Written by: Alexandra Uta // Last Updated: Sep 15, 2023
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If you’re wary of what you eat and drink due to potential digestive problems, you might also be a bit cautious about reverse osmosis water.
In particular, you may be worried that it could cause constipation. Is that really the case though?
Here’s an overview of what you need to know.
Key Takeaways
So, does reverse osmosis water cause constipation?
No, reverse osmosis water doesn’t cause constipation in an otherwise healthy person. There’s nothing about the properties of RO water that would potentially lead to constipation in the first place. Reverse osmosis water is just regular water with all the impurities removed. Usually, some of those impurities may actually lead to constipation – meaning that reverse osmosis water can improve things in this regard.
Which brings us to our next point. Because it’s so pure, reverse osmosis water can actually ease symptoms of constipation in people affected by certain contaminants in their water supply. This is highly individual though, so don’t expect any magic results by default. If you have similar problems and are planning to use reverse osmosis water as a potential approach to treating them, you should consult your treating physician first.
There’s another way in which reverse osmosis water can help relieve constipation – it promotes hydration. Many people find themselves drinking water more regularly once they make the switch to reverse osmosis water. And since dehydration is one of the main causes for constipation, it makes sense that you would see some improvements in this regard.
What’s reverse osmosis in the first place, and how does it work?
Despite the complicated sounding name, reverse osmosis is actually a very simple process in mechanical terms. It involves pushing water through a thin, semipermeable membrane at a high level of pressure. The membrane is designed to only allow water molecules to pass through, with everything else getting rejected. This is a highly effective method for purifying water, and it’s commonly used in various environments, including domestic and industrial ones.
If you have any thoughts about the question, can RO water cause constipation, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!
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