Abstract
Medicinal mineral water, being provided by recognized immunosuppressive properties, results useful for treating many pathological conditions. A well-known source of sulfurous and oligomer medicinal mineral waters is located in Caramanico Terme (Pescara, Italy). Caramanico Terme is a small town in the Majella’s National Park, and its precious and peculiar environment offers a medicinal mineral water (also known as cures or crenotherapy), that since 1576 is administrated to a large number of patients (around 15,000 per year). However, no scientific conclusions on the efficacy of Caramanico’s Terme medicinal mineral water properties are available. Therefore, we have carried out an epidemiological study, enrolling a population of 370 subjects that have received crenotherapy. Such a population has been also compared to a control group of individuals (untreated, N = 287), never undergone any medicinal mineral water administration. Detailing the geomorphological characteristics of Caramanico Terme environment, we have also analyzed the results of the study that showed that pathology-relapses, as well as related manifestations of symptoms and drug employments, were largely reduced after one or more cycles of crenotherapy. On the other hand, a sub-group of subjects receiving crenotherapy for more than 5 years (N = 166) presented a highly reduced prevalence of a large spectrum of pathologies (cardiovascular, inflammatory, neurological and cancer diseases), with respect to an overlapping population (in terms of age and genders) of untreated subjects. We have also clarified the role of aging and long-term effects of medicinal mineral–water administration. Altogether, these data indicated that the clinical employment of Caramanico’s Terme medicinal mineral water produces short- as well as long-term beneficial effects, both with respect to the amelioration of life quality of patients and in reducing the probability to develop major disabling pathologies (i.e., cardiovascular, cancer and neurological diseases). Therefore, these data will open novel strategies for a larger application of crenotherapy.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
analisi_epidem_abruzzo.pdf. (n.d.). http://www.salute.gov.it/portale/temi/documenti/PNP/Abruzzo_Allegato_A.pdf.
Araujo, A. R. T. S., Sarraguça, M. C., Ribeiro, M. P., et al. (2017). Physicochemical fingerprinting of thermal waters of Beira Interior region of Portugal. Environmental Geochemistry and Health,39, 483. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-016-9829-x.
Awadh, S. M., & Al-Ghani, S. A. (2014). Assessment of sulfurous springs in the west of Iraq for balneotherapy, drinking, irrigation and aquaculture purposes. Environmental Geochemistry and Health,36, 359. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-013-9555-6.
Bianchi Fasani, G., Di Luzio, E., Esposito, C., Martino, S., & Scarascia Mugnozza, G. (2011). Numerical modelling of Plio-Quaternary slope evolution based on geological constraints: A case study from the Caramanico Valley (Central Apennines, Italy). Geological Society of London Special Publications,351, 201–214.
Bini, C., Dall’Aglio, M., Ferretti, O., et al. (1988). Background levels of microelements in soils of Italy. Environmental Geochemistry and Health,10, 63. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01758593.
Braga, P. C., Sambataro, G., Dal Sasso, M., Culici, M., Alfieri, M., & Nappi, G. (2008). Antioxidant effect of sulfurous thermal water on human neutrophil bursts: Chemiluminescence evaluation. Respiration,75(2), 193–201. https://doi.org/10.1159/000107976.
Carbajo, J. M., & Maraver, F. (2017). Sulfurous mineral waters: New applications for health. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/8034084.
Carretero, M. I. I. (2002). Clay minerals and their beneficial effects upon human health. A review. Applied Clay Science,21(3–4), 155–163. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-1317(01)00085-0.
Contoli, M., Gnesini, G., Forini, G., Marku, B., Pauletti, A., Padovani, A., et al. (2013). Reducing agents decrease the oxidative burst and improve clinical outcomes in COPD patients: A randomised controlled trial on the effects of sulfurous thermal water inhalation. Scientific World Journal,2013, 927835. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/927835.
Environmental Protection Agency. Sulfur in groundwater https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/HEALTHYENVIRONMENTS/DRINKINGWATER/SOURCEWATER/Documents/gw/SulfurInGroundwater.pdf.
Fioravanti, A., Cantarini, L., Guidelli, G. M., & Galeazzi, M. (2011). Mechanisms of action of spa therapies in rheumatic diseases: What scientific evidence is there? Rheumatology International,31(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-010-1628-6.
Funiciello, R., Parrotto, M., Praturlon, A. (1981) Carta tettonica d’Italia alla scala 1:1500000. C.N.R., Pubbl. n.269.
Gemici, B., & Wallace, J. L. (2015). Anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective properties of hydrogen sulfide. Methods in enzymology (1st ed., Vol. 555). Amsterdam: Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.mie.2014.11.034.
Ghersetich, I., & Lotti, T. M. (1996). Immunologic aspects: Immunology of mineral water spas. Clinics in Dermatology,14(6), 563–566. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0738-081X(96)00085-5.
Gomes, C. F. (2018). Geochemistry and quality of groundwater of the Yarmouk basin aquifer, north Jordan. Environmental Geochemistry and Health,40, 1739. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-016-9903-4.
