The effects of household water purification devices, which have seen increasing use in recent years, on water quality continue to be a subject of debate. Experts note that studies on water purification devices have revealed that beneficial minerals are completely or partially removed from drinking water, emphasizing that individuals who regularly consume this water, especially if they do not adequately obtain these minerals through their daily diet, are likely to experience various health problems in the long term.
Research Assistant Seda Kuşoğlu Gültekin from the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, pointing out that regular maintenance of household water purification devices and timely replacement of their filters are also crucial, stated, “Water obtained from a purification device that is not regularly maintained and whose filters are not changed on time cannot be expected to meet health standards.”
Research Assistant Seda Kuşoğlu Gültekin from Üsküdar University's Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics issued warnings about the effects of household water purification devices on water quality.
Purified water usage increasing in recent years
Research Assistant Seda Kuşoğlu Gültekin pointed out that the use of purified water has increased in recent years, stating, “There are many purification devices of different brands and features available to users in the market. A recent study has shown that these devices cause a decrease in the amount of minerals in the water. Minerals are essential molecules that cannot be produced by the human body and must be obtained daily through diet. These minerals, taken into the body through diet and water consumption, have critical roles in human metabolism. Studies conducted with water purification devices have revealed that these beneficial minerals are completely or partially removed from drinking water. Individuals who regularly consume this water, especially if they do not adequately obtain these minerals through their daily diet, are likely to experience various health problems in the long term.”
Minerals are vital molecules that must be obtained externally…
Research Assistant Seda Kuşoğlu Gültekin, stating that minerals have various important roles for human health, noted the following:
“Various factors such as a person's gender, age, pregnancy status, and illnesses affect daily mineral requirements. Minerals are of great importance for ensuring and maintaining homeostasis, which is the body's internal balance. Minerals obtained through daily diet undertake critical roles in various metabolic processes. Minerals entering the body via the digestive system are transported through the blood to different tissues, playing a role in various metabolic activities such as the preservation of tooth and bone structure, muscle contraction, and nervous transmission. Long-term insufficient intake of minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium can lead to fatigue, muscle cramps, and weakening of teeth and bones. More serious health problems can be observed in individuals during developmental stages or during pregnancy. Sodium, on the other hand, works with potassium to regulate the body's water balance and is an electrolyte. This fluid balance is critically important for the nervous and muscular systems. Like other minerals, sodium and calcium cannot be produced by the body and must be obtained externally through daily diet.”
Regular maintenance of water purification devices should be performed
Seda Kuşoğlu Gültekin, pointing out that in addition to the reduction in the mineral content of purified water, regular maintenance of household water purification devices and timely replacement of their filters are also important issues, stated, “Water obtained from a purification device that is not regularly maintained and whose filters are not changed on time cannot be expected to meet health standards. However, natural spring waters that reach the consumer after undergoing necessary processes such as filtration and chlorination are generally considered safe for consumption.”
Alternative methods also cause a reduction in minerals found in water
Seda Kuşoğlu Gültekin stated that reverse osmosis, an alternative method, is a process where a semi-permeable membrane is used to remove larger particulate contaminants like fluoride and bacteria through pressure. She added, “In the ion exchange method, solid resins and different electrolyte solutions are used to remove bacteria, dissolved solids, and various minerals that cause changes in the water's taste. In both methods, regular maintenance and cleaning of the devices affect the quality of the water obtained, and it is known that they also cause a reduction in the minerals present in the water, as is the case with other methods.”
Mineral supplements should not be used unconsciously
Gültekin noted that both the deficiency and excess of minerals, which are vital for human health, can lead to various metabolic disorders, concluding, “Therefore, individuals unconsciously using mineral supplements beyond the daily required amounts can also cause different health problems.”