Does fluoride in mineral water come with a health risk? ☠️
- Timo Bausch I Zertifizierter Wassersommelier
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
My video about the Secret of Saskia has now been viewed over 850,000 times on YouTube. Among the comments, there are frequent references to fluoride in water. Many people say that they would not drink the water for this reason. This raises the question of whether fluoride in mineral water actually has a negative impact on health.
Let's therefore take a closer look at this topic. Below is an overview of the minerals found in the various sources used by Lidl for Saskia.
We can see that the fluoride content varies from less than 0.2 mg/L to a maximum of 0.39 mg/L.
Is that a lot or a little? And does fluoride come with a health risk?
Firstly, it should be noted that mineral springs do not add fluoride to mineral water. Unlike tap water, adding minerals and trace elements to the water is not permitted. Fluoride occurs naturally in rock layers and is absorbed by the water on its way to the spring.
Is 0.39 mg of fluoride per litre a lot?
At first glance, this amount may seem high. However, there are other foods that contain similar amounts of fluoride which we consume every day. Here are a few examples per 100 g:
Depending on the type, black tea can contain up to 1.5 mg of fluoride per cup.
Is it harmful to consume mineral water containing fluoride?
A meta-study has led to information circulating on the internet that consuming fluoride can negatively impact children's IQ.
However, the German Society of Paediatric Dentistry (DGKiZ) has criticised the meta-study in question as many of the underlying studies are biased. Furthermore, 62 of the 74 studies originate from China, India, Mexico or Iran, where many areas have naturally occurring high fluoride concentrations in drinking water (in some cases exceeding the German limit of 1.5 mg per litre).
A new Australian study comes to a different conclusion: there is no apparent association between fluoride concentration in drinking water and children's IQ. The review found no correlation between the limit value for fluoride concentration in drinking water applicable in Germany and children's intelligence. In fact, fluoride concentrations (FC) in German drinking water are generally five times lower than this limit, i.e. 0.3 mg/l.
A new study from the USA also confirms this. Here, too, fluoride concentrations in drinking water commonly found in the US (0.7 mg/l) were found to have no negative effect on the cognitive performance of children or adults. One subgroup was observed several times over a period of four decades, most recently when they were around 60 years old.
At what level does fluoride become harmful?
Bone fluorosis, for example, can develop after the daily intake of 5 to 10 mg over many years. Acute poisoning, characterised by nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, occurs after ingesting approximately 350 mg of fluoride. This is equivalent to the amount contained in two to three tubes of toothpaste.
Pineal gland and fluoride
The calcification of the pineal gland and its negative effects on melatonin production are often discussed online. However, it should be noted that there are currently no robust empirical studies in humans that prove fluoride directly reduces melatonin production or affects pineal gland function. These statements are based on indirect measurements (e.g. of sleep behaviour), animal experiments and hypotheses derived from tissue analyses.
Conclusion:
The fluoride content of many German mineral waters, which is less than 0.4 mg per litre, is well below the relevant health values and is roughly equivalent to the amount consumed through everyday foods. Scientific studies show that fluoride concentrations commonly found in Germany have no demonstrable negative effects on cognitive development or general health. Evidence of risk mainly comes from regions with significantly higher fluoride exposure. Frequently cited concerns that fluoridated mineral water could impair the pineal gland or melatonin production have not yet been substantiated by reliable human studies. Therefore, from today's scientific point of view, fluoridated mineral water in these quantities can be classified as safe. At least, that is what my research has shown.
With that in mind: Drink water, #stayhydrated
Best regards
Timo Bausch
Certified Water Sommelier
About Timo Bausch
My fascination with mineral waters began in 2016 during my training as a Water Sommelier. Since then, I have been exploring the characteristics and diversity of water. In addition to pairing water with food, wine, coffee and other beverages, I offer the creation of water menus for restaurants and hotels. Furthermore, it is also important to me to draw attention to the importance of drinking water.
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