When the temperatures get high, it’s important to stay hydrated by drinking lots of water. Unfortunately, for many people this means grabbing a plastic water bottle from the nearest convenience store or grocery store. That same person might even refill the water bottle to use throughout the day.
But doing this could actually be harming your health.
Here’s why refilling plastic water bottles this summer (or any time of year) is a bad idea—and what you can do instead.
There are two main types of plastics used in plastic water bottles:
Repeated use of a plastic water bottle can break down the plastic, leaching these chemicals into your drinking water. And ingesting these chemicals may pose a range of health risks, including:
These chemicals in plastic, even BPA-free bottles, can leech into the water or whatever you’re drinking, causing hormonal dysregulation [1]. This can not only interfere with weight loss but also throw your whole body off.
A 2018 study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found adult rats that were exposed to phthalates, chemicals used in PVC plastic products like water bottles, before birth and during nursing had poorer brain development than rats not exposed to the chemicals. Researchers found the rats had [2]:
Bacterial Contamination
Even the manufacturers of disposable bottled waters recommend not reusing their products because bacteria can develop in the cracks and scratches with repeated use. This bacteria buildup can make you very sick, causing food poisoning-like symptoms such as vomiting and nausea.
Washing after each use can help, but it’s still not safe, especially if the bottle shows signs of wear and tear. Plus, high temperatures from dishwashing or sitting in the sun can make the situation worse.
Besides the health risks, plastic bottles have a poor carbon footprint. Most are not very biodegradable or recycled, either.
Obviously drinking water is important, especially if you’re following the Keto Zone diet, so here are some ways to hydrate without the risk:
If you’re stuck in the heat choosing between a plastic bottle of water and no hydration, by all means choose the water bottle! Just don’t make it a regular habit, don’t refill it to reuse it, and use alternative methods are often as you can.
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