Is bottled water unhealthy?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the past couple of years, there has been a big debate about plastic consumption and pollution. The topic that has not been discussed as much is the health aspects of bottled water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Generally, bottled water companies have been touting the health benefits of bottled water. But what if it\u2019s not healthier at all? What if it\u2019s actually unhealthy causing lower fertility, and permanent damage to infants and children?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we will explore the health issues with bottled water and why filtered tap water is the better option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is bottled water healthy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mineral water, Natural spring water, Volcanic water, Glacier water\u2026 the brands proclaiming healthier drinking water based on such attributes are many. But is there any scientific evidence that mineral water is healthier?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The majority of participants in a 2009 UK study believed that bottled water has some health benefits. Source: https:\/\/bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com\/articles\/10.1186\/1471-2458-9-196<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a previous article, we looked at all the claims that mineral water is healthier than tap water<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The minerals found in some bottled water<\/a> include magnesium, calcium, chloride, sodium bicarbonate, and potassium. All of these are essential minerals for human life. Therefore it can easily be understood if mineral water is perceived as healthy. However, there is no scientific evidence that it\u2019s healthier<\/a> than tap water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why do people think bottled water is healthier?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The historical reason that spring and mineral water are perceived as healthier is probably that it was. The water in the cities was often polluted and, until chlorination, often caused waterborne illnesses such as cholera and typhoidDrink clean spring water at a resort for a week and you\u2019ll most likely feel better.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bottling and commercialization of natural mineral waters first began in Europe in the mid-16th century, with mineral water from Spa in Belgium, from Vichy in France, from Ferrarelle in Italy, and Apollinaris in Germany. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: https:\/\/naturalmineralwaterseurope.org\/water\/history-of-natural-mineral-water\/<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Complicating this further many Germans believe that sparkling mineral is even healthier. It\u2019s true that it\u2019s more thirst quenching. In reality, it\u2019s often the opposite as you will discover below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What if bottled water is actually unhealthy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By now it\u2019s clear that plastic packaging is a major contributor to the destruction of many species on our planet. But what if it\u2019s also slowly making humans extinct?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are 6 clear pieces of evidence that bottled water is unhealthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Microplastics in bottled water<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A recent World Health Organisation (WHO) study found that in 93% of popular bottled water brands tested the water contained plastic fibers (similar results were also found in a study conducted by Fredonia State University of New York). While studies on the existence of microplastics in bottled water, and the potential danger this presents, are still in the early stages, one can only imagine the potential long-term effects of consuming plastic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fchem.2018.00407\/full<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Phthalates in bottled water<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the most harmful substances in plastic is phthalates. In the past few years, researchers have linked phthalates to asthma, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, breast cancer, obesity and type II diabetes, low IQ, neurodevelopmental issues, behavioral issues, autism spectrum disorders, altered reproductive development, and male fertility issues.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/lifeandstyle\/2015\/feb\/10\/phthalates-plastics-chemicals-research-analysis<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research Dr. Shanna Swan has even gone so far as to say that phthalates are the main cause of growing infertility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: https:\/\/saferchemicals.org\/2021\/02\/25\/why-is-getting-pregnant-so-difficult-these-days-an-interview-with-dr-shanna-swan-on-her-new-book\/<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/saferchemicals.org\/2021\/02\/25\/why-is-getting-pregnant-so-difficult-these-days-an-interview-with-dr-shanna-swan-on-her-new-book\/\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

According to the plastic industry PET plastic used for most bottled water is completely safe. They claim there are no chemical phthalates in PET and therefore do not leach these substances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, several reports suggest that phthalates still leach from PET bottles into the contents of the bottle. One possibility may have to do with the use of recycled PET. This means that as the bottle manufacturers are using more and more recycled PET it\u2019s making them more harmful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC2854718\/<\/a> <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Endocrine (hormone) disrupting chemicals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A study in 2015 of water samples from 29 water bottle brands in Spain showed hormonal activity in all samples. This was estrogenic in 79.3% and anti-estrogenic in 37.9% of samples and was androgenic in 27.5% and anti-androgenic in 41.3%. Hormone-like activities observed in waters from both plastic and glass bottles suggest that plastic packaging is not the sole source of contamination and that the source of the water and bottling process may play a role, among other factors. Source: https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/25454229\/<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another study from 2009 of 20 bottled water brands of human estrogen receptor alpha detected estrogenic contamination in 60% of all samples with a maximum activity equivalent to 75.2 ng\/l of the natural sex hormone 17\u03b2-estradiol. Source: https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s11356-009-0107-7<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both studies concluded that a lot more research is required but funding in this space is limited as there are no commercial interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. BPA in PET bottles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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Another problem with recycling is Bisphenol A (BPA) found in recycled PET (rPET) bottles. A study of 23 samples of virgin and recycled pellets, preforms, and bottles\u201d obtained from five different European manufacturers showed \u201csignificantly higher levels of BPA in recycled PET.\u201d The PET bottle industry claims that the levels are below any harmful measures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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BPA in recycled PET<\/a><\/blockquote>