A Cross-Sectional Study on the Impact of Reverse Osmosis Water on Vitamin D Levels

Abstract

Introduction: Globally, vitamin D insufficiency is a common health problem affecting the immune system and bone health.

Objectives: This research investigates the association between vitamin D levels and reverse osmosis (RO) treated water consumption among the employees of Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College in Tamaka, Kolar, Karnataka, India.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of 328 people was carried out. Demographic information, food habits, water intake, body fat, BMI, and vitamin D levels were all recorded. To assess the data, Spearman's rank correlation was employed.

 Results: the results revealed that, there were 60.4% men and 39.6% women, while 61.9% of the overall population lived in rural areas and 38.1% in urban areas. 86.3% of individuals did not follow a vegetarian diet, 11.9% were vegetarians, and 1.8% were ovo-vegetarians. 74.7% of participants reported consuming RO water. Among these, RO water consumers had considerably higher rates of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency (84.3% and 94.2%, respectively) than non-RO water consumers. Vitamin D levels and RO water usage were shown to be significantly correlated negatively in rural people (rho = -0.317, p < 0.001), but not significantly correlated in urban residents or non-RO water consumers, according to Spearman's rank correlation.

Conclusions: The consumption of RO water was found to be significantly associated with decreased levels of vitamin D. These results highlight the need for more investigation to clarify the processes underlying this correlation and to devise plans for enhancing vitamin D status in those who drink RO-processed water.