Toxic Taps: How Chlorine & Other Toxins In Tap Water Impact Gut Health in Spokane Valley WA

Access to clean and safe drinking water is essential for life and human health, but sometimes, the very water we drink daily for hydration can in fact contain hidden chemicals known to cause various health problems. In this article, we will explore the scientific evidence behind how these toxic elements in tap water can affect your gut and overall well-being while also providing natural solutions to this major concern.

1. Chlorine in Tap Water: Chlorine is widely used to disinfect tap water and kill harmful bacteria and pathogens. While it plays a important role in ensuring the safety of drinking water, excessive exposure to chlorine may have unintended consequences for gut health. Your gut microbiome is made up of trillions of bacteria and microorganisms that aid in digestion, gene expression, immune function, mood, and hormone balance. Since the purpose of chlorine is to kill the bacteria in the water, it will also do the same thing in your gut when you drink unfiltered tap water killing the good or bad bacteria in your gut, throwing off the all important balance of the gut microbiome. A study published in the journal Environmental Science and Pollution Research (Lerner, A., & Matthias, T., 2015) highlighted that chlorine can alter the gut microbiota composition. The study showed that chlorine can promote the growth of certain bacteria while inhibiting the growth of others. This disruption in the balance of gut bacteria, known as dysbiosis, has been linked to various digestive issues, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
2. Toxins and Contaminants Impact on Gut Balance and Permiability: In addition to chlorine, tap water can contain a range of contaminants and toxins, such as heavy metals, pesticides, flame retardants, PFAS, and pharmaceutical residues that infiltrate the water supply from various sources. When people are drinking water regularly to stay hydrated these these pollutants may begin to accumulate in their body potentially resulting in health problems down the road. These toxic contaminants similar to chlorine as disrupt the gut microbial balance leading to gastrointestinal problems or even leaky gut syndrome. One peer-reviewed study in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP) (Eslami, M., et al., 2017) discussed the potential link between exposure to common water contaminants and gut microbiota disruption. Another study published in the journal Science Translational Medicine (Jernberg, C., et al., 2018) highlighted that exposure to chlorine and water contaminants can lead to increased intestinal permeability, often referred to as "leaky gut syndrome." This condition allows harmful substances to pass through the gut lining and enter the bloodstream, potentially triggering inflammation and related health problems.

4 Steps To Protecting Your Gut Health From Tap Toxins In  Spokane Valley WA

While concerns about the impact of chlorine and toxins in tap water on gut health are valid, there are steps you can take to mitigate the risks and ensure access to clean, safe water:

1. Get A Water Test Done: My moto has always been test, don’t guess. In order to determine the kind and quality of a water filter you need you will first want to have a water test performed that will look at a solid list of potential contaminants to see what
   is in your water that you do not want to be putting in your body regularly. These tests can range from $150-$700 depending on how comprehensive the report.
2. Water Filtration: Once you know what is in your water you can determine what kind of filtration you will need. Consider investing in a high-quality water filtration system that can effectively remove chlorine and various contaminants from your tap water. There are a variety of filters on the market from reverse osmosis, carbon filters, ion exchange, mechanical, ultraviolet filters. Something will be better than nothing even if it is a pitcher filter that removes some of the chlorine. All the filters have their pros and cons, but you will have to decide your comfort level to having certain contaminants in your water and then work backwards as to what filter you need to remove the ones you don’t want.
3. Stay Informed: Regularly check local water quality reports from your water district to understand the specific contaminants in your tap water. This is a free report that can provide information on water quality without always paying for expensive water testing reports.
4. Maintain a Balanced Diet: A diet rich in f s such as yogurt, or kimchi can help support a healthy gut microbiome, which may better withstand the occasional exposure to water contaminants.

Conclusion

While using chlorine in tap water serves an important purpose in ensuring our drinking water is safe, it also comes with unintended consequences on gut health that are of concern. Research indicates that exposure to chlorine as well as other water contaminants can disrupt the gut microbiome, compromise gut barrier function, and potentially contribute to digestive issues. By taking measures to purify your tap water and maintain a gut-healthy lifestyle, you can reduce the potential risks and promote overall well-being.

References:

1. Lerner, A., & Matthias, T. (2015). Changes in intestinal tight junction permeability associated with industrial food additives explain the rising incidence of autoimmune disease. Autoimmunity Reviews, 14(6), 479-489.
2. Eslami, M., et al. (2017). Does exposure to bisphenols, phthalates, pesticides, and phenols influence levels of oxidative stress? A systematic review of the human epidemiological evidence. Environmental Health Perspectives, 125(8), 086001.
3. Jernberg, C., et al. (2018). Water contaminants disrupt gut microbiota in humans. Science Translational Medicine, 10(464), eaar7200.