Wall Water Fountains may be Anecdotal Antidotes

There's no question about it: wall fountains provide a very effective means of beautifying any home or landscape. They are charming little decorations that enhance the character of any space they occupy. But there are those who believe that wall fountains do much more than simply please the eye. Some people think that water fountains provide a number of health benefits as well. But is this claim true?

Unfortunately, one must take these claims with a grain of salt, because there is simply not much concrete fact behind them. The unfortunate thing is that very few impartial studies have been conducted over the years, and those that do often get very little publicity or merit in the scientific community. Some experiments have been conducted, however, that show that there is in fact a correlation between wall fountains and personal health. These water fountains may not "cause" improved wellbeing and healthfulness, but they certainly don't hurt, and may even help... on a small scale. Now we ought to take a look at some of these water fountain health claims.

Some people laud the importance of "negative ions," which are produced by water fountains, and say that these particles improve general respiratory function and strengthen your body's immune system against certain diseases and mental issues.The so called "negative ions" are inappropriately named, as they are not actually ions at all. They are actually a number of negatively charged oxygen and/or nitrogen molecules that are surrounded by water molecules. Studies have shown that these "ions" don't actively clean the air, nor do they produce any great benefits. However, the negatively charged particles in negative ions tend to attract (and subsequently bond to) bioaerosols and dust particles in the air. This dampens these potentially harmful particles, weighing them down until they literally drop to the floor. This does limit the antagonistic effects of common air pollution, which theoretically could lead to improved breathing and air cleanliness. While direct evidence is a little lacking, anecdotally negative ions actually do seem to improve air cleanliness, especially in contained spaces. Your home or office will surely enjoy improved air quality, on a small scale, with the installation of an indoor wall fountain.

Some people have stated that wall fountains may significantly reduce stress, and in some cases, it enhances concentration. I reiterate that there have been few formal studies to prove this, but there is a substantial store of anecdotal evidence. Naturopathic medicine, which emphasizes natural cures for common ailments, implies that sitting by a waterfall, or even an active water fountain, may be effective treatment. Some evidence exists that implies some water fountains may facilitate clear thinking and general mental satisfaction, although listening to a fountain while breathing in the fresh air may not immediately enhance your cognitive capabilities. As previously suggested, these "ions" do have a proclivity for removing malicious airborne agents and bioaerosols from your air, and simultaneously producing more oxygen particles. This means that your brain will be allowed more oxygen with every breath you take, which in turn may mildly improve awareness. In terms of stress relief, I feel that wall fountains are absolutely effective at relaxing a busy mind. Natural sounds have a soothing affect on the mind, in a similar fashion to classical music or gentle lullabies. It is not uncommon for business owners to put wall fountains in their office, as this seems to slightly improve employee morale and alleviate stress. I believe that this correlative relationship is fairly assuring, even if it is evident that no "causal" relationship actually exists.

So it seems that, while the boasts and claims made by fountain manufacturers and online salespersons may not be completely without veracity, they do tend to be deficient in formal scientific proof. But there does seem to be an anecdotal precedent for a correlative relationship between water fountain ownership and overall improved health. In the end, a wall fountain will not cure any disease, though it may modestly help to prevent ailment, and will likely improve your overall wellbeing in a very subtle manner.