DO MINERALS IN WATER REALLY IMPAIR DETOXIFICATION AND CELL VIABILITY?
DO MINERALS IN WATER REALLY IMPAIR DETOXIFICATION AND CELL VIABILITY?
Sellers of osmosis systems often claim that only osmosis water - i.e. mineral-free water - is cell-permeable and can effectively detoxify the body. Minerals in the water, even harmless ones such as calcium, magnesium or calcium carbonates, would allegedly reduce the water's absorption capacity. These statements are not scientifically substantiated. On the contrary: water containing minerals has numerous health benefits and in no way impairs the body's ability to detoxify. In this article, we refute these claims in detail.
Why "pure water" does not exist in the body - and why this is irrelevant
The idea of "pure water" - i.e. completely mineral-free water - simply does not exist in the body. As soon as water enters the body, it comes into contact with a variety of substances and fluids that directly change its composition. In the mouth, water is chemically enriched by saliva, which contains enzymes and electrolytes such as sodium. In the stomach, it mixes with gastric acid, a highly concentrated solution of hydrochloric acid, which is essential for digestion. In the intestine, it is combined with digestive juices, which in turn contain enzymes and electrolytes to break down and absorb nutrients.
As soon as water is absorbed into the bloodstream, it is no longer "pure" water, but part of a complex fluid matrix. Blood is a fluid with a high mineral content, including sodium, potassium, calcium and chloride - substances that are essential for maintaining cell function and osmoregulation. The same applies to the interstitial fluid that surrounds the cells and the cell water itself. These fluids are never pure, but always contain dissolved minerals and other substances that are essential for metabolism and communication between cells.
Even if "pure water" is drunk, it quickly loses its "purity" due to the biological processes in the body. The body is programmed to incorporate water into its natural fluid environment to ensure electrolyte balance and osmotic balance. Water with a moderate mineral content even actively supports this process, as it provides the body with valuable cofactors for biochemical reactions. Pure osmosis water, on the other hand, could deprive the cells of important minerals to restore balance due to its hypotonicity - which could be counterproductive in the long term.
"Pure water does not exist in the body - it immediately becomes part of a complex fluid matrix."
Cell permeability of water: What's behind it?
The term "cell-permeable" describes the ability of water to penetrate the cells and support essential metabolic processes there. Water is essential for the transportation of nutrients, the elimination of metabolic waste and the support of biochemical reactions. However, the quality or cell permeability of water does not depend on whether it is completely free of minerals - on the contrary.
The science behind cell viability
The discovery of aquaporins by Nobel Prize winner Pete Agre in 2003 revolutionized our understanding of water uptake. Aquaporins are highly selective water channels in the cell membrane that only allow water molecules to pass through. Dissolved substances such as minerals or pollutants do not pass through these channels. This means that the cell permeability of water is controlled exclusively by the function of the aquaporins - and not by the mineral content of the water.
Physical properties and cell viability
In addition to biological mechanisms, the physical properties of water play a decisive role. Liquid crystalline structures, which are created by natural processes such as turbulence, promote interaction with cell membranes. These physically optimized properties can promote the uptake of water and nutrients by facilitating the transfer of energy between cells. Pure osmosis water lacks this natural structure, making it less suitable for optimally supporting natural processes in the body.
Why minerals in water are important
The water in our body is never pure, like osmosis water. It always contains minerals, electrolytes and other substances that are essential for cell metabolism. Water that is too pure, such as osmosis water, can even be problematic due to its hypotonicity (lack of salts and minerals), as it can dissolve important electrolytes from the body. The body needs water with a moderate mineral content in order to function effectively.
The fact that dissolved salts such as sea salt or magnesium in water can be easily absorbed by the body shows that water can also be absorbed with minerals. If the osmosis system seller's assumption were correct, the body would have to reject such liquids - but this is not the case. Scientific studies confirm that mineralized water supports health and has no detrimental effect on the ability to detoxify. On the contrary: minerals such as calcium and magnesium are essential for biochemical processes and the maintenance of electrolyte balance.
The hypothesis: "Mineralized water is saturated and less absorbent"
The claim that water is "full" of minerals and can therefore no longer absorb pollutants is physically incorrect. Water absorbs substances due to its chemical solubility, which is not limited by dissolved minerals. Water is only saturated when it can no longer absorb any more substances. This would require extreme concentrations - a glass of water (250 ml) could dissolve up to 360 g of table salt, for example. Such conditions are unimaginable in drinking water and contradict the assertion that mineralized water is less absorbent.
In fact, water, even if it contains moderate amounts of minerals, remains an effective solvent that can easily transport pollutants and metabolic products. Even mineral-rich water such as Hunyadi János healing water with up to 20,000 mg/l TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) remains absorbent. These waters have been scientifically studied and are known for their positive health properties, including their detoxification support. There is no evidence that mineralized water loses its ability to absorb or transport pollutants.
