Self-Reported Physical Complaints are Reduced Upon Regular Use of an In-Home Water Filter System (AcalaQuell®): A Prospective, Controlled, Documentation Study

Abstract

Background: The emerging public concern regarding the quality of drinking water has led to an increased interest in household water treatment systems. Many systems reduce contaminants effectively in laboratory tests, at least to some degree, but for the vast majority, their effects in actual use are not investigated. Objective: To test the effectiveness of an in-home water filter system (AcalaQuell® Swing) in reducing health problems under real life conditions. Methods: Twenty participants suffering from cardiovascular ailments, gastrointestinal issues, or fatigue/ exhaustion symptoms were enrolled in the study. In the control condition (three weeks), they consumed 35ml of tap water per kg of body weight daily. After an intermission of one week, they drank the same amount of filtered water in the following three weeks. Results: There was a large reduction in physical complaints after consumption of the filtered water (d = 1.4), and an increase in resiliency to physical and mental stress, cognitive performance, and affectivity (d = 1.0). Conclusion: The AcalaQuell® Swing water filter effectively mitigates health complaints. The effect is not due to expectation, increase in water consumption, decrease of life stress, or spontaneous symptom remission.