Bottled water has become the major method of consuming water today. It is one of the most purchased beverage and it is estimated that each person consumes up to twenty-six gallons of bottled water in one year. It is purchased majorly because of its handiness and portability. It gives access to water anytime, anywhere. But these bottled waters pose some health risks and some benefits to health.

Heath Benefits of Bottled Water

  • Increased consumption of water – bottled water is easily accessible and also easy to carry around. It saves time than trying to fill up an empty bottle of water throughout the day. An increase in water intake has health benefits such as regulation of body temperature, aiding digestion, proper functioning of the kidneys and other parts of the body.

Therefore, choosing bottled water over other beverages such as sodas has more advantages than downsides. Having a bottled water handy has been the reason for an increased water intake for some.

  • Source of electrolytes and other nutrients – nutrients are added to bottled water by some brands for specific purposes. Electrolytes such as sodium and potassium are usually the common ingredients added to water. Other vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B and Vitamin E are also added. This kind water most suitable for people who do hard workouts and athletes. This type of water replenishes the electrolyte in the body and the vitamin and minerals lost by perspiration.
     

Health risks of Bottled water

Production of Phthalates – A research recently stated that the chemicals, such as phthalates, used in producing the plastic bottle begin to leach into the water with time. And it was also found out that an increased exposure to phthalates can lead to a decreased level of testosterone.

Bottled water has been tested and proved to have no difference from normal tap water.A study carried out by the Natural Resources Defense Council on a thousand bottled water samples comparing them with normal tap water showed that the water in a bottle is not higher purity than the common tap water and is also not safer than tap water in any way. Basically, they have no difference.

So therefore, bottled water might also contain similar pathogens found in tap water, and might pose the same risks that tap water poses to human health. We should also not rule out that they also would share the same health benefits.

Bottled water has its pros and cons, but this shouldn’t be a form of discouragement from drinking bottled water. It has served humanity and is still serving till date.