4 Quick Tips For Buying Water
By Amber Lowry
In a perfect world, we would all drink water exclusively from trusted, local sources in high-quality containers. Unfortunately, real life can interfere with our access to the best water possible, leaving us having to adapt accordingly. Here are a few quick tips to keep in mind when buying bottled water.
1. Get glass when possible
When it comes to buying bottled water, the goal isn’t necessarily to buy glass for any nutritional benefit. Buying glass bottles is more about avoiding plastic and the chemicals found in most plastic water bottles. Certain chemicals in plastic bottles such as phthalates have been shown to activate genes responsible for adipogenesis, or the creation of new fat cells. In other words, phthalates can contribute to fat creating and storing once consumed. Yes, glass can be inconvenient and pricey, but investing in discounted cases and keeping an eye out for sales are great ways to cut some of the costs.
2. If glass isn’t an option, at least go BPA-free
BPA, another chemical found in most plastic water bottles, has gained a reputation for being the plasticizer to steer clear of. In a previous blog post concerning the chemicals to avoid to lower your risk of breast cancer, it was mentioned that BPA acts as a xenoestrogen that contributes to estrogen-dominance related conditions like some cancers. However, BPA has also been shown to be an environmental obseogen, meaning it’s an environmental chemical that can contribute to obesity when built up in the body. So if you’re not going to buy glass water bottles, at least strive to obtain bottles labeled “BPA-free.”
3. Invest in a high-quality reusable water bottle
Perhaps one of the best investments for your health as well as your wallet is purchasing a high-quality reusable water bottle. Though initially costly, buying a reusable bottle can save you hundreds of dollars in the long run. Some good options include stainless steel or glass-lined bottles. Keeping one in your purse or gym bag at all times can help keep you hydrated and accountable without the extra energy spent on trying to keep track of one at all times.
4. Do your research
Did you know that approximately 25 percent of bottled water is actually just tap water? The municipal water supply is flooding with various chemicals, most of which you want to limit or avoid. When making the choice between tap, distilled, natural (spring and artesian) or filtered water, it’s important to do your research into where this water is sourced and how, and what it might contain. Don’t get distracted by fancy labels and bottle shapes; all it takes is 5 minutes on a search engine site and simply turning the bottle around and reading up.
References
Lempert, P. (2004). Is your bottled water coming from a faucet?. TODAY.com. http://www.today.com/food/your-bottled-water-coming-faucet-2D80555502
Wang, J., Sun, B., Hou, M., Pan, X., & Li, X. (2012). The environmental obesogen bisphenol A promotes adipogenesis by increasing the amount of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 in the adipose tissue of children. International Journal Of Obesity, 37(7), 999-1005. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2012.173
Yin, L., Yu, K., Lu, K., & Yu, X. (2016). Benzyl butyl phthalate promotes adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes: A High Content Cellomics and metabolomic analysis. Toxicology In Vitro, 32, 297 309. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tiv.2016.01.010
