The Effects of Reverse Osmosis Water on Human Health
Reverse osmosis technology is widely used in water-scarce and water-poor regions worldwide due to its efficient removal of pollutants. For example, countries like Israel and the UAE use it for seawater desalination to address drinking water shortages.
However, the impact of the low-mineral water produced by this technology on human health remains controversial in the academic community.
What are the points of contention regarding low-mineral water?
The World Health Organization (WHO) has explicitly warned in its report "Nutrition in Drinking Water" that long-term consumption of low-mineral water produced by reverse osmosis (RO) may pose health risks. Studies have shown that this type of water can disrupt the body's electrolyte balance, leading to increased loss of elements such as sodium and potassium, an average increase in urine volume of 20%, and may also cause problems such as changes in red blood cell morphology and abnormal thyroid hormone secretion. Population studies in the Czech Republic and Slovakia have also shown that after large-scale use of RO systems, some residents experienced magnesium deficiency symptoms in the short term, such as fatigue and muscle cramps.
The potential harm from mineral loss is at the heart of the controversy. RO technology removes 99% of calcium and magnesium, while the absorption efficiency of minerals in water is far higher than that in food. Multiple epidemiological studies in Europe and America have found that people who drink low-magnesium soft water have a significantly higher incidence of cardiovascular disease than those who drink hard water. In Okinawa, Japan, a longevity village, the magnesium content in the drinking water reaches 30 mg/L, yet the incidence of cardiovascular disease is only one-third of the national average, confirming the importance of minerals in drinking water.
Undeniably, RO technology has significant advantages in pollution control. The US NSF/ANSI 58-2022 standard strengthens the requirements for the removal of heavy metals such as arsenic and lead, as well as PFAS compounds, by RO systems, achieving a removal rate of over 95%, effectively mitigating the risk of poisoning in heavily polluted areas. However, overseas studies have also found that RO water with low osmotic properties may increase the absorption rate of fat-soluble pollutants in the intestines and reduce the enzyme activity that metabolizes harmful substances in the human body.
In conclusion, RO water is neither absolutely healthy nor harmful. In areas with severe water pollution, it is an effective means of ensuring drinking water safety; however, long-term consumption may lead to mineral deficiency, which can be addressed by combining it with natural mineral water or adjusting one's diet.
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