Detoxification takes place via organs - not via water
Contrary to what is often claimed, detoxification is not carried out by water itself, but by organs such as the liver and kidneys. Water assumes the role of an essential transport medium that absorbs harmful substances in the extracellular space and finally excretes them via the kidneys with the urine. Pollutants and metabolic products are transported by diffusion, osmotic mechanisms and fluid flow - a complex interplay in which water always acts as part of an electrolyte mixture.
Water in our body always contains minerals and other substances that are an integral part of natural body fluids such as blood, lymph and interstitial fluid. These minerals are essential to maintain the osmotic balance and flow properties of the fluids. Harmful substances are not directly bound by the "free capacity" of water, but are processed by the body's physiological processes and excreted via the kidneys, intestines and skin.
There is no scientific evidence that osmosis water improves this process. On the contrary, water with a moderate mineral content supports this process, as minerals serve as cofactors for many metabolic processes. The assertion that water with minerals would disrupt this process therefore contradicts the natural composition of the body's own fluids and is simply illogical.
Nature as a model: water and its natural structure
Natural spring water always contains minerals and trace elements that are valuable for the body. These minerals not only characterize the taste of the water, but are also essential for the functioning of body cells.
In our article on The importance of minerals in water - a scientific view, we have already described how mineral-rich water can be brought to an even more harmonious state through vitalization. This natural structure of water improves the bioavailability of nutrients and the efficiency of cell hydration. Pure osmosis water, on the other hand, lacks this natural structure, which makes it less suitable for optimally supporting the natural processes in the body.
Conclusion: Mineralized water detoxifies and is compatible with cells
Pure water as a concept does not exist in the body, as water immediately interacts with the biological environment and is chemically enriched. The natural composition of water is much more important than its purity. Mineral-rich water helps the body to optimally regulate its physiological processes. Natural spring water with a moderate mineral content is therefore the better choice not only because of its taste, but also because of its health benefits.
The claim that only osmosis water is cell-permeable and suitable for detoxification is scientifically untenable. Minerals in water do not impair the body's ability to pass through cells or detoxify. On the contrary: they promote general health by stabilizing the electrolyte balance and supporting biological processes such as cell function.
Osmosis systems can be useful when it comes to removing specific pollutants such as nitrates or fluorides from contaminated tap water. However, osmosis water is often unnecessary for everyday use as it not only removes pollutants but also all natural minerals - substances that are essential for the body and its natural processes.
Natural spring waters, which serve as a model for water refinement, differ fundamentally from pure osmosis water. They are rich in minerals and have a structured and biologically active quality due to contact with rocks and natural turbulence. These properties make them particularly digestible and valuable. With our holistic water concepts of activated carbon filtration and vitalization, we strive to come as close as possible to these natural properties.
Don't be put off by misleading sales arguments: a high-quality water filter system that safely removes harmful substances and preserves the valuable minerals in the water provides the optimum basis for healthy and natural drinking water.
About the author:
Thomas Hartwig is a certified medical nutritionist and founder of the company Leogant. For many years he has been intensively involved with the element of water. He is a valued keynote speaker and guest on podcasts, where he shares his knowledge and experience. In his work he combines findings from natural science and medicine with philosophical approaches to contribute to a holistic water awareness.
References
List of sources
National Institutes of Health (NIH). Role of Salivary Enzymes in Digestion. Available at: https://www.nih.gov
Guyton, A.C., Hall, J.E. Textbook of Medical Physiology. Elsevier Health Sciences, 2016.
Journal of Biological Chemistry. Electrolyte Function in the Body. Available at: https://www.jbc.org
World Health Organization (WHO). Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality. 4th edition, 2011. available at: https://www.who.int
Journal of Nutrition. Hypotonicity and its Effects on Electrolyte Balance. Available at: https://academic.oup.com/jn
Nobel Prize Organization. Pete Agre's Discovery of Aquaporins. Available at: https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/2003/agre/facts/
ScienceDirect. Selective Permeability of Aquaporins. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com
Emoto, M. Water and Fluid Structures. HADO Publishing, 2001.
Nature Communications: Manifestations of metastable criticality in the long-range structure of model water glasses. Available at: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-23639-2
German Medical Journal. Electrolytes in the human body. Available at: https://www.aerzteblatt.de
Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Mineral Requirements for Humans. Available at: https://academic.oup.com/ajcn
World Health Organization (WHO). Minerals in Drinking Water. Available at: https://www.who.int
Harvard Health. The Science of Detoxification. Available at: https://www.health.harvard.edu
Hunyadi water studies. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Biochemical Journal. Role of Kidneys in Filtration. Available at: https://portlandpress.com/biochemj
Mayo Clinic. The Role of Electrolytes in Cellular Health. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org
Springer. Natural Springs and Mineral Composition. Available at: https://link.springer.com
World Health Organization (WHO). Health Effects of Mineralized Water. Available at: https://www.who.int