Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 8, 2026

Vinyl Chloride and High-Fat Diet as a Model of Environment and Obesity Interaction
09:15

Vinyl Chloride and High-Fat Diet as a Model of Environment and Obesity Interaction

Published on: January 12, 2020

6.9K

Cardiovascular diseases and hard drinking waters: implications from a systematic review with meta-analysis of

Vincenza Gianfredi1, Nicola Luigi Bragazzi2, Daniele Nucci3

  • 1School of Specialization in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy; † These authors contributed equally to this work.

Journal of Water and Health
|February 3, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Drinking water rich in calcium and magnesium may protect against cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This systematic review suggests a potential benefit, but further research is needed to confirm these findings due to study limitations.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Cardiovascular Epidemiology
  • Mineral Metabolism

Background:

  • Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) represent a significant public health burden, particularly in high-income nations.
  • The role of minerals in drinking water, such as calcium and magnesium, in CVD risk is an area of ongoing investigation.
  • Understanding environmental factors influencing CVD is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and meta-analyze the association between magnesium and calcium concentrations in drinking water and the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
  • To evaluate the potential protective effects of mineral-rich water against CVD.
  • To identify gaps in current research and guide future studies.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines.
  • Case-control studies were included, with seven studies quantitatively analyzed from an initial pool of 643 articles.
  • Comparisons were made between subjects exposed to the highest versus lowest ion concentrations, involving over 44,000 participants.

Main Results:

  • The meta-analysis indicated a protective effect of calcium (Effect Size [ES] = 0.82, 95% CI [0.70-0.95]) and magnesium (ES = 0.75, 95% CI [0.66-0.86]) in drinking water against CVD.
  • Hard water consumption appeared to be associated with a reduced risk of CVD.
  • Significant heterogeneity (I² > 70%) and publication bias were observed for both minerals, questioning the robustness of the findings.

Conclusions:

  • The findings suggest that drinking water containing higher concentrations of calcium and magnesium may offer a protective effect against cardiovascular diseases.
  • However, the considerable heterogeneity and potential publication bias limit the generalizability and certainty of these results.
  • High-quality, prospective studies are essential to validate these preliminary findings and confirm the protective role of waterborne minerals in CVD prevention.

More Related Videos

Hydra, a Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Cardiovascular Analysis and Diagnosis07:51

Hydra, a Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Cardiovascular Analysis and Diagnosis

Published on: September 26, 2018

8.1K
Modeling Alcohol Consumption in Rodents Using Two-Bottle Choice Home Cage Drinking and Microstructural Analysis08:45

Modeling Alcohol Consumption in Rodents Using Two-Bottle Choice Home Cage Drinking and Microstructural Analysis

Published on: November 8, 2024

1.5K

Related Concept Videos

Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures01:26

Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures

Effective preventive measures for coronary artery disease (CAD) focus on controlling modifiable risk factors, including cholesterol abnormalities and lifestyle changes.Cholesterol ManagementFirst, the Mediterranean diet and the American Heart Association advocate for maintaining low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL, with a more stringent recommendation of below 70 mg/dL for individuals at high risk. LDL cholesterol, often termed "bad cholesterol," can lead to the...
789
Cardiovascular Drugs: Classification based on Therapeutic Indications01:18

Cardiovascular Drugs: Classification based on Therapeutic Indications

Cardiovascular diseases, encompassing a range of conditions, can significantly affect the heart's operations and the overall circulatory system. These conditions impair the heart's ability to pump blood, leading to a deficit in oxygen supply to crucial organs. Anomalies in the heart's electrical system, known as arrhythmias, can cause heartbeats to accelerate or slow down. Usually, heart rates increase during physical activity and decrease while resting or sleeping. However,...
4.4K
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
1.4K
Atherosclerosis III: Management01:26

Atherosclerosis III: Management

Management of atherosclerosis involves an integrated strategy encompassing pharmacological treatment, surgical interventions, lifestyle changes, and nutrition therapy to address the multifactorial nature of the disease.Pharmacological TherapyA cornerstone of atherosclerosis management is the use of pharmacological agents. Statins, such as atorvastatin, are pivotal in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes an initial step in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This reduction in...
540
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV01:26

Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV

Stress often leads to unhealthy habits like smoking, excessive drinking, and overeating, which offer short-term relief but ultimately increase long-term health risks. These behaviors create a cycle that temporarily lowers stress levels but can result in severe long-term health consequences. Breaking these habits is essential to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve overall well-being. Three primary changes that support better health include quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake,...
301
Assessment of the Cardiovascular System I: Subjective Data01:23

Assessment of the Cardiovascular System I: Subjective Data

A thorough health history and physical assessment are essential for identifying cardiovascular disease (CVD) symptoms and distinguishing them from other health issues.
Initial Enquiry
Ask the patient about their primary concern and thoroughly explore all reported symptoms.
Medical History
Investigate past illnesses affecting the cardiovascular system, such as angina, anemia, rheumatic fever, congenital heart disease, stroke, thrombophlebitis, dysrhythmias, varicosities
Inquire about symptoms...
1.0K