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Antioxidants and harmful water
contaminants
Antioxidants also shield you from
the harmful effects of water contaminants, according to study
By Melissa Smith
waterfilters.news
Contaminants are ever present, even in seemingly
clean water.
Researchers suggest that antioxidants such as
vitamin C and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) may help protect you from
the harmful effects of hexavalent chromium, a contaminant commonly found in drinking
water.
Researchers from Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois looked at human
cells to determine whether antioxidants can prevent cell toxicity.
They exposed two types of human cells to
different concentrations of hexavalent chromium.
They observed the chemical’s toxic effects on
cells at concentrations of 200 parts per billion (ppb) or higher.
Hexavalent chromium often leaches into
water supply through industrial waste.
This chemical is known to cause cancer, and studies revealed that it contaminates
water supplies for more than 200 million people in the United States.
The researchers found that the harmful effects
of high hexavalent chromium concentrations could be completely blocked by
adding vitamin C at 10 parts per million (ppm) or EGCG at
15 ppm.
In additional experiments, the researchers
investigated DNA mutations in bacteria exposed to 20 ppb or more of hexavalent
chromium.
The results showed that treating bacteria
exposed to the chemical with 20 ppm of vitamin C prevented the DNA mutations.
Based on their findings, the researchers
concluded that an oxidative mechanism may be responsible for the contaminant’s
toxicity, which could be prevented by treating water with antioxidants.
The team hopes that their study could help
improve water quality monitoring and regulation, and could lead to treatment
that reduces health risks from exposure to hexavalent chromium.
They presented their findings at the 2019
Experimental Biology meeting in Orlando, Florida.
Access to safe drinking water in the U.S. is
not guaranteed, so putting in extra effort on keeping your water clean and safe
for consumption is important.
Numerous studies have shown that there are
hundreds of contaminants in the water supply.
Unfortunately, the Environmental
Protection Agency’s (EPA) Safe Drinking Water Act since
1974 only regulates about 90 contaminants.
The findings of the study highlight the
importance of better regulation of these contaminants.
Vitamin C can be found in many fruits and
vegetables, including berries, bell peppers, and citrus fruits. EGCG, on the other hand, is the main
antioxidant found in green tea.
The researchers have yet to determine exactly
how much protection you would get from increasing your intake of these
antioxidants, but these compounds have already been linked to many other health
benefits.
Therefore, upping your intake of vitamin
C and EGCG is good for your overall health.
Making sure your water is
safe to drink
Water is one of the basic needs of many living
beings. It keeps you hydrated, aids in digestion, helps flush out toxins, and
even aids in weight loss.
Ensuring that your drinking water is clean is
also important to prevent disease and other harmful effects caused by
contaminated water.
Here are some tips for making sure your water
is safe:
· Check
your water quality –
You can request a report from your city or contact your local water supplier to
conduct water testing. Water suppliers are required by law to regulate and
monitor the supply for contaminants and reduce them to safe levels determined
by the EPA.
· Invest
in a water filter – Trace
amounts of impurities can still be present in water even if it is monitored.
These impurities can include lead that leaches from household plumbing.
Exposure to very low levels of lead in drinking water can cause cognitive
problems, particularly in children. Consider investing in a reverse osmosis
carbon filter, which can be installed under the sink. (Related: How to Choose the
Perfect Water Filter for Your Home)
· Don’t
rely on bottled water –
Bottled water is not safe from contaminants, either. Consumer
Reports reveal that some bottled water brands contain arsenic at
unsafe levels.
Drinking filtered water from your home filtration system is safe and
eco-friendly, reducing your use of plastic bottles.
Learn more ways on how to keep your drinking
water clean and safe at WaterPurifiers.news.
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