Have you ever wondered how the hardness of your drinking water affects your overall health?  Let's take a closer look at some of the health issues linked to consuming water with high mineral content and the potential health benefits of installing a water-softening system.

The Potential Benefits of Water Softeners

Technically, hard water isn't believed to be harmful to your health. Drinking it has been linked to a number of pesky health effects, however. These problems can be greatly reduced by switching to soft water. Here are six potential health benefits of water-softening systems. 

1. They Help Improve Skin Conditions 

Whether you're considering installing a water softener in San Diego, Kansas City, or anywhere else in the country, a preexisting skin condition is one of the best reasons to consider doing so. Hard minerals can exacerbate skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema. Hard water has even been found to cause eczema in infants. 

The reason is that minerals like calcium and magnesium dry out the skin and scalp, leading to redness and itchiness. It also makes it more difficult to rinse soap, leading to product buildup on the skin. If you have sensitive skin, these minerals can cause even further irritation to the skin. 

Soft water can help reduce the symptoms you experience from these skin and scalp problems. 

2. They May Help Relieve Dandruff 

Do you suffer from dandruff? If so, it could be a result of the harder levels of water in your home. Aside from product buildup, dandruff from skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis of the scalp may also worsen. If you've tried all of the over-the-counter and prescription medicated dandruff shampoos with no relief, then a water softener might be what you need. 

3. They May Help Lower the Risk of Skin Infections

Another one of the health effects of hard water is potential skin infections. Since this type of water is more alkaline, it can change the pH of your skin, weakening it as a barrier. This can make way for harmful bacteria and other infections. 

4. They Might Reduce Kidney Stones

Some studies have found a link between hard water and kidney stones. Researchers found that urinary calcium increased by a whopping 50 percent in those who drank water that contained harder levels. Drinking soft water can help reduce calcium stone recurrence. 

5. They May Keep You Better Hydrated

Hydration is such an underlooked part of day to day wellness. Running dry makes all of your body systems work harder or fail faster. Getting your hydration and mineral levels up is also a huge part of at-home cleanes or inpatient detox. Hard water tends to have a very unpleasant taste. This may make you less likely to drink it. Soft water, on the other hand, tastes great. It's a lot easier to reach your daily water intake when your water actually tastes good. 

6. They Could Help Reduce Hair Loss 

Have you noticed that you've been losing a lot of hair lately? Although hair loss can have many causes, it's another potential effect of consuming water that has higher levels of hardness. This is because calcium and magnesium can cause hair breakage and damage to the follicles. Soft water can help prevent this problem and keep your locks looking long and lustrous. 

These are just six health benefits of water softeners. Installing a water purification system in your home could offer these health benefits while also providing you with water that has a refreshing taste. Soften up and drink up!