Do Water Filters Remove Fluoride?
The answer is yes — but not all filters are designed to do so.
Most standard carbon filters, like the ones in jugs or basic under-sink systems, do a great job at removing chlorine, taste, and odours, but they won't remove fluoride. To actually reduce fluoride, you need a filter designed for that specific job.
If you're serious about removing fluoride from your tap water, here are the most effective options: Reverse Osmosis (RO) Systems
These are widely considered the most reliable way to reduce fluoride. A high-quality reverse osmosis system can remove up to 95–97% of fluoride, along with other contaminants like heavy metals, chlorine, and nitrates.
Local providers like 'Filpure' offer reverse osmosis systems tailored for Australia & Sydney water, which contains fluoride and other common additives.
These are widely considered the most reliable way to reduce fluoride. A high-quality can remove up to 95–97% of fluoride, along with other contaminants like heavy metals, chlorine, and nitrates. Local providers like 'Filpure' offer reverse osmosis systems tailored for Australia & Sydney water, which contains fluoride and other common additives. Activated Alumina Filters
These are sometimes used in countertop or whole house systems. They're effective but less common than RO systems and typically slower.
These are sometimes used in countertop or whole house systems. They're effective but less common than RO systems and typically slower. Carbon Water Filters
Another fluoride-removal method, though not as widely available in Australia.
If fluoride removal is important to you, always double-check that the filter you're buying is specifically tested for it. Just because a product says 'removes chemicals' doesn't mean it tackles fluoride.
Fluoride is considered safe and beneficial for dental health at low levels, according to Australian health authorities. However, some people are more sensitive to it or prefer to avoid any unnecessary additives in their drinking water, especially for infants, people with thyroid issues, or those already getting fluoride from other sources.
It really comes down to personal preference.
If you're looking to remove fluoride from your tap water in Sydney, a standard jug filter won't cut it. A reverse osmosis system is your best bet for clean, fluoride-free water. Many locals now choose this type of Sydney water filter not just for fluoride removal, but also for improving overall water taste and purity.
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19 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
Americans Reveal How US Food Makes Them Sick Compared To Food Abroad
We all know food can affect how we feel — but for many people who've traveled abroad, the difference between how their body reacts to food in the US versus other countries is downright shocking. When u/Temporary-Night-275 shared their experience of feeling healthier, more clear-headed, and less inflamed after just two weeks in Italy, it struck a deep chord with thousands of others. Their post — which detailed everything from improved digestion to clearer skin and a deep frustration with the US food system — kicked off a massive thread full of stories from people who felt the exact same way: "I'm just so mad at the food in the US. I left for two weeks to Italy. My mood was better, my awareness was better. I could eat wheat (I'm extremely gluten intolerant, and it messes with my autoimmune disease if I eat it, among a multitude of other symptoms) with gluten pills with minor bloating. I had some of the best food, best health feelings (other than muscle soreness from walking so much), I've ever had in my life. It's made me have so much resentment for US food. I mean, even my skin cleared up quite a bit overseas. I eat pretty healthy — I love snacking on veggies. It just makes me so mad that having any kind of sugar is just too much here. Sugar, wheat, and whatever else are just so much harder on my body here than in Italy. I want to move." "We just spent a month between France and Italy. I ate a metric ton of carbs, full fat dairy, sugar, etc. and lost 6 lbs. I walked just as many steps there as I do at home and go to the gym five days a week lifting heavy." "I went to Italy for 15 days. We ate like fat Americans on vacation. Pizza, pasta, wine, double entrees at every restaurant because we knew we might not ever get to go back — every single day we ate so much. Lost 17 lbs. I couldn't believe it." "I went to Aruba for 10 days, ate like a queen at five-star restaurants, drank liquor almost every day, and still lost 4 pounds. We're being