How Trace Element Levels of Public Drinking Water Affect Body Composition in Turkey

Abstract

Since waterborne minerals appear in ionic form and are readily absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract, drinking water could be a crucial source of mineral intake. However, no comprehensive research has yet determined how trace elements in drinking water relate to body composition. We aimed to assess the relationship between clinically important trace elements in public drinking water and body composition in average, overweight and obese individuals in Turkey. The study's population consisted of 423 participants: 143 overweight, 138 obese and 142 healthy control individuals, grouped according to clinical cutoff points of body mass index (BMI). We measured levels of lithium (Li), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), silicon (Si), tin (Sn), strontium (Sr), boron (B), aluminium (Al), barium (Ba) and rubidium (Rb) in samples from wells of municipal water by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. We gauged all the participants' body composition measurements with a BC-418 body composition analyser. In all the participants, body weight values showed significant positive correlations with Ni levels in drinking water, as did BMI values with Al levels and percentage of obesity with Ni, Si and B levels. In particular, Ni levels showed significant positive correlations with the basal metabolic rate, activity calories, and total activity of participants. Giving findings showing correlations between obesity-related parameters and Al, Si, B and Ni content in drinking water, we hope that these associations will be clarified with further studies including cellular, experimental and clinical studies. Hence, medical practitioners must be aware of trace element levels in drinking water for overweight and obese patients.

Long-Term Potable Effects of Alkalescent Mineral Water on Intestinal Microbiota Shift and Physical Conditioning

“…Ingredients contained in mineral water for consumption such as magnesium [5, 6], calcium [7], or both [8] and bicarbonate [9] have demonstrated their ameliorating effects on metabolic diseases or health promoting functions through cohort studies in multiple locations worldwide. On the other hand, minerals such as nickel have parallel effects on body fat accumulation [10]. Since water must be consumed daily, the continuous intake of trace ingredients over a prolonged period could have certain effects on our physical conditions like those described above.…”

Association between urinary nickel with obesity status in adults: A cross-sectional study

“…A study from Spain found that the trace element nickel in fat is the highest, highlighting the potential role of nickel in obesity and obesity-related diseases (34). Another study from Turkey directly shows a positive correlation between BMI and nickel (35). The results of Yang et al proved that men exposed to nickel were more prone to dyslipidemia and BMI ≥ 25 (36).…”

The Effect of Micro Element Levels in Drinking Water on Adolescent Body Composition

“…Dahası içme suyu element içeriğinin, toplam enerji alımını azaltarak ya da metabolizmada değişikliğe neden olarak kilo alımına veya kilo kaybına neden olabileceği öne sürülmüştür 16 . Yapılan bir çalışmada, obezite ile ilişkili parametreler ve içme suyunda bulunan Al, Si, B ve Ni düzeyleri arasında pozitif korelasyon bulunduğu ifade edilmiştir 17 .…”