Gutenbrunner, C., Bender, T., Cantista, P., & Karagülle, Z. (2010). A proposal for a worldwide definition of health resort medicine, balneology, medical hydrology and climatology. International Journal of Biometeorology,54(5), 495–507. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-010-0321-5.
Keller, S., König, V., & Mösges, R. (2014). Thermal water applications in the treatment of upper respiratory tract diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Allergy,2014, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/943824.
Nanni, T., & Rusi, S. (2003). Idrogeologia del massiccio carbonatico della montagna della Majella (Appennino centrale) Boll. Soc. Geol. It., 122 (2003), 173–202, 27 ff., 9 tabb., 2 tavv. f.t.
Nieuwenhuijsen, M. J. (2005). Design of exposure questionnaires for epidemiological studies. Occupational and Environmental Medicine,62(4), 272–280. https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.2004.015206.
Ottaviano, G., Marioni, G., Giacomelli, L., La Torre, F. B., Staffieri, C., Marchese-Ragona, R., et al. (2012). Smoking and chronic rhinitis: Effects of nasal irrigations with sulfurous-arsenical-ferruginous thermal water: A prospective, randomized, double-blind study. American Journal of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Medicine and Surgery,33(6), 657–662. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjoto.2012.03.002.
Pearce, N. (2012). Classification of epidemiological study designs. International Journal of Epidemiology,41(2), 393–397. https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dys049.
Petraccia, L., Liberati, G., Giuseppe Masciullo, S., Grassi, M., & Fraioli, A. (2006). Water, mineral waters and health. Clinical Nutrition,25(3), 377–385. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2005.10.002.
Prandelli, C., Parola, C., Buizza, L., Delbarba, A., Marziano, M., Salvi, V., et al. (2013). Sulfurous thermal water increases the release of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and modulates antioxidant enzyme activity. International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology,26(3), 633–646. https://doi.org/10.1177/039463201302600307.
Routh, H. B., Bhowmik, K. R., Parish, L. C., & Witkowski, J. A. (1819). Balneology, mineral water, and spas in historical perspective. Clinics in Dermatology,14, 551–554. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0738-081X(96)00083-1.
Salami, A., Dellepiane, M., Crippa, B., Mora, F., Guastini, L., Jankowska, B., et al. (2008). Sulfurous water inhalations in the prophylaxis of recurrent upper respiratory tract infections. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology,72(11), 1717–1722. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2008.08.014.
Sieghart, D., Liszt, M., Wanivenhaus, A., Bröll, H., Kiener, H., Klösch, B., et al. (2015). Hydrogen sulfide decreases IL-1β-induced activation of fibroblast-like synoviocytes from patients with osteoarthritis. Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine,19(1), 187–197. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcmm.12405.
Soria, M., González-Haro, C., Esteva, S., Escanero, J. F., & Pina, J. R. (2014). Effect of sulfurous mineral water in haematological and biochemical markers of muscle damage after an endurance exercise in well-trained athletes. Journal of Sports Sciences,32(10), 954–962. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2013.868921.
Stier-Jarmer, M., Kus, S., Frisch, D., Sabariego, C., & Schuh, A. (2015). Health resort medicine in non-musculoskeletal disorders: Is there evidence of its effectiveness? International Journal of Biometeorology,59(10), 1523–1544. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-015-0953-6.
Vaccarezza, M., & Vitale, M. (2010). Crenotherapy: A neglected resource for human health now re-emerging on sound scientific concepts. International Journal of Biometeorology,54(5), 491–493. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-010-0311-7.
Valitutti, S., Castellino, F., & Musiani, P. (1990). Effect of sulfurous (thermal) water on T lymphocyte proliferative response. Ann Allergy,65(6), 463–468.
Van Tubergen, A., & Van der Linden, S. (2002). A brief history of spa therapy. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases,61(3), 273–275. https://doi.org/10.1136/ard.61.3.273.
Varga, C. (2016). On the proper study design applicable to experimental balneology. International Journal of Biometeorology,60(8), 1307–1309. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-015-1113-8.
Vecsei, A. (1991). Aggradation und Progradation eines Karbonat- plattformrandes-Kreide bis mittleres Tertiar der Montagna della Majella, Abruzzen. Ph. D. Thesis, Mitteilungen des Geologischen Institutes der Eidgenossischen Technischen Hochschule und der Universitat.
Wasowski, J., & Del Gaudio, V. (2000). Evaluating seismically-induced mass movement hazard in Caramanico Terme (Italy). Engineering Geology,58(3/4), 291–311.
Zöller, N., Valesky, E., Hofmann, M., Bereiter-Hahn, J., Bernd, A., Kaufmann, R., et al. (2015). Impact of different spa waters on inflammation parameters in human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. Annals of Dermatology,27(6), 709–714. https://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2015.27.6.709.
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to Dr.ssa Vincenzina Delli Navelli, Dr. Salvatore Bucciarelli, Beatrice Epifano, Angela De Stefanis and Miss Anna Dora De Novellis for their helpful contribution to the dissemination of the questionnaire.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Di Marco, M., De Novellis, A.M.P., Carluccio, V. et al. Short- and long-term beneficial effects of medicinal mineral water administration. Environ Geochem Health 42, 353–364 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-019-00290-x
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-019-00290-x