Is there any health benefit to drinking hard water, given its higher mineral content?
Years ago it was postulated that hard water was more healthy than soft water in prevention of bone disorders, heart disease, tooth decay and possibly kidney complications. However, I know of no large trials or surveys that show people living in hard water areas have less illness than those in soft water areas. The minerals we take in while eating would theoretically compensate for any difference found in the water supply. I’m very willing to be disproved, however. We are in a hard water area, and have a high heart disease incidence: we used to live in a soft water area with low levels of heart disease. The reason for the difference almost certainly lies in social and economic circumstances and eating habits, rather than the water. Q: I am 57 with chronic asthma, for which I take drugs. I have constant minor muscle aches and stiffness, which can make walking – my only realistic form of exercise – uncomfortable. I don’t want to bother my GP for every little twinge, so what level of bodil
