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Summary of medical research results to date
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How active is water in disease prevention?
Biology and the properties of water
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Water consumption and disease prevention
About the Water Clinical Trials site
Biology and the properties of water
Water consumption and disease prevention
How active is water in disease prevention?
Summary of medical research results to date
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It appears that Professor Heinz Valtin(1) and Professor Stanley Goldfarb(2) were independently correct in questioning the daily consumption of extra water (up to 8 glasses per day). This small clinical trial has indicated that water very low in calcium concentration may be detrimental to health if consumed at the levels discussed by the Professors.
Though small, the clinical trial has demonstrated a means by which water low in calcium concentration may be detrimental relative to water high in calcium concentration. There are many studies that indicate low calcium concentration in drinking water increases the risk of death from cardiovascular disease. This clinical trial has demonstrated that the consumption of water low in calcium concentration increases parathyroid hormone concentration which, in turn, is correlated independently to an increase in blood pressure.
For a case control study indicating that consumption of water low in calcium increases the risk of death from acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) see:
Abstract in Environmental Research:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16469307
For a prospective epidemiological study that correlates increased parathyroid hormone concentration to increased blood pressure, see:
Abstract in Journal of Hypertension:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20613627
For a population-based study that correlates increased parathyroid hormone concentration to increased blood pressure, see:
Abstract in Journal of Internal Medicine:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17547711
Several moderately large prospective studies have identified high parathyroid hormone concentrations with either hypertension or cardiovascular mortality.
Abstract in Journal of Hypertension:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18551015
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19451355
Abstract in Clinical Endocrinology:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19250270
The author did not speculate how parathyroid hormone concentration could increase with the consumption of water low in calcium concentration. As discussed in another editorial on this website, it is well documented in the literature that parathyroid hormone secretion is very sensitive to plasma calcium concentrations. Theoretically, an increase in body hydration could decrease calcium ion concentrations sufficiently to depress calcium-sensing receptor activity and increase parathyroid hormone concentrations.
The women on the clinical trial consumed their normal diet but did not consume any calcium supplements. Calcium supplementation may have altered the results of the clinical trial substantially. Indeed, the author recommends that people who consume extra water should consume a diet high in calcium or consume an appropriate calcium supplement.
This clinical trial has demonstrated that people who consume extra water need to know the calcium concentration of the water they consume. Long term consumption of extra water that is low in calcium concentration may be detrimental to health. It is good practice for water utilities and suppliers of bottled water to provide information to consumers in relation to the calcium concentration of their waters.
1. Valtin H. 2002. “Drink at least eight glasses of water a day.” Really? Is there scientific evidence for “8x8”? Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 283: R993-R1004.
2. Negoianu D and Goldfarb S. 2008. Just add water. J Am Soc Nephrol 19: 1-3.
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The consumption of extra water containing low calcium concentration may be detrimental to health
Beckett RJ.
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