Can low levels of arsenic in drinking water increase your risk of type 2 diabetes?

What's actually in it

Arsenic is a naturally occurring element that gets into drinking water from rock and soil. It's also released by mining and industrial processes. Many private wells and some public water systems contain arsenic, sometimes at levels below the legal limit but still high enough to affect health. You can't see, taste, or smell it in water.

What the research says

A 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis in Eur J Epidemiol looked at whether low-level arsenic exposure through drinking water increases diabetes risk. The pooled results from multiple studies showed that even at concentrations below current safety limits, arsenic exposure was linked to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes.

Arsenic disrupts how your body handles insulin and blood sugar. Long-term exposure, even at low doses, may damage the pancreatic beta cells that produce insulin. Millions of people worldwide drink water with arsenic levels in this concerning range.

Test your well water for arsenic. If levels are above 10 parts per billion, install a reverse osmosis or activated alumina filter. Even if your water meets the legal limit, filtering can reduce your exposure further.