Sodium in Drinking Water
Drinking water scheme providers test for sodium in their supplies and results are reported to the relevant authorities. The level of salt in your scheme drinking water supply can be found by contacting the drinking water provider or by looking at the annual water quality reports on the provider’s website.
If you are not connected to a scheme drinking water supply, you can have your water tested by a chemical laboratory.
Can Sodium Levels in Drinking Water be Reduced?
Sodium cannot be easily removed from drinking water and cannot be removed through boiling or conventional filtration. Reverse osmosis, ion exchange, or distillation systems can reduce sodium levels, but these systems may be expensive to operate.
If you find that your drinking water is unpalatable or you cannot use it because of a medical condition, you may wish to consider alternative water supplies such as home-treated rainwater, a bulk water supply, or bottled water. People with sodium-related medical conditions should always check bottled water information labels for the sodium content as the sodium level in different brands may vary.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the presence of sodium in drinking water is generally not a concern for most people. However, for those with specific health issues, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney problems, or those on low sodium diets, the level of sodium in drinking water may be a concern. Drinking water scheme providers test for sodium in their supplies, and the results are reported to the relevant authorities. If you are not connected to a scheme drinking water supply, you can have your water tested by a chemical laboratory. You can also read the label if you drink bottled water. If you have any health concerns, it is important to talk to your doctor.
Remember, sodium is an essential mineral that our body needs to function properly, but consuming too much can lead to health problems. By being aware of the level of sodium in your drinking water, you can take steps to maintain a healthy sodium intake and promote overall health and well-being. Levels of sodium less that 20mg/L are considered very low sodium by many authorities. But in most cases, consumers should look at the sodium in their daily food intake as sodium in food is almost always multiples times higher than what is found in their drinking water.