poisoned here and without shame. The food industry is getting rich in exchange for our health. Then the healthcare facilities get their cut, too." "I'm an Australian who visited the US last year. I was weirdly excited to try the food there because the US has such a big food culture that I thought it would at least be really flavorsome. But I ended up being quite disappointed. It seems like the food there is just full of 'filler' ingredients with very little nutrients while also lacking in flavor. The food there made me feel like crap and didn't even taste good." "When I first moved to the US, I gained 60 whole pounds. My habits didn't actually change much but everyone I know who's come here from a different country has a similar story to tell." "I have SIBO — huge gut issues. Can't eat wheat among many other things. When I travel abroad I rarely have issues. Just got back from Africa where I ate everything and was actually better." "My brother's SO is from Singapore. They regularly mention how sugary and sweet everything is in the US. With health trends like fasting and keto, I almost feel like that speaks for itself. Our food is so bad here people choose to not eat or completely cut out certain foods they sell here because it will help lose or manage weight. But the issue isn't even the type of food, it's what's in our food. Other countries have diets that are extremely carb heavy, and you'll still see people that are skinny as hell and relatively healthier. The quality of our food is garbage." "My wife is Filipino but lived in Singapore for 10 years before coming to America. She constantly expresses her thoughts on how salty and sweet all this processed food is here." "I live in Canada and thought our two countries were pretty close for most fast food, but everything is sweeter in the US. And the sad thing is that kids are given this sugar-laden food at a very young age, so they just adapt to it. We got donuts with some friends, and the only thing I could taste was sugar. I said, 'Wow, these are so sweet,' and they just said they were normal. A Canadian donut chain here was bought by an American company, and instead of cooking fresh in store, they started to bring in frozen, and everything is now coated in a thick sugary glaze. I hope we aren't going down the same path." "I have a friend who is a high ranking EU regulatory pharmacist. He tells me that, for example, the EU does not allow the routine use of antibiotics in animal feed. It is allowed in the US." "Have you even been to Germany? I grew up there, and I swear pretty much every single meal is carb-based. Even if it isn't, some form of carb is still a major component. I mean, Germany is known for its bread and bakeries. The sheer number of bakeries you see in Germany that sell hundreds of breads and other flour-based products is wild. And then I moved to the US, where the general sentiment is 'bread makes you fat,' and apparently the best way to get healthier or lose weight is to significantly lower or completely cut out carbs." "I was in Mexico a couple of years ago, and my stomach and digestive system were never better. I came back to the States and immediately went back to having a sick body." "It's because we use sugars and corn syrups as preservatives in almost everything as a handout to the American farm industry (got to figure out what to do with all that corn after all). Things you would never think should have it in them have tons of sugar. It makes us sluggish and bigger. Combine that with a way more sedentary lifestyle than European and Asian countries, and it's no wonder we're so unhealthy." "I had a chance to go to Japan and France last year. I had an incredible time with the food. I feel like my tummy is always so sensitive and upset at home in the US, but nothing bothered me there. Plus, all the city walking was great. Lost some weight both times traveling — despite eating whatever I wanted because I had 'vacation mindset' and wasn't going to limit myself. Wild." "One thing that opened my eyes traveling back and forth from North America to Asia is how much damn sugar is in almost all drinks. Outside of diet soda and black coffee, buying an unsweetened bottle of tea is almost impossible. Americans and Canadians drink so many of our calories, and those are the easiest calories to not keep track of." "My mom (Canadian) has endless gut issues and is gluten intolerant, too. Every time she goes to Spain, her stomach stays flat and she feels great. It's terrifying!" "I go to Germany frequently for work. When I'm there, I eat and drink like a damn pig: chocolate croissants and bacon and cereal every