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The dangers of drinking raw water

In recent months it has become fashionable to drink raw water. A trend that began in the United States and is gradually spreading to the entire world. Far from being something typical of a few people, there are already some brands that sell water that has been obtained directly from a spring , which is packaged and distributed without any type of chemical treatment or filtration; the price of the bottle in some cases exceeds fifteen euros.

Those who market raw water point out that it has a wide range of benefits for health, as well as for the skin: it provides hydration, reduces wrinkles, strengthens the joints… However, the reality is quite different. Untreated water can contain bacteria that cause various digestive problems , such as diarrhea, which can be fatal in certain population groups.

What is raw water?

Raw water, also called raw water , is that which has not been subjected to any analysis process or has received any treatment . Therefore, it is not considered potable or suitable for human consumption.

It is the type of water found in natural reserves , such as springs for example; also the one that is collected from the rain. Although its appearance is pure and crystalline, it can contain bacteria, minerals, clay remains …

Those who join the fashion of drinking raw water, do so for various reasons. One of the most frequent is that they believe that it is purer and more natural than the one that has been treated; and, therefore, they consider it to be healthier. Of course, there are also those who do it for conspiracy theories, since they believe that governments dissolve chemical substances in drinking water in order to control the population.

The lies of raw water

Below we have collected what the brands that sell raw water say to convince the population of its consumption.

  • Energy and peace: one of the great lies in relation to this type of water is that, as it comes directly from nature and has not been treated, it provides a lot of energy and peace, both physically and mentally.
  • Probiotics: According to the brands that market this water, it has a total of five probiotics that the human body cannot obtain in any other way. Fake.
  • Water purification is harmful: the truth is that, far from being harmful, the treatments currently used to purify water prevent it from transmitting diseases such as diarrhea, cholera or yellow fever , among others.

Is it dangerous to drink raw water?

Spring water, although at first glance it seems crystal clear or pure, can be contaminated with parasites, viruses or bacteria of all kinds, which can be harmful to health. Experts warn that any water that is not filtered poses a risk.

Here are some of the diseases that recur more frequently due to the consumption of contaminated water.

Anger

An acute diarrheal disorder that requires urgent medical attention. Every year about 100,000 people die from this disorder worldwide, especially in underdeveloped countries.

The first symptoms appear after the consumption of contaminated water occurs between one and five days later. It is an asymptomatic disorder in its initial stages; As the disease progresses, patients develop acute watery diarrhea with severe dehydration .

You may also be interested in:   How much water should we drink per day?

Dysentery

Dysentery is a gastrointestinal disorder characterized by inflammation of the intestines. The main symptoms are abdominal pain and cramps, watery diarrhea, and, in the most severe cases, bloody stools .

The infection can be transmitted through consumption of contaminated food or water, as well as from person to person.

Hepatitis A

The hepatitis A can be contracted from contaminated drinking water ; It can also be caused by other causes, such as having sex with an infected person. This disorder is characterized by inflammation of the liver, and the symptoms are very similar to those of the flu ; some patients also have jaundice .

Typhoid fever

The typhoid fever is spread through contaminated water and food, as well as through contact with an infected person. The most frequent recurring signs are : severe headache, high fever, abdominal pain, and constipation or diarrhea.

It is currently a rare disease in developed countries. However, it continues to be a serious threat to health, especially in underdeveloped countries.

Contaminated drinking water

As the World Health Organization (WHO) points out, even with drinking water there are cases of contamination. It is estimated that this type of water causes about half a million deaths annually from diarrhea , especially in underdeveloped countries.

Keep in mind that drinking water has undergone a sterilization and filtering process. Thus, the damage that raw water can cause is much greater.

In addition to potential contamination from bacteria, viruses, or parasites , raw water can also be contaminated by chemicals naturally found in soil, such as arsenic and radon.

To all this must be added that in many cases spring water is in contact with animals, who can carry parasites such as Giardia or Cryptosporidium, which can give rise to different diseases.

Shortage of drinking water in the world

Today, the shortage of drinking water and sanitation is one of the main causes of disease globally. Health authorities warn that 16% of people do not have access to drinking water.

The mortality rate in the infant population is especially high in underdeveloped countries . Every day more than four thousand children die because they lack drinking water. In these countries, more than 90% of deaths due to diarrhea are caused by unsafe water and poor hygiene.

Conclution

Health authorities recommend avoiding the consumption of water from natural sources, and insist on the need to opt for water that has been filtered and disinfected .

At the moment this dangerous fashion is difficult to reach Spain in the form of brands that sell raw water. And it is that, although the commercialization of spring water is allowed, it is an essential condition that it passes a series of sanitary safety tests. However, there are already those who have opted for the consumption of raw water individually.

We hope that the health authorities will intervene and put an end to this dangerous practice, prohibiting the commercialization of raw water.

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Hello Readers, I am Nikki Bella a Psychology student. I have always been concerned about human behavior and the mental processes that lead us to act and think the way we do. My collaboration as an editor in the psychology area of ​​Well Being Pole has allowed me to investigate further and expand my knowledge in the field of mental health; I have also acquired great knowledge about physical health and well-being, two fundamental bases that are directly related and are part of all mental health.

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