Water jugs and water filters, how important are they?

05/01/2018

In recent years, the need for water filters has been increased. Water filters are available in various forms and technologies and they provide clean water, free from toxins. But how necessary are they?

The importance of water

   Water is one of the most important elements for the survival and health. The 70% of the human body consists of water, making it necessary for cell and the proper functioning of metabolism. Specifically, water is used for

  • maintaining body temperature
  • hydration of tissues, organs and skin
  • transfer of nutrients
  • elimination of toxic substances

   The purity of the water we drink and use for cooking and washing is very important. The reason is that in the water there may be dissolved substances, and toxins, which gradually they accumulate in the tissues, causing toxification and damage to the cells.

The need for water filters

   Water filters have come to improve the quality and nutritional value of potable water. Although water is chlorinated in order to protect the consumers, chlorine is not suitable for health at high concentrations. In addition, water pipes and water supply systems are not new, resulting in water contamination with toxins, metals and substances harmful to health.

 Water filters, depending on the filtration mechanism they use, can:

  • remove dirt and toxins
  • reduce the flavor and odor of chlorine
  • remove insecticides, viruses and microbes
  • remove heavy metals

Water filter

Carbon filters

Carbon is an organic element derived either from rocks (inorganic origin) or from plants (organic origin). Carbon filtering is a method of filtering that uses activated carbon to remove contaminants and impurities, using chemical adsorption. Activated carbon because of its large absorption surface can adsorb several harmful compounds such as dirt, rust, insecticides and pesticides even chlorine. The activated carbon does not have the ability to remove water salts.

Reverse osmosis filters

In reverse osmosis filters there is the ability to remove salts that naturally present in the water as well as other impurities. Although salts are not harmful, they cause problems in the household appliances as well as in the water supply network. Usually, reverse osmosis filters also have a second phase of filtering with activated carbon, where the water is further filtered for better cleaning.

Enrichment filters

Some water filters contain several rocks, which after water purification with activated carbon or even reverse osmosis, re-enrich the water with minerals, like electrolytes and trace elements (calcium, chromium, copper, germanium, iron, iodine, magnesium, manganese, selenium, zinc, silicon etc).

Efficiency of water filters

The effectiveness of water filters is determined by two main factors

  • the size of the filter and its ability to retain impurities
  • the flow rate of water (how quickly the water is filtered through the filter)

 The filters on the water taps, due to their small surface area and high flow rate, do not provide effective water filtration.

  In Vita4you you can find a wide selection of water filters and jugs.

Iro Gounitsioti

Msc, Bsc Clinical Dietitian - Nutritionist specialized in obesity, diabetes management, athletic nutrition as well as in nutritional supplements.

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Disclaimer

The content of this blogspot is not and can not be considered as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All information is provided to readers solely for informational purposes. There is no intention to substitute this content for personalized medical advice, diagnosis, prognosis or treatment.

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