The United States National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine stated that the average daily fluid intake for an adult is around 15.5 cups of fluids for men and 11.5 cups of fluids for women. This fluid intake includes water, beverages and other food substances that supply fluid to the body. However, of all the sources of fluids required by the body, water is the most important. This makes it necessary for you to have a structure in place that ensures you stay hydrated daily. A water bottle is the best solution for you.
Due to the dangers posed to the environment by non-reusable water plastics, the need to have a water bottle becomes necessary both for your comfort and for the preservation of the ecosystem. Water bottles come in different sizes, shapes, varieties, colors, and materials. This makes it difficult to make a choice when you are trying to get one. This article contains all you need to know about the different varieties of water bottles available.
What do you need to consider when buying a water bottle?
You are already wondering how to know the best water bottle to suit your needs. In this section, we will consider the major factors you need to check before choosing which water bottle will meet your needs.
#1. Health
There are several chemical substances that are used in the production of water bottles and some of these substances have side effects that could affect your health. This makes it important to consider the effect of each of the varieties on your health. One of the toxic chemical substances to look out for when choosing a water bottle is Bisphenol-A which is majorly used in the production of some plastic materials, including water bottles. This is a major factor to consider, especially when you are getting kids’ water bottles.
#2. Ease of cleaning
Water bottles are not self-cleansing, you’ll have to clean them at some points to make them fit and healthy for you. You should also check if it can be cleaned in a dishwasher. You can’t clean all kinds of water bottles in a dishwasher. If you buy one with that limitation, you’ll have to take a few minutes of your time every day to clean the bottle.
In addition, some water bottles are stain-resistant which makes them easy to clean. This is because you won’t have to deal with the stress of scrubbing to get rid of stains that might have clung to the surface.
#3. Weight
Water bottles come in different sizes and weights. You need to consider if the weight of the water bottle you are about to buy is suitable for your needs. When getting a water bottle majorly for sporting activities, it’s not advisable to choose a heavy water bottle that will hinder your speed and mobility. A lightweight water bottle will likely suit your needs more. However, if what you need is a water bottle for work, the weight might not be an important factor. Plastic water bottles are suitable if weight is an important factor for you since they usually have a lightweight.
#4. Easy to carry
You don’t want to buy a water bottle you’ll be struggling to keep in your bag or hold in public. If your goal is to get a sports water bottle or kids’ water bottle, the ease of carrying the bottle should be a major consideration. Some of the things to look out for include the size and weight of the bottle. You should consider if it has a handle or sling you can hold as you go about your daily tasks.
#5. The capacity of the bottle
Do you need a bottle that is big or you are fine with a small bottle? Not just the size of the container, but the quantity of water the bottle can contain. This is an important consideration if you intend to use the bottle for traveling purposes when you might not easily get access to water to refill the bottle.
Metal water bottles
Metal water bottles are mainly made from aluminium, stainless steel and titanium. They have gained popularity mainly because they do not pose a threat to the ecosystem. They are easy to recycle compared to plastic water bottles.
Advantages of metal water bottles
Metal water bottles have a lot of benefits for you if you decide to go for one. It reduces your exposure to Bisphenol A and other harmful chemical substances that may be dangerous to your health. Metal water bottles are usually more durable and non-corrosive, due to the nature and quality of the metals used in making them. Metal-insulated water bottles also help to preserve the temperature of your water, either hot or cold, for a long time.
Shortcomings of metal water bottle
Despite the benefits of metal water bottles, there are certain things you should note before choosing one. The major complaint against them is the presence of a metallic taste, especially when the bottle is still new. However, this can be solved by washing the bottle with soap and baking soda. Metal water bottles expose you to risks of leaching which may constitute a health concern. Apart from insulated metal water bottles such as stainless steel, exposure to heat or hot weather conditions could make your cold water become hot.
Application of metal water bottle
Metal water bottles are most suitable for use when you need to keep your water temperature for a relatively long time. It is also the best option available when you need a water bottle that will last long.
Plastic water bottle.
Plastic bottles have been used over the years for storing and drinking water due to the numerous benefits associated with them. However, in recent times, there have been campaigns against the use of plastics to store water due to the threat plastics pose to the ecosystem. Plastic water bottles come in different variations such as Polycarbonate, Polypropylene and Tritan plastic water bottles.
