IBS and tap water...?

[Ctb567]

I have had IBS-C since I was very young and have been taking laxatives ever since and its now pretty much under control. However recently I have had some other health problems and while researching them online I found someone who claimed that they cured their IBS (among a few other problems) within days after he stopped drinking tap water. He believed after doing a load of research and seeing multiple doctors that the chemicals in tap water (such as fluoride) were causing an imbalance of good and bad bacteria in the intestines and this can cause toxins to stay in the body.

I started to do some research into this myself and I found that many other countries with more advanced health systems than in the UK have banned fluoried being added to their drinking water (such as Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Japan, Finland etc). I've also read that some other people believe that their IBS has improved when they started drinking bottled mineral water or started using water filters. Has anyone else tried to stop drinking water to see if it improves anything or have heard of this before?

[ceejayblue]

This sounds like one of those "cures" for diabetes that keeps cropping up all across the internet. Can't believe that its true and seems to me more like something to get people spending money on unnecessary bottled water and water filters.

[jointpain]

Hi just a comment, I live in the wilds of Wales and rely on spring water not mains water, which is great, I am intolerant to many things one of which is tap water from friends and family's taps, I notice that if I have a drink of water or a hot drink at their house I often bloat with a lot of discomfort, Even the taste of the water can cause me to ask for the tap to be run for a while, I am often thirsty for my 'own spring water' Even in France the tap water I get in our house there is straight from the pyrenees so is pure and no problem.

[foxkennedy21]

Hi fellow sufferer this sounds like an old wife's tale to me or rubbish in other words! I don't now believe much the doctors say. Good luck finding the truth out!

[Hidden]

I've had IBS for 12 yrs and I started drinking bottled water then, since then I've been drinking filtered water and I have chronic IBS. I agree with the last post ,it's a load of rubbish. I'm afraid we're being told a lot of rubbish when it comes to IBS.

[Musicmitchy]

It's funny, because I never ever drank tap water. Then a few months ago, my wife and I decided to stop buying bottled water.. We started drinking tap water. I'm in Canada so there is fluoride in the water. About two months in I was diagnosed with IBS.. and before that I went through all this weird gut stuff. I never put it together, or connected the two until the other day when i was going through everything that I have been doing, to try and explain why this was happening... I wonder.

[Larry1234]

I agree

I live in London and I’m always rushing to the toilet after drinking tap water

When I’m up north I don’t have the problem although I’m still drinking tap water

London water is hard

[loveyourbunny in reply to Larry1234]

London water is recycled and what you are drinking has probably been through other peoples bodies many many times. Not nice! Bottled or filter is best or get a borehole sunk on your property if you can afford it.Kay

[Kim456]

Hi I live in Caribbean. In my area we use desalination water, and in recent times I have found that I have been unable to drink the water . Taste wise, the look of it and there have been colon discomfort, cramps, and runny tummy. It has been two weeks and I have seen a significant improvement in my symptoms by drinking bottled water (which has a number of minerals in it ) i

[Maureen1958]

This took me back, reading this today. I used to live in kent, just outside of London, and have had IBS nearly 35 years. When I moved to surrey about 30 years ago, it got worse (more runny - I had IBS(D) at the time). So I phoned the local water board to make some enqiries but got nowhere so I tried bottle water but it didn't seem to do anything to help me. Sorry folks!

[Havanapizza]

Hi not sure if this helps but since me and my partner moved into our new flat we both started getting symptoms of ibs she has been confirmed having it by her Dr but since the coronavirus I have not yet been to drs but after we both stopped drinking tap water and moved onto bottled water we have both said that the pain and symptoms have gone I would suggest for more people to at least give it a try and see how it goes and please reply as our tap water should not be causing ibs and should be safe to drink

[Boxroad]

Did you stop the tap water? I have not been able to tolerate tap water for a few years now, and I can only tolerate certain bottled water.