How often do you stop and think about the water you’re drinking? Contaminated water is toxic, and new research sheds light on just how serious it is. If you’ve had trouble keeping your blood pressure regulated, bad water may be partially to blame. Make sure that the water you’re drinking has everything you need and nothing you don’t. 

How bad water affects blood pressure

Tap water is usually not safe or healthy to consume. The water supply contains tons of environmental toxins, including pesticides, plastics, phthalates, parabens, and heavy metals. Bad water can drive up your blood pressure and cause other serious health consequences.

Pesticides

The widespread use of pesticides is quickly becoming problematic. Glyphosate, commonly found in Roundup, is the most widely used active ingredient in pesticides. The use of glyphosate in agriculture has exploded over the past several decades. Glyphosate is seeping into our water supply, with research showing widespread contamination of rivers, streams, ditches, and precipitation. 

Until recently, glyphosate was thought to be safe. Newer research is showing how it can devastate human health. This chemical is genotoxic, meaning it can actually damage DNA. It also causes oxidative stress, hormonal disruptions, immune dysfunction, and inflammation. 

If that wasn’t enough, glyphosate damages the delicate gut microbiome. This can lead to a leaky gut and a host of other problems. All of these disruptions and dysfunctions contribute to high blood pressure.

Plastics, phthalates, and parabens

Have you ever thought about what happens to plastic after it’s thrown away?  It’s an important question – the modern world is swimming in plastic. In 2018, the U.S. alone produced 35.7 tons. 

Plastic isn’t biodegradable. Instead, it breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces over time. These tiny pieces of microplastic contaminate your drinking water. Your immune system isn’t designed to remove plastics from your body, so it goes into overdrive. Microplastic exposure can cause chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, driving up blood pressure.

Phthalates are a group of chemicals in many plastic products. They’re often in the lining of disposable water bottles but are also in the water supply. Parabens are popular preservatives in food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and water. Both phthalates and parabens are hormone-disrupters, meaning they alter the endocrine system. 

The endocrine system works closely with the immune system to regulate many processes, including blood pressure. Immune dysfunction can cause inflammation and high blood pressure. This is why parabens and phthalates are so dangerous for heart health. 

PFAS

PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. This is another group of harmful artificial chemicals, also known as “forever chemicals,” because they aren’t biodegradable. PFASs are accumulating in the water supply, and there’s no way to get rid of them. PFAS exposure is linked to immune dysfunction and high blood pressure.

Toxic metals

If pesticides and plastics weren’t enough to worry about, you also need to watch out for toxic metals. Water may contain heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, nickel, mercury, chromium, zinc, and lead. 

Ingesting these heavy metals can cause oxidative stress, increase your blood pressure, and put you at risk for other serious health conditions. For example, cadmium exposure is linked to high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, coronary artery disease, diabetes, and cancer. Arsenic is another highly toxic metal that can cause high blood pressure and cancer.

Can bottled water cause high blood pressure?

Some believe that it’s safer to drink bottled water, but this isn’t true in most cases. A study showed that 93 percent of bottled water had microplastic contamination. 

Single-use plastic water bottles are usually made with bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates. BPA is another endocrine-disruptor that interacts with estrogen receptors, causing high blood pressure. Researchers have also detected the presence of glyphosate in bottled water.

Think about what happens after you drink from toxic plastic water bottles. As we’ve discussed, plastic isn’t biodegradable. That water bottle won’t magically vanish; it will eventually break down into microplastics, further contaminating the water supply. Plastic water bottles are not a solution.

What’s the best water for blood pressure?

If tap and bottled water are dangerous for blood pressure, then what can you drink? Here are a few of our recommendations to make sure that you’re drinking the highest quality water possible.

Glass water bottles

If you must drink bottled water, make sure that it’s in glass. This guarantees that your water doesn’t contain the nasty chemicals found in plastic bottles. At Natural Heart Doctor, our top pick is Pellegrino. The minerals found in mineral water help keep blood pressure down.

Reverse osmosis

Reverse osmosis is a water purification process that uses a synthetic lining to filter contaminants. The problem with reverse osmosis is that it also removes essential minerals such as magnesium, calcium, potassium, and sodium. 

Countertop water filters

Water filters are popular for water filtration. Microfiltration is effective in purifying the water of toxins and contaminants. Like reverse osmosis, this filtration method also leaves the water void of essential minerals.

PristineHydro

At Natural Heart Doctor, our top recommendation for water purification is the PristineHydro. This system uses a six-step purification process, implementing reverse osmosis. This process eliminates bacteria, heavy metals, pesticides, and other contaminants. 

After the filtration process, the PristineHydro adds minerals important for blood pressure regulation back into the water. Finally, the water is run over lodestone and quartz, recharging the water and simulating a living stream. Not only is this water good for your health and blood pressure, but it tastes great too! 

Detoxify and support your body

If you’ve been exposed to bad water, there’s no need to panic. The human body is a self-healing machine when given the right conditions. At Natural Heart Doctor, comprehensive testing can help monitor toxin exposure, leaky gut, and other imbalances caused by bad water. 

Dietary changes may help with leaky gut. Antioxidant-rich foods can bring down oxidative stress and inflammation. Sauna therapy may help with detoxification and blood pressure. There are many natural ways to support your body and blood pressure through the healing process. 

Next steps

The water you drink is just as crucial as other lifestyle factors, such as diet, exercise, sunshine, and sleep. A high-quality water filter may not be cheap, but consider the potential future costs of high blood pressure. High blood pressure can increase your risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other life-threatening conditions when left uncontrolled. Prioritizing clean water is an investment in your future health and can help you achieve your 100 Year Heart.

Eat Well · Live Well · Think Well 

Medical Review 2022: Dr. Lauren Lattanza NMD