Why You Should Stop Drinking Bottled Water

It’s simply impossible to remove water from our daily routine – but why would we want to?

Although water is key to a healthy lifestyle, the very source it’s derived from is far more important than the latter.

When it comes to safe water sources, people often resort to two major choices, filtered water, and bottled water.

Let’s continue by uncovering the differences between the two, and why filtered water may be the superior choice.

Don't drink out of water bottles  

How Much Water Does Your Body Need?

First off, why does it even matter?

Did you know the human body is 60% water?

In fact, water is so important to the inner workings of our bodies, that it is considered crucial to our very survival. Here’s why:

1. Consequences of Dehydration

When you don’t drink enough water, you allow your body to become dehydrated.

Dehydration occurs when your body is in a state of water insufficiency, which leads to health issues such as low energy, dry skin, rough skin, constipation, overheating, and more.

Thankfully, it is easy to avoid complications, by simply consuming the right amount of water, from a high-quality water source.

2.  Let’s Stay Hydrated

Drinking the proper amount of water ensures optimal bodily performances, leading to healthy skin, energy, regulated body temperature, proper colon function.

By consuming a minimum of eight glasses of water a day, according to experts, we can stay on a path to proper health.

There is a more accurate method to figure out how much water your body needs, though.

Simply weigh yourself, and divide the number in half, in order to get the number of ounces you need on a daily basis.

Why you should stop drinking bottled water

The Issues Surrounding Bottled Water

Does anything compare to the conveniences provided by bottled water?

Regardless of where you are geographically, the time of day, as well as other factors, you can simply grab a bottle of water from your own fridge or a gas station and be on your way.

Have you ever considered the water source used to produce commercially bottled water, though?

Below are some reasons why you should stop drinking bottled water.

1. Bottles Are Often Filled with Tap Water

Up to 50% of all bottled water purchased in the United States of America are filled utilizing tap water sourced from municipal treatment centers.

Branding, as well as various marketing tactics, do a good job at covering up the truth behind the use of tap water, often opting for images of a glistening stream, etc.

In fact, most products brandishing the phrase “purified drinking water” often use tap water over any other natural water source.

DOn't drink from water bottle

2. Plastic Leeches Harmful Chemicals Into Water

Just because a bottling company uses a natural water source to fill their bottled water, doesn’t mean it’s completely safe for consumption.

Major beverage companies use cheap plastics to create bottles for bottled water, soda, juice, and more.

The dark truth behind these plastics is that they’re often manufactured with Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), or Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) – compounds capable of leaching phthalates and BPA into water.

Why is this a big deal?

Phthalates and BPA pose dangers to your health, especially when they are consumed.

Bottled water presents the perfect situation for the ingestion of dangerous chemicals, which has the ability to cause breast cancer, obesity, diabetes, and asthma, just to name a few.

Reproductive health is also affected, leading to fertility problems, inflammation, etc.

3.  Environmental Implications

Our dependency upon plastic has also lead to severe environmental implications, reaching critical levels with each passing day.

It may seem alarming, but over 7 million bottles of water alone are sold throughout the United States on a weekly basis.

These bottles essentially never deteriorate once they’re disposed of, and spend the rest of eternity resting in a landfill if they aren’t tossed into the ocean.

In that case, plastic bottles pose a danger to sea life, which will inevitably come across discarded plastic over the course of their lifetime.

4.  Reusing Water Bottles Also Poses a Danger

While this may seem like a good idea in concept, it can actually be dangerous to reuse a single-use water bottle.

When you use a reusable water bottle, you’re not only saving money on bottled water but also reducing waste that ends up polluting our oceans.

However, when you recycle or refill a used water bottle with tap water, there is still a chance that harmful contaminants could enter your body through your mouth if you drink directly from the container.

This is because most municipal water systems do not filter out all of the toxins found in tap water.

Why Is Filtered Water Superior to Bottled Water?

Filtering water in your own home gives you all of the control, especially in terms of what is removed, or left behind.

That’s right, removing elements from tap water is not what water filtration is all about – you don’t always want to remove beneficial minerals.

