Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2023-01-12 Origin: Site
If you've ever wandered the aisles of any leisure shop, then you've likely stumbled upon the vast world of water bottles. All sorts of shapes, sizes and materials line the aisles, just to keep you hydrated during your sweat-burning workout. Would you like a BPA-free purple plastic bottle with a nozzle and handle? No problem. Or perhaps a plain stainless steel variety with a removable lid? A sure thing.
With so many choices, which is really the best and safest option? Instead of adding to the 38 billion non-reusable plastic water bottles that pile up in landfills every year, start carrying one of these refillable thirst quenchers.
In the past, plastic water bottles have received some negative publicity for containing Bisphenol A (aka BPA), a chemical linked to cancer. Fortunately, companies have responded and most water bottles sold after 2010 are now BPA free. however, it is important to know what type of plastic bottle you are drinking from and to consider what the little number on the bottom of the bottle represents. Disposable water bottles, which you can usually buy in packs of 24 at petrol stations or in grocery shops, are marked with the number 1 and are for single use only.
While washing and refilling these bottles may seem like a smart choice for the environment, they are not durable enough to withstand multiple uses and often end up leaching unwanted chemicals into the water. To protect yourself and the environment, look for bottles marked with the numbers 2, 4 or 5. While these bottles tend to retain odours and staining after regular use, they don't leach chemicals, are the cheapest bottle option on the market and come in a variety of styles. So go ahead and be picky - there's a perfect plastic water bottle out there with your name on it. Chemical free.
If you're still worried about BPA and the chemicals that can leach out of your plastic bottle, go for stainless steel. These bottles are made from culinary grade stainless steel and are non-reactive, meaning they will not release harmful toxins when filled with H2O. However, please be careful not to confuse these canteens with their aluminium counterparts.
Aluminium is reactive to acidic liquids, so the bottles are lined with an enamel or epoxy layer, which some scientists associate with BPA. Yes, these bottles are lightweight and have a design-centric style, but stay away from them as they are the safest. Stainless steel has the same attractive properties without the worry of dangerous chemicals.
If we take the time during our workouts to target certain muscle groups and prepare a meal with carefully selected ingredients, why don't we pay attention to the type of water bottle we use to hydrate our bodies? Manufacturers of reusable plastic bottles claim that their containers have been BPA-free since 2010, but stainless steel doesn't need any liners that could leach harmful toxins.
While stainless steel bottles are more likely to dent when dropped, this material will not crack like plastic alternatives. In addition, polypropylene caps are one of the safer plastics on the market, although many bottles do come with stainless steel cap options. So the next time you find yourself lost in a sea of water bottles, dip into the stainless steel option group. Your body (and Mother Nature) will thank you.