day for breakfast, pizza and kebabs for lunch, big meals out with a bunch of beer every night. Without fail, I've lost weight when I get home." "I had the opposite — I'm a Brit and went to the US for two weeks earlier this year. The first few days, I found all the food tasted And artificial? By the end of the two weeks, though, I was loving it (and borderline addicted to the sugar and salt). It was wild how quickly my perception of it changed. I felt so groggy those couple of weeks, too. Couldn't wait to get back to boring old English food!" "I was in Costa Rica last month — for only a little over a week — but I felt so much better. So much energy, more regular digestion. My lifelong struggle with cystic and fungal acne also cleared up in a matter of days, only to return within five days of being back in the States." "Americans also eat too fast because we don't have labor protections to protect our lunch hours, don't have maternity care so parents are frazzled and over-scheduled at dinner time, have an 'on the go' culture (try getting a to-go coffee in Italy and see how that goes), don't have health insurance, and don't live in walkable cities." "I lived abroad for 20 years. Every country I lived in or visited was far more in touch with their historic food cultures and foodways than most Americans. They valued quality, fresh ingredients. They didn't consider cooking a chore. And they generally ate far less fast food and overprocessed stuff than we do. But the sad fact is that when you only get half an hour for lunch and are working two jobs to make ends meet, at the end of the day, you only have energy to stick a Hot Pocket in the microwave and shove it in your mouth." "Every time I go to Europe, my face clears up within days. I eat whatever I want there and my skin is perfect. I know it's the food. I have spent months meticulously taking out each and every food from my diet to see what's causing it. Whole food groups and individual foods. I even did without coffee for two weeks in desperation since it was the last thing I had left to try. I can't figure out the culprit or culprits. I think it's pesticides, since I don't eat processed food. But I can't be sure." "I've visited the US twice for just over a week. The first time I visited, I couldn't get over the bread. It tasted like brioche because it was so sweet. Luckily, we could go to the supermarket, so we could get fruit and veg (which was all huge, which was nice). But whenever we did get fast food (airports), the portions were absolutely massive. I got a medium meal from McDonald's, and it was bigger than the large in my country. The second time I visited, I was a little more prepared, but after a few days, both my friend and I were craving vegetables that weren't green beans." "My wife is from Australia and came to live with me in the States. Until she and I got together, I honestly never knew how bad our food was. Her first real moment was before we were married. A friend of hers sent a gift package full of Aussie treats, including a tiny jar of Vegemite. She ran to put some on toast and immediately spit it out. She looked into it and realized how much sugar is in the bread, which clashed with the Vegemite. We moved to Australia several years ago, and I commented on how 'bland' and 'flavorless' the food here is. But the reality is, I had to adjust to much lower sugar and salt levels." "I spent three weeks in the US, and it took me 3-4 months to recover. It's the land of the free: free to sell crap to the customers." "Beyond the food, vacations usually help a lot with stress too. When I was in Italy, we walked like 15 miles a day, so I was a lot more active as well. We took our time and it really cleared my head. It's very possible that some of the stressors in your day-to-day life are also contributing to these negative stomach issues. But yeah, the food is definitely cleaner there, too." "Back when I was working in retail (a multinational company), we had chocolate training and we were told that chocolate from the US is sweeter than in Europe due to their market demands. Also, I lost 3 kg during my first trip to US because I couldn't eat. The food was too heavy and fabricated. Plus, these packs of 'easy' mac 'n' cheese are disgusting. I wanted to give it a try because I was craving the 'full American experience,' but I faced an intense episode of acid reflux that traumatized me." Have you noticed a difference in how your body feels when eating food abroad compared to the US? Do you think it's the ingredients, the lifestyle, or something bigger? Share your thoughts or experiences in the comments below!
