Tag: Deuterium oxide

While naturally occurring, heavy water (D₂O) is lethal to mammals if it constitutes more than 50% of the body's water content. This extreme toxicity at high concentrations brings to light the critical question: does heavy water safe to drink?

While chemically similar to normal water ($H_2O$), heavy water ($D_2O$) has significantly different biological effects on living organisms, and is not recommended for drinking. The human body naturally contains a small, harmless amount of heavy water, with about one in every 20 million water molecules containing deuterium instead of regular hydrogen. However, consuming high concentrations of heavy water can disrupt essential cellular processes, leading to toxicity.

Did you know that your body naturally contains trace amounts of heavy water (D2O), which are completely harmless? The key to whether heavy water is good or bad for you lies not in its presence, but in its concentration.