Is drinking soft water a good idea? +Wild foods for remineralization

Is Drinking Soft Water a Good Idea? Wild Foods for Remineralization

In my recent travels to Virginia, I discovered more than just beautiful landscapes – I found wild nutrition right outside my friend's doorstep. This morning while enjoying a delicious frittata, I couldn't resist foraging the yard for some wild accompaniments: honewort, several varieties of dandelion greens, dock leaves, and even some wild strawberries. These foraged treasures not only enhanced my meal but reminded me of the powerful mineral-rich foods that nature provides freely.

During this trip, I also had a unique experience at Farmstead Ferments – my first encounter with water kefir on tap! When I mentioned to the barista that I brew my own water kefir at home, she was surprised, saying I was the first person she'd met who made their own. I sampled all three available flavors: cherry, elderberry, and the unexpected winner – catnip. As a member of the mint family, catnip imparted a subtle, distinctive flavor unlike anything I've tasted before.

My Mineral Journey: Progress Through Wild Foods

My 25th hair mineral analysis test results arrived this week, showing remarkable improvements in a relatively short time period. Six out of seven mineral ratios now fall within normal ranges, and all four macrominerals – calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium – have increased.

I attribute these positive shifts to several key lifestyle changes:
- More consistent seasonal eating
- Increased time spent in nature
- Regular consumption of wild greens
- Greater intake of mineral-rich plant infusions

I'm excited to deepen this approach over the coming year and continue tracking my progress through hair mineral analysis.

Wild foods offer exceptional nutritional benefits, particularly regarding mineral content, fiber, and polyphenols that nourish our gut microbiome. Stinging nettles, for example, stand out as perhaps the richest mineral source among plant foods. Just a half-cup serving of nettles delivers over 400mg of calcium – four times the amount found in kale or turnip greens!

To better document and share my experiences, I've started a food journal today. This will help me track what I'm eating and provide valuable insights for students in my Remineralize program.

The Hidden Dangers of Soft Water

While exploring minerals this weekend, I've been engrossed in a rare book – "The Complete Book of Minerals for Health" by J.I. Rodale (fifth printing, 1977). This reading coincided with a recent client consultation involving a whole-house water softener system, which prompted important conversations about drinking water quality.

This client experienced nervous system issues, heart concerns, and brain fog – symptoms potentially connected to her water supply. When you consider the volume of water we consume daily, even trace imbalances can significantly impact our health over time.

What Exactly Is Soft Water?

Water naturally contains various minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium. The classification of water as "hard" or "soft" depends on the concentration of these minerals:

- Soft water contains 0-17.1 parts per million (ppm) of hardness minerals
- Due to this mineral deficiency, soft water typically has elevated sodium content

Residential ion-exchange water softeners work by replacing calcium and magnesium (hardness minerals) with sodium through a resin bed. While this process produces water that's gentler on plumbing and appliances, it prioritizes mechanical systems over human health.

The Problem with Drinking Demineralized Water

When you drink water lacking essential minerals, you're not just missing beneficial nutrients – you're actively depleting your body's mineral stores. Here's why:

- Water requires minerals for cellular transport
- Without minerals present in water, your body must supply them
- Over time, this creates or worsens existing mineral deficiencies
- Initial symptoms may include fatigue and muscle cramps, but deeper biochemical imbalances often develop

Soft water shares similarities with distilled water regarding mineral content – both lack the minerals our bodies need. While marketed as "pure," soft water isn't necessarily clean; it may still contain other contaminants affecting water quality.

The taste difference is noticeable too. Soft water often tastes flat or slightly acidic and may have an unusual mouthfeel due to its lack of minerals.

The Sodium Problem in Softened Water (continued)

I discovered a fascinating case study in Rodale's book about a Canadian hospital in the 1960s that installed a water softener. Medical staff noticed that medications used to treat hypertension, edema, and heart failure suddenly became ineffective. They eventually realized the water softening system had converted all water used throughout the hospital into a mild saline solution, essentially putting every patient on a high-sodium diet. This is particularly problematic since these conditions are often partially caused by excess sodium consumption from processed foods and table salt.

Mineral Balancing: A Complex Modern Challenge

Achieving proper mineral balance today involves navigating numerous factors, creating a steep learning curve for most people. One of the most significant yet overlooked contributors to our health is water quality, which can be surprisingly complex to assess.

Have you ever visited a doctor who inquired about your water source when treating high blood pressure, heart issues, or cognitive challenges? Probably not, despite the profound impact water quality can have on these conditions.

Practical Solutions for Water Softener Users

If you currently use a whole-house water softening system, consider these practical approaches:

1. Use alternative drinking water: Spring water or properly filtered water can provide the minerals your body needs.

2. Selective softening: Apply water softening only to your hot water line for dishes, laundry, and showers, while leaving the cold water line (used for drinking and cooking) untreated. Hard water may benefit humans even though it's harder on appliances and plumbing.

3. Test your water: Whether you have municipal water or well water, comprehensive testing is essential. Even municipal water systems sometimes use softening treatments that you should be aware of.

4. Remineralize your water: If you must drink softened water, add trace mineral drops or a pinch of high-quality sea salt to restore essential minerals.

It's worth noting that hot water systems using soft water can sometimes cause copper piping corrosion – another potential health concern.

Taking Control of Your Water Quality

Unfortunately, we can't assume government agencies are thoroughly monitoring our water quality. Even EPA testing has significant limitations in what it measures. For comprehensive water analysis, I recommend services like [Radiant Life's Well Check](https://radiantlifecatalog.com/well-check/), which tests for a wider range of potential contaminants than standard regulatory testing.

As with many aspects of health, we must take personal responsibility for understanding and optimizing our water quality. While not simple, ensuring mineral-rich, properly balanced drinking water is one of the most fundamental steps toward improved health and vitality.

Wild foods and proper water choices represent powerful, accessible tools for remineralization – essential components in my ongoing journey toward optimal mineral balance and vibrant health.

Ready to Restore Your Mineral Balance? Discover Remineralize

After exploring the impact of soft water on our mineral balance and the power of wild foods, you might be wondering how to take control of your own mineral health. This is precisely why I created the Remineralize program.

Just as we need to be mindful about the minerals stripped from our softened water, we must address the broader mineral depletion happening in our bodies daily. The Remineralize program provides a structured approach to reintroducing essential minerals through strategic dietary choices, proper hydration practices, and lifestyle adjustments – without requiring complex testing to get started.

Whether you're dealing with unexplained fatigue, experiencing the effects of mineral-depleted water like we discussed today, or simply wanting to enhance your vitality through better mineral balance, Remineralize offers the education and practical steps to transform your relationship with minerals. Join me on this journey to reclaim your natural energy and resilience – the same approach that's showing such positive results in my own mineral tests.