Time Business News
a day ago
- Time Business News
The Ultimate Guide to Butterfly Pea Flower Tea: Benefits, Uses & How to Enjoy It
Have you ever seen a tea that's blue? No, this isn't a magic trick — it's Butterfly Pea Flower Tea! This vibrant herbal tea is made from the petals of the Clitoria ternatea plant, native to Southeast Asia. It's not just pretty; it's packed with surprising benefits for your health and wellness. As recently highlighted by Time Business News, natural herbal teas like butterfly pea flower tea are becoming a popular trend worldwide due to their health benefits and Instagram-worthy aesthetics. The stunning deep blue color is the signature of this tea. Add a few drops of lemon, and it magically transforms into a vibrant purple! The flavor? Mild, earthy, slightly woody, with subtle floral notes — smooth enough to enjoy on its own or blended with other herbs and flavors. Packed with antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins, which help fight free radicals in the body, reducing inflammation and preventing premature aging. Feeling tense? This tea has natural stress-reducing properties. Sip it warm to calm your nerves after a long day. It contains flavonoids that boost collagen production, helping improve skin elasticity and promote healthy hair growth. As also noted in Climax Times, butterfly pea flower tea isn't just a beverage but also a beauty enhancer, often used for improving skin glow and hair strength. Known in Ayurveda and traditional medicine to support memory, focus, and cognitive function. A warm cup after meals can help soothe your digestive system, reduce bloating, and improve gut health. Super convenient! Just steep like regular tea. Perfect for beginners or for use at work. Ultra-versatile! Use it not only for tea but also in smoothies, lattes, desserts, and even cosmetics. The most traditional form. You can control the strength and blend it with other herbs easily. Boil water (around 90°C/194°F). Steep 1 tea bag for 4-5 minutes. Enjoy it as is, or add lemon for color change! Mix 1 tsp of powder in hot water. Stir until fully dissolved. Great for making lattes or adding to food. Add 1 tablespoon of dried flowers to hot water. Steep for 5-7 minutes. Strain and enjoy! Use filtered water for better taste. Steeping longer deepens the color but can turn the flavor woody. Adding honey or lemon enhances both flavor and visual appeal. Simple and soothing. Just steep the flowers or tea bag and sip. Brew double strength, pour over ice, and enjoy on hot days. Brew the tea and cool it. Mix with lemonade. Watch it change from blue to purple — kids love this trick! Warm milk (dairy or plant-based). Mix with pea flower powder. Add honey for sweetness. Bartenders love using this tea to create Instagram-worthy drinks that change color! The anthocyanins in the flower react to pH. Adding something acidic, like lemon, shifts the color from blue to purple or pink. Cool, right? Mix the powder with yogurt or honey for an antioxidant-rich face mask. Brew strong tea, let it cool, and use as a final hair rinse to promote shine and scalp health. Add to pancake or waffle batter for a magical breakfast. Create blue rice for stunning meals. Use as a natural food coloring in cakes, icing, and desserts. Look for organic brands like The Tea Spot, Buddha Teas, or VAHDAM. Choose reputable suppliers like Suncore Foods or Bluechai for pure, food-grade powder. Keep in airtight containers. Store in a cool, dark place. Avoid moisture to preserve potency and color. Generally safe for most people, but: Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult a doctor. Overconsumption may cause mild nausea in sensitive individuals. Grown mainly in Thailand, Malaysia, and other Southeast Asian countries. The plant is nitrogen-fixing, helping improve soil health — an eco-friendly crop! Supporting butterfly pea products supports local farmers and sustainable agriculture. Butterfly Pea Flower Tea is more than just a pretty drink — it's a powerhouse of health benefits, a culinary delight, and a fun science experiment in your teacup. Whether you enjoy it in tea bags, powder form, or as loose flowers, it's a versatile herbal remedy worth adding to your daily routine. It has a mild, earthy, and slightly woody flavor with a subtle floral touch. Yes! It's 100% caffeine-free, making it perfect for any time of the day. Absolutely. Daily consumption is safe for most people and beneficial thanks to its antioxidants. The antioxidants and flavonoids stimulate scalp circulation, promoting healthier hair growth and strength. Yes, in moderate amounts. In fact, kids love watching it change color with lemon! TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Buzz Feed
2 days ago
- Buzz Feed
If Treating Your Dog Makes You Happy, Then You'll Want To Look At These 25 Products