Aside from this, you also limit your contact with dangerous types of plastic, thereby avoiding additional chemicals commonly found within the contents of plastic bottled water.

When plastic bottles are manufactured, and once again filled, they undergo various stages of treatment and heat that render it unsafe for use.

During transportation, the plastic may once again be exposed to high levels of heat that may cause micro plastics to break off, and dangerous chemicals to leech into the contents.

Additionally, industrial runoff, agricultural runoff, and more may also leech into natural water sources.

As you can see, the water source itself should not be your only concern when it comes to bottled water, which is where home water filtration comes into play.

Although tap water is treated with various chemicals at a treatment facility, well before it reaches your home, does not mean you should consume these chemicals.

Most of these treatments are necessary to ensure the removal of dangerous microbes, bacteria, and chemicals which may pose a danger to your overall health.

Chlorine is one prime example of such a chemical, which does serve an important purpose.

Byproducts of chlorine, such as trihalomethanes, lead to other health complications, including rectal cancer, miscarriages, and more.

By filtering tap water though, you may easily avoid the consequences of consuming chlorine, and other chemicals commonly used in water treatment facilities.

Learn why you should not drink bottle water

Which Water Filter Is Best?

Unfortunately, the fact of the matter is that there is no one-size-fits-all water filter for this scenario.

The best first step in choosing your water filter is to have your water tested, or read the annual report provided by your municipal water company for a rundown on present elements.

Then take a look at the pros and cons of different styles, manufacturers, and problems each type will help you solve.

1. Waterdrop D4 RO Drinking Water Filtration System

Waterdrop’s Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filtration is one of the top rated Reverse Osmosis filtration systems – and for good reason. Featuring a tankless design, this RO system ensures consumers receive get excellent overall performance and high output, in a compact design. Measuring in at only 12.44” tall, this filter makes an excellent choice for those with space in short supply. Realistically, Waterdrop’s RO fits well in a space as small as under your kitchen sink. An automatic flush feature also ensures proper maintenance, by flushing the system after an hour sitting idle. This enables users to experience prolonged filter life, for fewer replacements throughout the year. What is this unit capable of removing? A 5-in-1 composite filter effectively reduces the presence of:
• Heavy Metals
• Chlorine and Chloramine
• Solids (sand, rust, dirt, and more)

Waterdrop reverse osmosis systems

2. APEC Water Systems Essence Series Water Filter System

APEC’s Reverse Osmosis water filter system provides several unique features, such as high capacity filters, not to mention a quick and easy installation. APEC’s filters also provide a longer lifespan compared to those utilized by other systems. A six-stage filtration system provides a one year filter lifespan, for fewer replacements. Measuring in at 11” tall, and 15” wide, APEC’s 4 gallon tank fits well under most kitchen sinks for homes short on space. What can homeowners come to expect from this RO unit?
• Removes Harmful Contaminants
• Restores Beneficial Minerals
• Offers 75 GPD Filtration Capacity
• Produces 3 Gallons of Wastewater per 1 Gallon of Filtered Water

3. iSpring Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter System

iSpring’s Reverse Osmosis Water Filter System provides much in terms of aesthetics. Although it will also fit under the kitchen sink, the overall design with brushed nickel accents will not take much away from the theme of your home. A high filtration rate, of 75 GPD, resolves the major complaint among RO system owners – very little output in terms of filtered water.
• Provides an Output of 75GPD
• Reduces Up to 99% of Contaminants
• Restores Healthy Minerals
• Appealing Aesthetic Value

What’s The Bottom Line?

Getting a water filter system will reduce your toxic exposure which in turn will help you get healthier.

This one change could make a big impact on your whole family.

I recommend starting slow with a counter filter or even getting filtered water at a local store if you have one (like I did for 2 years).

Ask your friends if they have recommendations for a local provider, or check out the ones I’ve listed above to find the perfect filter system for your home.

I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

 

 

Sources:
https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/science/water-you-water-and-human-body
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dehydration/symptoms-causes/syc-20354086
https://www.today.com/food/your-bottled-water-coming-faucet-2D80555502
https://www.container-recycling.org/index.php/issues/…/275-down-the-drain