KOMPAS.com – Water is an essential component for almost all forms of life. In fact, about 60 percent of the human body consists of water.
Drinking enough water every day helps maintain a healthy body and supports biological functions such as sweating and waste elimination.
However, what if the water you drink comes from rain? Is it safe to drink rainwater?
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In general, clean rainwater is safe to drink. Many communities in the world even rely on rainwater as the main source of drinking water. However, not all rainwater is safe for consumption.
Several environmental and physical factors can cause rainwater to be polluted. Rainwater can contain parasites, harmful bacteria, viruses, or other contaminants such as animal waste and heavy metals.
In some cases, contaminated rainwater has been linked to the spread of disease outbreaks.
Rainwater that falls in areas with high pollution or comes into contact with polluting materials has the potential to be a health threat. Therefore, it is important to ensure that rainwater is clean and safe before drinking.
Tips to improve rainwater safety
There are several ways to ensure rainwater is safe to drink, including:
Filtering and disinfection
Use a filtration system to remove chemical contaminants such as heavy metals. Certain bacteria, viruses and parasites can also be removed by boiling water or using special chemicals.
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Routine testing
Collected rainwater should be tested regularly to ensure it is free from harmful contaminants. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), rainwater used for drinking should be filtered, disinfected and tested regularly.
According to legal regulations
In some areas, there are legal regulations regarding rainwater collection. Ensure collection methods and quantities comply with local regulations.
If you are unable to carry out the steps above, it is better to use rainwater for other purposes, such as watering plants, washing clothes, or bathing.
Rain illustration. Weather forecast for Surabaya, East JavaDoes drinking rainwater have any health benefits?
There are claims that rainwater is healthier than other water sources, but these claims are not supported by strong scientific evidence. Although drinking clean rainwater is a healthy way to hydrate, the benefits are no greater than other clean water.
One popular claim is that rainwater is more alkaline than tap water, so it can increase blood pH.
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However, in reality, blood pH is very strictly regulated by the body at 7.4, and the food or drink consumed does not have much influence on it. In addition, rainwater tends to be slightly acidic with a pH of around 5.0–5.5, especially in polluted areas.
Other claims, such as that rainwater improves digestion or aids the elimination of body waste, are actually general benefits of drinking clean water, not specific to rainwater.
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