A pint of doggy ice cream that comes in four decadent (if I do say so myself) flavors: maple bacon, peanut butter, sprinkles, and vanilla. Simply add water, freeze, and prepare to be your pup's new favorite parent. A pack of EcoKind's Himalayan yak cheese chews that not only taste delicious (and no, we're not lying, Dr. Dolittle himself confirmed) but last for quite a while, making it a tasty and mentally stimulating treat. Promising reviews: "We were skeptical at first because the dogs weren't quite sure about them, but we can't let ourselves be caught without them now. Our 9-year-old male Australian Cattle Dog likes them occasionally, but our two under-a-year females love them, fight over them, and even fall asleep chewing on them!We especially like these smaller-sized pieces because the longer ones we got before seemed to lose favor with the dogs after a while, but these they can finish and not leave for me to find in strange places." —Danny Scarbro"I have a very easily bored, mischief-prone Australian shepherd-poodle mix, and these are a godsend. They don't stink, she loves them, they last far longer than other edible chew toys, and she remains interested in them all the way to the end. I was so happy to find these on Subscribe & Save at a good price." —Philly TransplantGet a four-pack from Amazon for $26.95 (also available in other pack sizes). A bag of Milk-Bone Pill Pouches because let's face it: there's nothing more frustrating then seeing your pooch spit out the (very expensive) pills that their vet prescribed. This makes the whole ordeal easy-easy. Promising review: "My pittie takes four pills a day. He hated the Greenies Pill Pockets, and I've tried sooo many other ways until I gave up and bought a mini fridge to keep lunch meats for his twice-daily meds. Then I saw these and figured, why not try? OH MY GOSH! He absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVES these treats. So much so that he can watch me put his meds inside them before he eats them; I have both chicken and bacon flavors. I am so grateful for this fast, easy, and large treat that I can put two allergy pills in one and two medications in the other, easily. The treats are very pliable to squeeze around the pills so if I toss it in the air and he misses (rare) I do not worry about the medications getting out. I buy both flavors each month, giving me 50 treats. So at the end of the month, when I am Houdini and making everything fit, it has yet to be a problem because again, they're big enough. 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A Dash dog-treat maker that functions like its waffle maker counterpart: simply plug it in, fill with batter, and et voila, the button will shine green when ready. A set of two lick mats you can smear with peanut butter or yogurt for a tasty puzzle that'll keep 'em occupied (and not barking) during that Zoom meeting. Promising review: "We have a dog that gets stressed with fireworks, so every holiday that involves fireworks, we fill this up, freeze it, and she's happy. Be careful leaving them alone with it because my other dog tore it up once the treat was gone." —AlyGet them from Chewy for $13.99. A treat-dispensing toy so playtime can last for hours. These toy balls are designed to interlock for bigger dogs, too. An allergy supplement that helps promote healthy skin, with probiotics to keep your dog from painfully itching and gnawing. An ice bandana to keep your pup feeling (and looking TBQH) cool during the hot, humid months of summer. A elevated outdoor bed that lingers eight inches above the ground. TL;DR; it allows air to pass through to keep your pup cool, all while the canopy roof prevents the sunshine from beating down on 'em directly. A wheat-free peanut butter cake mix crafted specifically for dogs (!!!) so you can shower them with love and baked goods on their special day like you would any other bestie. I simply can't imagine anything cuter. Promising review: "This was a huge hit, both of our chocolate labs LIVE for peanut butter. Instead of the yogurt icing, I melted some actual peanut butter in the microwave and used that as icing instead. Chuckie could barely wait for it to bake!" —aim1030 Get it from Amazon for $9.99. An anxiety jacket that applies gentle pressure for quasi-hug, helping to keep pups calm during stressful situations: flights, car rides, thunderstorms, fireworks, etcetera. Promising review: "This is my first Fourth of July with my rescue dog, and I didn't know how she was going to react to fireworks. I bought this ahead of time just in case, and I'm so glad I did. She started shaking and panting as soon as they started going off. I put this on her and she almost immediately stopped trembling, and now she is asleep! I honestly had my doubts that something so simple would work." —weezGet it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in seven sizes and two colors). A snuggle puppy stuffed toy for pups who suffer from separation anxiety and need a hint of extra attention. Be still my heart, but this stuffed animal is designed with a heart that beats to make them feel less alone. And I'm sorry but now I can't stop crying. A large duck chew toy that reviewers (myself included) rave about for its durability. This lil' guy is truly the gift that keeps on giving because you won't have to replace it after a mere few days — my Frenchie has been chewing on the same one for ~five months now and it's still going strong.