Do We Get Vitamin D From Sun Charged Water?

December 26, 2025 •

4 min read

Vitamin D is a crucial nutrient for bone health and immune function, but how we acquire it is often misunderstood. A persistent myth claims you can get vitamin D from sun charged water by simply leaving a bottle of water in the sun.

Quick Summary

The process of leaving water in sunlight does not create vitamin D in the water itself. Vitamin D synthesis is a complex biological process that occurs in the skin and requires a specific chemical precursor, which is not present in water. The myth likely stems from a misunderstanding of how the body interacts with sunlight.

Key Points

No Vitamin D in Sun-Charged Water: It is scientifically impossible for water to absorb or synthesize vitamin D from sunlight because the process requires a biological precursor, 7-dehydrocholesterol, found only in the skin.
Sunlight Disinfects, Not Enriches: Exposing water to sunlight, a process known as SODIS, uses UV rays to destroy pathogens and make water safe, but it does not add any vitamins or minerals.
Vitamin D Synthesis is Complex: The body produces vitamin D through a complex multi-step process involving the skin, liver, and kidneys, which cannot be replicated in a bottle of water.
Beware of Plastic Leaching: Keeping plastic bottles in direct sunlight can cause harmful chemicals to leach into the water, posing a health risk.
Rely on Proven Sources: Safe and effective ways to get vitamin D include moderate sun exposure, fortified foods, and dietary supplements.

Debunking the Myth: How Vitamin D Is Really Made

Contrary to popular claims, leaving a bottle of water in direct sunlight for an extended period does not cause it to produce or absorb vitamin D. The notion that we get vitamin D from sun charged water is biologically and chemically incorrect. Vitamin D synthesis is a specific photochemical reaction that occurs in living tissue, primarily human skin, and is not something water can facilitate.

The Science of Vitamin D Synthesis

For humans to produce vitamin D, the body needs a compound called 7-dehydrocholesterol. This cholesterol precursor is present in the epidermis (the top layer of the skin). When ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from the sun penetrates the skin, it converts 7-dehydrocholesterol into previtamin D3. This previtamin then undergoes a temperature-dependent process to become vitamin D3. From there, the vitamin D3 is transported to the liver and kidneys for further conversions into its active hormonal form. Water is simply not involved in this process because it does not contain the necessary biochemical components.

Can Sunlight 'Charge' Water?

While the sun cannot infuse water with vitamins, sunlight does have a practical and scientifically proven effect on water: disinfection. The process, known as Solar Water Disinfection (SODIS), uses heat and UVA radiation from the sun to destroy or inactivate pathogenic microorganisms like bacteria and viruses. This is not a mystical process but a simple scientific one. The UV rays from the sun damage the DNA of the pathogens, and the heat accelerates the process. This method is a low-cost solution for purifying water in regions with limited access to clean drinking sources, but it has no effect on vitamin content.

Potential Health Risks and True Vitamin D Sources

Placing water in direct sunlight can also carry risks. Using plastic bottles can cause the plastic to degrade, potentially leaching harmful chemicals into the water. Furthermore, if the water is not properly covered, it can become contaminated by dust or other airborne particles, making it unsafe to drink. A much safer and more reliable approach is to get vitamin D through proper sun exposure, fortified foods, and supplements.

Scientific Truths vs. Popular Myths


Feature	Scientific Reality	Sun-Charged Water Myth
Vitamin D Source	Produced internally via skin exposure to UVB rays.	Infused into water by sunlight.
Biological Requirement	Requires a cholesterol precursor, 7-dehydrocholesterol, in the skin.	No biological mechanism or precursor needed; water absorbs it.
Water Interaction	UV rays can disinfect, not enrich with nutrients.	Water becomes a "magical elixir" with enhanced properties.
Safety	Controlled sun exposure and supplements are safe.	Risks from plastic leaching and contamination exist.
Mechanism	Complex photochemical reaction followed by metabolic steps.	Simple energetic transfer from sun to water.

Conclusion: The Truth About Sun Charged Water and Vitamin D

The belief that we get vitamin D from sun charged water is a persistent health myth without any basis in science. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin synthesized in the skin of living organisms when exposed to UVB light, and this process cannot be replicated in water. While exposing water to sunlight can provide a simple method for disinfection, it will not add any vitamins or magical healing properties. For adequate vitamin D intake, relying on balanced sun exposure, fortified foods, and professional-recommended supplements is the only effective and scientifically-backed approach. The best approach to hydration remains drinking clean, safe water, and obtaining vitamins through established dietary and medical practices.

Additional resources

For more detailed information on vitamin D metabolism and reputable sources, consult the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Dietary Supplements.

Lists

True Sources of Vitamin D:

Dietary Sources: Few foods naturally contain significant vitamin D, but some fatty fish like salmon and mackerel, along with egg yolks and beef liver, are exceptions.
Fortified Foods: Many dairy products, cereals, orange juice, and plant-based milks are fortified with vitamin D to increase dietary intake.
Supplements: Oral vitamin D supplements are a reliable way to ensure adequate intake, especially for those with limited sun exposure.
Sunlight Exposure: The most natural source, where UVB rays trigger synthesis in the skin.

Reasons Sun-Charged Water Lacks Vitamin D:

Missing Precursor: Water contains no 7-dehydrocholesterol, the necessary starting molecule.
Biological Process: Vitamin D synthesis is a biological function of living tissue, not a physical property of water.
UV Absorption: Even if a precursor existed, glass bottles can block much of the necessary UVB radiation.
Photo-instability: Vitamin D can be sensitive to light and degrades when exposed to UV radiation in certain conditions, meaning prolonged sun exposure is counterproductive.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, you cannot get vitamin D from drinking sun-charged water. Vitamin D is not created or absorbed by water; it is produced in living skin through a photochemical reaction with UVB radiation.

Your skin contains a cholesterol precursor called 7-dehydrocholesterol. When exposed to UVB rays, this compound is converted into previtamin D3, which then becomes vitamin D3. This process does not happen in water.

Yes, but not for adding vitamins. Exposing water in clear bottles to sunlight, a method called SODIS, can help disinfect it by using UV light to kill harmful pathogens and bacteria. It is a method for purification, not nutritional enrichment.

It may not be safe. When heated by the sun, plastic bottles can leach chemicals into the water, which can be harmful if consumed. Using glass bottles is a safer option if you are using sunlight for disinfection, but it still won't add vitamin D.

The most effective sources are moderate sun exposure on the skin, consuming fortified foods like milk and cereal, and taking vitamin D supplements as recommended by a healthcare professional.

Yes, glass and plastic bottles can have different outcomes. Glass blocks most UVB rays, while some clear plastic bottles allow more through. However, neither will create vitamin D in the water, and plastic poses a risk of chemical leaching.

The myth likely originates from traditional practices, such as Ayurveda (called Surya Jal Chikitsa), that acknowledge the sun's healing power. Over time, scientific understanding has clarified that this "charging" is about energy or disinfection, not vitamin production.