Many families only use pure water for drinking purposes. However, in reality, water quality also directly affects the safety and nutritional value of daily food. From preliminary processing of ingredients to cooking for young children, using pure water at the right time can significantly reduce potential health risks.
According to Dr. Anil Kumar, chief water scientist at Eureka Forbes (India), there are at least six cases where purified water is needed to ensure food safety and family health.
Wash fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are often exposed to soil, dust, bacteria and pesticide residues during harvesting, transportation and sale. Washing with pure water helps remove these impurities more effectively than with regular tap water, especially when food is eaten raw or minimally processed. This is a simple but necessary step to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal infections.
Cooking baby food or mixing formula milk
Newborns and young children have incomplete immune systems, so they are very sensitive to water quality. Even small amounts of heavy metals, bacteria or residual chemicals can affect health.
Dr. Kumar said that using pure water to cook porridge, steam vegetables, grind food or mix formula milk helps ensure maximum safety for children, limiting the risk of digestive disorders and infections.
Make tea, coffee and daily drinks
Water accounts for the majority of drinks such as tea, coffee or water repellent. Pure water helps remove excess chlorine, minerals and dissolved impurities, thereby improving the flavor of drinks. At the same time, this also limits the accumulation of waste in kettles and coffee makers, making the device more durable.
According to experts, whether it is herbal tea or electrolyte hydration solution, pure water is still a safer choice.
Prepare soup and daily dishes
Many dishes are processed by boiling, steaming or simmering methods, in which water is the component used throughout. If the water source does not ensure quality, pollutants can enter the food during cooking.
Using pure water helps preserve the natural flavor of the dish, while reducing the risk of bacterial contamination, heavy metals and harmful impurities, especially for dishes that take a long time to cook.
Soak beans, rice and grains
Soaking is a common step in food processing, helping to soften beans and grains, make them easier to cook and easier to digest. However, prolonged soaking in unclean water can create conditions for bacteria to develop.
According to Dr. Kumar, using pure water when soaking helps ensure hygiene, improve the texture of ingredients and maintain a better flavor after cooking.
Wash hands before processing food
Food safety does not only start with ingredients but also from personal hygiene habits. Washing hands with pure water before cooking helps limit the risk of bringing bacteria, chemicals or impurities from tap water into food. This is a small step but makes an important contribution to keeping the kitchen clean and safe.