* Promising review: "My English Mastiff (and the biggest baby ever) loves his ducky. He has ripped up other toys, but not his beloved duck. He has had it for a few months now and brings it everywhere around the house with him, even sleeps snuggled up with it. I don't know why dogs seem to love this toy so much, but I would highly recommend purchasing." —KristenGet one from Amazon for $7.90. A pet sofa so cozy that they may even refrain from taking up all the space in your bed at night. And in addition to a more restful night's sleep? This'll look quite chic in your apartment. A hide-and-seek plushie that encourages curious doggos to dig around. And the design? Let's just say it makes playtime even ~sweeter~. Promising review: "My dog loves the little bees. However, I don't think she's quite clever enough to get them out of the burrow. My kitten is the one who retrieves the bees, and the dog gets excited to steal them from her! Overall, I love this for both of my fur babies." —scarevansGet it from Target for $14.59. A grooming rake designed for breeds with thick, coarse far. And while this is a practical find for you (and your home), doggos also seem to find it soothing! Promising review: "FANTASTIC. My dog LOVES this grooming too. He sits there and just chills. The other tools that I used were definitely not his thing. If I could give this item a 10, I would." —Coach RoyGet it from Amazon for $14.95+ (available in a variety of colors). A cave bed if your pooch is anything like mine and demands to be covered on a whim but can't quite burrow under a blanket. This is the no-frills solution they've been waiting for you to buy. Promising review: "We bought this bed about a month ago for our boxer mix. She gets very chilly in the winters, even in the south. From day one she has loved this bed. She dive rolls into it. The added bonus is that she now prefers to sleep in what we call her 'taco' and doesn't jump in our bed at all anymore. So all of us are sleeping better." —ShellyATLGet it from Amazon for $39.59+ (available in two sizes). A hair-removing glove that is the best kind of grooming tactic. Why? All you'll have to do is give your doggo some pets and they'll be snoring before you know it. Promising review: "My dog has long fur (double coat) and she tolerates it when I use the slicker brush, but she actually relaxed and settled in when I brushed her with this. The only drawback, which wasn't enough to take off a whole star, is that the velcro has sharp corners and pokes my wrist a little when I move around. That won't stop me from using it, though, because my dog gives it two enthusiastic paws up." —Amazon CustomerGet it from Amazon for $7.99. Waterproof booties to protect their toe beans from rain, sleet, snow, debris, and hot pavement. And now that summer's here, it's great for something my dog personally refuses to do: hike. Promising review: "I bought these for my staffy. We live in New England, and in the winter, the trail behind our home gets very wet and then freezes over, which cuts up her feet on our walks several times a day. Her paws get so raw that she will limp around the house and leave trails of blood. We tried wrapping her paws in vet wrap, different barrier ointments, etc, but it was never enough or she would lick/chew it off. I never thought she would tolerate boots, but we were desperate enough to try. She ended up doing great with them and was so excited to play outside with our Shepherd mix! She does periodically stop and try to bite at the boots but is easily redirected. The boots are easy to put on her and stay on really well, though she is a very submissive dog so it might be more difficult with other dogs." —Anonymous Get it from Amazon for $28.99+ (available in eight sizes and seven colors). A snuffle toy made with a hidden squeaker and blissfuly waterproof fabric, ideal for drool-y dogs that expect you to throw their toy over and over when it's covered in slobber. Promising review: "It's adorable, durable…and so, so cute! My dog has been loving it since it arrived a week ago. It's still here, too, so that's a plus!!! I'd re-order this toy gladly. Puppy approved!!" —Lastminmom Get it from Target for $12.99. A portable paw cleaner to avoid dragging the remnants of outside into your clean home. Just add a little water, put each paw inside to be scrubbed by the silicone bristles, and that's it. Clean paws within seconds and helps your pooch avoid bath time. An activity mat designed with puzzles that require solving in order for your pooch to get their treat, helping them to remain boredom-free *and* hone their foraging skills. A dog ball launcher to play fetch without the burden of having to run after every single tennis ball you throw into the ether. A magic link leash that can be worn as belt, a crossbody, or around your wrist, which is great because a: it means they won't be able to run off and b: will prevent you from pulling their collar.
