What Happens When You Drink High TDS Water?
High TDS water can be common depending on your water source. Let's explore the potential health and lifestyle impacts of drinking high TDS water.
What Happens When You Drink High TDS Water?
Drinking water with a high Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) level—generally anything above 600-900 mg/L—can have varying effects on your body and daily life. It’s important to understand these impacts.
1. Gastrointestinal Distress
One of the most immediate effects of drinking water with very high TDS, particularly if it contains high levels of sulfates, is gastrointestinal discomfort. This can include stomach cramps, nausea, and diarrhea, especially for individuals who are not accustomed to the water.
2. Kidney Stones
Prolonged consumption of hard water with extremely high calcium and magnesium content has been statistically correlated in some regions with an increased risk of developing kidney stones, though research is ongoing.
3. Unpleasant Taste and Odor
High TDS water simply doesn’t taste good. Depending on the exact mineral composition, it can taste extremely bitter, salty, or leave a metallic aftertaste, making it difficult to stay properly hydrated.
4. Dehydration
Ironically, drinking water that is too high in dissolved salts (like sodium chloride) can actually contribute to dehydration rather than quenching your thirst.
What’s the Solution?
If your tap or borewell water has high TDS, installing an RO (Reverse Osmosis) water purifier is the most effective and reliable way to strip out excess dissolved solids and make the water safe and pleasant to drink.
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