Will I get kidney stones if I drink water with scale for a long time?

Hello, this is Science Popularization China. If you usually use a kettle to boil water, you must have seen the scale on the kettle, which not only looks uncomfortable, but is also difficult to clean. Recently, many people are curious, "If you drink water with scale for a long time, will you get kidney stones?" Today, let's talk about it in detail.

Image source: unsplash.com Photographer: EnginAkyurt

The scale in the kettle is produced by the interaction of calcium and magnesium ions and alkalinity in the water during the boiling process, mainly calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide. This is also related to what we call "water hardness". Generally speaking, the higher the content of soluble calcium and magnesium compounds, the greater the hardness of the water.

However, according to the World Health Organization's latest "Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality", the concentration in drinking water is not high enough to affect health, so no limit is set. There is currently no evidence that hard water can cause stones or other health problems. On the contrary, if you drink less water and eat more meat, the risk of urinary stones will be higher.

Image source: unsplash.com Photographer: EnginAkyurt

Moreover, calcium and magnesium are essential elements for the human body, and most people's calcium and magnesium intake is low. Therefore, high-hardness water can also provide some minerals. Of course, this is not enough to meet daily needs, and diet is still the main way to supplement minerals.

In addition, when drinking water, you should pay attention to drinking small amounts and multiple times, and drink enough water. According to the dietary guidelines, the average adult should drink 1500 to 1700 ml of water a day. In addition to the 800 ml that can be obtained from food, you should drink another 900 ml of water a day.

In short, drinking water with scale for a long time will not cause kidney stones, but if you have requirements for taste, you can install a water softener at home, or choose purified water and mineral water. Timely and sufficient replenishment of water can effectively reduce the risk of disease.

Image source: unsplash.com Photographer: EnginAkyurt

Review | Zhong Kai, Researcher at the National Food Safety Risk Assessment Center