Yes, in nearly all cases, you can drink softened water, however, it is not recommended for those on a medically advised low sodium diet or for babies. Softened water is safe to drink, but these are a couple of precautionary exceptions which we will explore in this article.
Who Can’t Drink Softened Water?
As mentioned above, it is not recommended for babies to drink softened water, specifically when making up baby formula and for those aged six weeks and under. The slight addition of sodium used to soften the water may upset their natural balance due to their underdeveloped kidneys which could lead to dehydration. Baby formula has been created to have the exact nutrients for your child, so mixing it with softened water may disrupt this balance too.
Although the levels of sodium after water softening typically remain below 200 mg/l on average, it is recommended for those on a medically advised low sodium diet to avoid drinking softened water.
How Much Sodium is in Softened Water?
There is no definitive answer to this as it depends on how hard your water is, therefore, whereabouts you live. The harder your water is, the more salt is required to soften it and so the more sodium will be used.
Salt is not added directly to your water supply when using your water softener but the sodium within the salt is required for the chemical reaction to remove the calcium from your hard water. For reassurance, the amount of extra sodium in a cup of team using softened water is less than the amount of sodium you might add with a splash of milk.
Do I Need the Nutrients from Hard Water?
Another concern about drinking softened water is missing out on the nutrients in hard water: especially calcium and magnesium. Some recent studies have also linked living in soft water areas to an increased risk of vascular dementia, however, further studies are required. It is important to maintain the recommended amount of key minerals, especially magnesium which is linked to neurodevelopmental health, through your daily healthy, varied diet or supplements if required.
Adults aged 19-64 need 700mg of calcium a day, according to the NHS, and this can be found in dairy products, green leafy vegetables, soya products, nuts and fish where you eat the bones.
Men aged 19-64 need 300mg of magnesium a day and women within the same age group need 270mg, according to the NHS, which can be found in similar products to calcium as well as brown rice, bread and meat.
Alternatives to Drinking Softened Water
Even though it is safe to drink softened water, many prefer to continue to drink hard water, especially if this is something you are used to, as many prefer the taste. If you would still like the benefits of soft water throughout your home but would prefer not to drink it, an alternative is to fit a hard water drinking tap with a filter. It works by bypassing the water softener and filters the hard water, so you can keep drinking hard water without the impurities while maintaining naturally occurring minerals.
At PureSalt, we recommend using softened water for your hot drinks because it will protect your kettle and coffee machine from limescale buildup. Plus, once boiled, you can’t taste the difference between hard and soft water!
The experts here are always on-hand to answer your questions about water softener salt. Shop today or get in touch with us if you have any queries.
Written by PureSalt
PureSalt is the trading name for KindWater’s dedicated salt business. We are a leading national salt distributor, supplying thousands of tonnes of salt each year to businesses and homes.