#490: Are You Boiling Tap Water For Tea Or Cooking? Skin Feeling Dry After A Shower? Filter Out Hidden Water Contaminants With Helen Christoni
Today, I’m joined by Helen Christoni, a 20-year wellness veteran, ultramarathon runner, and Chief Business Officer at AquaTru. Helen’s passion for health began in her Greek upbringing, where homemade food and clean living were the norm, but it was her personal health crisis—severe osteoporosis and unexplained fractures—that awakened her to the cumulative impact of toxins in our modern environment, especially from something as fundamental as our water.
Together, we dive into the hidden dangers lurking in our tap and bottled water, why boiling doesn’t remove contaminants (and can actually make them worse), and how low-dose exposures over time can quietly erode our health. Helen breaks down what really happens to municipal water before it reaches your glass, the realities of lead and microplastics, and why even “award-winning” water can contain unsafe ingredients.
Whether you’re just starting to question what’s in your glass or looking for actionable steps to build a healthier home, this episode will give you the knowledge and confidence to make informed choices about water quality—for yourself and your family.
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Learn more from Helen Christoni below:
Website: https://aquatru.com/nat
What We Discuss:
Welcome, guest intro, and curiosity about water quality ... 00:00:00
Cumulative low-dose exposures: why they matter ... 00:04:04
Boiling water concentrates contaminants ... 00:05:09
Shock at home water arsenic levels ... 00:06:44
Municipal water: successes, challenges, and infrastructure ... 00:09:10
Chlorine, chloramine, and disinfection trade-offs ... 00:11:03
Pipe metals, water safety misconceptions ... 00:17:20
Ranking water, air, and food for longevity ... 00:19:18
Arsenic, microplastics, and bottled vs tap ... 00:20:53
Reverse osmosis explained, filtration stages, and waste ... 00:23:44
RO vs carbon: what’s filtered, why certification matters ... 00:27:40
Dead water myths, remineralization, alkaline options ... 00:29:52
Environmental responsibility and water waste ... 00:33:36
Pitchers, faucet, fridge, and RO filter pros/cons ... 00:35:10
Filter choices for renters, families, and wells ... 00:37:39
Under-sink RO, water waste, and hard water tips ... 00:41:35
Filter replacement, performance, and cost ... 00:48:28
How to read performance data and avoid marketing hype ... 00:51:05
Shower filtration, absorption, and why it matters ... 00:53:06
Testing your own shower and water at home ... 00:58:19
Microplastics, fluoride, and science gaps ... 01:01:34
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For Transparency:
Some episodes of the Longevity With Nathalie Niddam podcast are supported by partners whose products or services may be discussed during the show. The host may receive compensation or earn a minor commission if you purchase through affiliate links at no extra cost to you. All opinions shared are those of the host and guests, based on personal experience and research, and do not necessarily represent the views of any sponsor. Sponsorships do not imply medical endorsement or approval by any healthcare provider featured on this podcast.