How TDS Affects Health
TDS, or Total Dissolved Solids, is one of the most important indicators of drinking water quality. It measures the amount of minerals, salts, metals and dissolved substances present in water. While many people focus only on taste or clarity, TDS plays a critical role in determining how water impacts the body. Understanding how TDS affects health helps families make safer decisions about their drinking water.
The first way TDS affects health is through mineral balance. Water naturally contains essential minerals like calcium, magnesium and potassium, which support hydration, muscle function and nutrient absorption. When TDS is very low — usually below 50 ppm — the water lacks these minerals. Drinking extremely low TDS water for long periods may not support optimal hydration and can feel less satisfying to drink.
On the other hand, very high TDS can be harmful. Water with high levels of dissolved solids may contain excess sodium, sulfates, fluoride, nitrates and even heavy metals like lead or arsenic depending on the source. Consuming such water over long periods may pose health risks. High TDS water often tastes salty, bitter or metallic, which is one of the first indicators that the balance is off.
TDS also affects digestive comfort. Balanced TDS helps the body stay hydrated and supports normal digestion. When TDS is too high, the water may feel heavy and uncomfortable to drink. When it is too low, the water may pass quickly through the system without giving the body enough mineral support.
Another health effect relates to daily hydration habits. People are naturally more comfortable drinking water that tastes clean, smooth and refreshing. Balanced TDS improves taste, which encourages both children and adults to drink more water. High or very low TDS often discourages regular drinking, leading to mild dehydration in many households without them realizing it.
TDS also influences cooking and beverages. Water with too many dissolved solids can alter the flavor of tea, coffee and cooked food. Balanced TDS maintains natural taste and enhances overall consumption experience.
In many Indian cities, TDS fluctuates regularly due to changing water sources like municipal supply, borewell water or tanker water. This is why modern RO systems with intelligent TDS control are important. They ensure the water stays in the ideal drinking range of 70–250 ppm — a range considered safe, healthy and pleasant for daily use.
Purifiers like Homvel use advanced RO technology with TDS balancing to remove harmful dissolved solids while retaining essential minerals. This ensures the water is both safe and health-friendly. More information on these systems can be found here:
https://homvel.com/
Final Thought
TDS affects health by influencing mineral balance, hydration quality, taste and overall drinking comfort. Extremely low or extremely high TDS is not ideal. Balanced TDS ensures healthy, enjoyable and safe drinking water for the entire family.