The Importance of Drinking Water and Using BPA-Free Water Bottles
We have been talking a lot about ways to stay cool this month, and last time we mentioned the importance of staying hydrated. Drinking plenty of water each day is important for many reasons. The main thing water does is to balance out the level of fluids in your body. Each day you lose a surprising amount of water through perspiration, breathing, urination, and elimination. When your fluid intake does not equal your output, symptoms of dehydration such as fatigue, dizziness, and headaches can occur.
Water also transports nutrients throughout the body, helps with digestion and normal bowel function, and helps regulate body temperature. It helps create new healthy blood and bone cells, and helps your kidneys flush toxins from the body. It nourishes muscles and skin, and can even help control food cravings.
The good news is that water is the second most popular beverage in our country, and more and more people are carrying water with them throughout the day to stay well hydrated. The bad news (aside from water coming in second place to soda…) is that lots of people carry plastic bottles of water with them, many of which contain bisphenol A, or BPA. BPA is an industrial chemical used in the United States since the 1960s. It is used in some plastics and resins, and is often found in food and drink containers.
While there are mixed opinions on the long term effects of exposure to BPA, there have been enough concerns to cause the World Health Organization to conduct studies and make recommendations on limiting exposure. Many European countries and Canada have either banned BPA entirely or banned it from being used in the production of baby bottles and other children’s items. BPA is known to be an endocrine disrupter, as it can mimic our own hormones and create an imbalance. This is especially true for infants, children, and the elderly. BPA is also thought to contribute to reproductive disorders, heart disease, and impairments in brain function, memory, and learning. It may also contribute to other neurological disorders.
So what’s the answer? Investing in a BPA-free water bottle is a smart, healthy decision. Not only do you ensure you have no chemical exposure, but it also will help keep plastic water bottles from entering our trash systems and waterways. While there are multiple choices for water bottles, Simple Health has four favorites.
- Klean Kanteen water bottles are made with food-grade stainless steel, which means they aren’t lined with plastic or a baked on epoxy. This retains the flavor of your beverage, rather than giving off an unpleasant metallic aftertaste. The caps are BPA-free and designed with large threads for easy cleaning, which helps keep out bacteria and dirt. Some of the models have a large mouth opening, perfect for big ice cubes, and there are lots of colors and designs to choose from.
- Sigg water bottles are produced from a high quality aluminum and have a chemical free lining. Their caps are also BPA-free, and they come in a variety of sizes, colors, and designs.
- Lifefactory produces glass water bottles with a medical-grade silicone sleeve. This provides a comfortable, non-slip grip when you drink. As there are no metal parts to the bottles, there is no chance of aftertaste. Their caps are also BPA free.
- JOCO Health Travel Mugs with the Simple Health logo are glass and sold at Simple Health.
You have been doing a great job learning all kinds of information this month. When you have the knowledge you need to make smart decisions, achieving your health and wellness goals is well within your reach. Remember to stay hydrated, enjoy the remaining days of August, and let us know if there’s anything we can do to help.
September really is just around the corner, so next time we will talk about ways to manage your schedule and handle stress as you get the kids ready for back to school.