99.55% of the tap water in Spain it is suitable for consumption. But although the vast majority is safe to drink, its quality depends on many factors, as well as its properties, which vary depending on the location.
The main advantage of tap water compared to bottled water is similarly strict quality controls and the fact that it does not suffer from storage and distribution conditions.
In addition, it does not have an expiration date, as it does with the water that is sold in supermarkets.
OCU study on water
The latest report from the (OCU) indicates that running water has a excellent quality in 19 Spanish localities and good in another 36 municipalities. With Burgos in the lead, thanks to a water with few minerals and without any kind.
Meanwhile, in another seven areas it shows deficiencies, although this does not mean that it is not drinkable.
These cities with the worst tap water, according to the OCU, are Lebanza (Palencia), Ciudad Real, Palma de Mallorca, Arándiga (Zaragoza), Barcelona, Huelva and Logroño.
Although the extraordinary quality of running water in our country is evident, there are certain groups of people who must take scrupulous measures to prevent scares.
What about the first spurt?
One of the recommendations, although very unknown, is to avoid drinking the water from the first stream that comes out of the tap.
This is stated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and is included in the Report of the Scientific Committee of the (AESAN).
This guideline is for people with nickel allergy, which is the most common cause of allergic dermatitis and whose reaction occurs by contact. The consequences are an itchy rash that appears on the skin after contact with this substance, which is generally harmless.
Does drinking water have heavy metals?
The European Union agency establishes, in the aforementioned study, the following:
“Given that some people are particularly sensitive to nickel and that ingesting water with a high concentration of this metal can aggravate allergic phenomena, EFSA recommends not consuming the first stream of water from the tap, due to its high content of metallic elements ( Ni, copper and lead)”.
Nickel is present in water in the form of soluble salts such as chlorides, nitrates, sulfates, carbonates, and hydroxides.
This is due to different reasons:
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The origin of the water itself (swamps, springs, groundwater…)
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The pipes
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faucet materials
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stagnation time.
“In addition, the mining activity, the corrosion and the material of the pipes, the pH, the presence of chlorides and sulphates, the temperature and the residence time of the water in the water distribution pipes determine the levels of metals in drinking water”explains AESAN.
And although the presence of this compound does not have any repercussions on the health of the general population, it can have consequences on people with sensitivity to nickel.
An allergy that usually manifests itself after repeated exposure to this element, which is also present in certain foods, as reiterated by the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition.
What foods are allowed?
Cereals and their derivatives are the largest contributors to dietary nickel exposure, followed by legumes, nuts and oilseeds, vegetables, and sugar and confectionery.
“The low Ni diet should avoid foods with a high Ni content (cocoa, chocolate, legumes) and canned foods, due to ‘migration’ problems.
The consumption of coffee and tea, fatty fish and green leafy vegetables would also be limited, in favor of meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products.
Thus, the Forbidden food’ due to their presence of nickel and which should be avoided or consumed with caution, are:
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Oats, corn and soy.
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Oat milk, soy milk and blue cheese.
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Crustaceans, tuna, salmon, mackerel, hake and herring.
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Plums, pears, kiwi and coconut.
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Pistachio, almonds, peanuts, sesame, flax and pumpkin seeds.
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Chocolate with high cocoa content.
In contrast, these are the foods indicated on a low nickel diet:
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Olive oil.
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Apple, orange, banana, strawberry and tangerine.
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Cucumber, potato, tomato, cabbage, onion and carrot.
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Mushrooms.
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White and integral rice.
Different studies have shown that symptoms only usually appear with an intake greater than 500 micrograms of nickel per day.
What are the symptoms of a nickel allergy?
Contact dermatitis can occur hours to days after exposure to nickel. It usually lasts from 2 to 4 weeks and tends to occur only in those areas that have had contact with this metal.
However, the itch It can occur on the eyelids, creases of the arms and fingers, knees, or the palms of the hands.
You should see a doctor when a skin rash of unknown origin is detected.
You should also consult a specialist if, having been diagnosed with this hypersensitivity, you are suffering an allergic reaction with increased redness, pain and pus in the affected area.
Beyond the first squirt of tap water and certain foods, there are other very commonly used sources of exposure to nickel.
We’re talking jewelry, piercing, belt buckles, keys, electronics, and even chalk.