Water bottle

Henry David Thoreau once said, “Water is the only drink for a wise man."
 

There is no doubt that drinking plenty of water is vital in maintaining optimal health. 

Yet, 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated.

One of the easiest ways to combat this dehydration issue is to carry a water bottle.

When sipping water out of a glass at home is not an option, consumers have the choice of a plastic, aluminum or stainless steel bottle.

Which type is "the best" for your health?

Below is a breakdown of the pros and cons of each type of bottle. (*Make sure to use a high quality filter for pure water)

Plastic

A few years ago it seemed as though everyone was carrying around the popular Nalgene brand plastic bottle.  Since then, many scientific reports have alluded to some plastic bottles being potentially hazardous due to toxic chemicals being released into the water.  Bisphenol-A (or BPA) is one such chemical that was (and in some cases is still) used in some plastic bottles and has been linked to various health concerns including infertility.

Nalgene brand bottles are now made without BPA. If purchasing a plastic bottle be sure to look for a sticker or label that reads “BPA free."  (Click here to find out where and why plastic bottles have been banned.)

The thin plastic bottles are best if used as a "one time use only" drinking container.

*Top tip: check the recycling number on the bottom to determine which plastic bottles are safe: try to avoid numbers 3, 6 and 7 when possible. Go here for detailed information and useful pictures

Aluminum

Many consumers have been seen carrying the popular  SIGG aluminum bottles. The company has 144-plus designs to choose from and offers a lifetime warranty.

Aluminum bottles are made with an inner lining.   SIGG claims their lining has 0.0% leaching rate, but the company will not release contents of liner as to “stay competitive."  Although their claim of 0.0% leaching may be accurate, some consumers remain concerned.  **UPDATE- this concern is has now been validated: go here to read report

Due to the inner liner, it is not advisable to wash an aluminum bottle in the dishwasher.

Stainless Steel

Bottles made from the non-toxic, stainless steel material are durable and safe.  They differ from the aluminum bottles in that there is no liner, which means they are dishwasher safe, as well as guaranteed not to leach any chemicals.

Klean Kanteen is the most popular brand, and while not as “fashionable” (they come in solid colors only), they (along with any other pure stainless steel bottles) are the top choice for safety and health consciousness.  One article states, “The Klean Kanteen has no inner liner, so while there are lingering questions about whether SIGG's epoxy liners contain BPA, there are no such questions about Klean Kanteen's water bottle.”

Klean Kanteen is not the only brand of stainless steel bottles. Go to this website to find a review of six companies that sell stainless steel bottles.

More information:

SIGG issues public appology for amounts of BPA found in bottles

Safe baby bottles

Purchase safe water bottles here

Top reasons to stay hydrated- they may surprise you

How much water you should be drinking