Advantages of plastic water bottles
Plastic water bottles have an airtight cap which doesn’t allow air or other substances to gain access to the content of the bottle. The chances of chemicals infiltrating the content of the bottle are also slim which makes it suitable for consumption. They are also usually cheaper than other varieties of water bottles.
In addition to the other features of plastic water bottles, tritan water bottles have impact resistance and you need not be bothered about your bottle breaking when it falls. Also, it doesn’t contain Bisphenol A and its related chemical compounds. This makes it suitable for storing and drinking water without the threat of constituting a danger to your health. This plastic is light and easy to carry from one place to the other. The plastic is also suitable for use in a dishwasher which makes it easier and less stressful to clean.
Polycarbonate (PC) water bottles are manufactured from non-toxic materials which makes them safe for storing and drinking water. Polypropylene (PP) is resistant to moisture, bacteria and mold thereby limiting the dangers of exposure to harmful substances.
Shortcomings of plastic water bottles
Despite all the benefits of plastic water bottles, the major argument against their use is the presence of BPA in most of the bottles. BPA is an industrial chemical that is used in the production of plastic products. Polycarbonate has been found to release BPA whenever it’s exposed to a high temperature. This makes it unsuitable for storing hot water.
There have been concerns about the possible health risks humans may be exposed to when drinking water contaminated by BPA. This supposedly includes impacts on the prostate gland and brain of fetuses, infants and children. It has also been suggested to have a harmful effect on women, with conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, obesity and miscarriages. In extreme cases, it could lead to infertility. This kind of plastic water bottle is also highly flammable and at risk of oxidation and corrosion.
The United States Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) after conducting and reviewing several studies observed that the mere presence of BPA at low levels in which it appears in food may not necessarily constitute a health hazard. However, to ensure that you are using a safe plastic water bottle, always look out for plastics that do not contain BPA and its related chemical compounds.
Application of plastic water bottles
Plastic water bottles are the best choice when you need a lightweight water bottle or an inexpensive water bottle that will suit your daily needs. Their lightweight also makes them suitable for use during sporting activities and other outdoor events.
Glass water bottles
Glass water bottles have been recognized in several quarters as the safest, healthiest and best medium of storing water. This is because it is non-reactive and does not pose the risk of leaching, as obtained in plastic and some metal water bottles. The only chemical threat to the use of glass water bottles is the presence of lead and cadmium in some glasses.
Advantages of glass water bottle
A glass water bottle doesn’t leave any taste or flavor on the liquid stored in it. This is a huge advantage when compared to the metallic taste which is found in some metal water bottles. Glass is usually made from natural chemicals such as silica, limestone and soda ash. This reduces the threat of exposure to toxic chemical substances which can easily be found in plastic and metal water bottles.
Glass bottles are eco-friendly since they can easily be recycled and used for making other materials. This reduces the number of glass bottles at the dump site waiting to decompose, unlike plastics which are already becoming an environmental threat.
Glass water bottles have the ability to retain water temperature, either cold or hot water. The bottles also maintain the freshness of water stored in it, without adding any foreign smell or taste. The bottles are easy to clean since they are majorly stain resistant.
The threats of leaching, corrosion and rust, which are the major considerations for plastic and metal water bottles hardly arise when using a glass water bottle. This is due to the nature and quality of materials used in manufacturing glasses generally.
Shortcomings of glass water bottle
Glass is generally a fragile material, which makes your glass water bottle to be at risk of breaking compared to plastic and metal water bottles. However, most glass water bottles have been designed with thick glasses that do not break easily.
Despite being recognized for its lower risk of chemical contamination, some glass water bottles have been found to contain lead and cadmium which could pose a threat to your health. You should also note that glasses are not insulated, unlike stainless steel. This implies that when you put hot or cold water in the bottle, you will feel the impact once you hold the bottle. Also, it cannot preserve the temperature of your water for a very long time.
In terms of weight, glass water bottles are usually heavier than stainless and plastic water bottles. This will surely have an effect on your ability to carry it around. More so, due to the materials and processes used in the production of glass, glass water bottles are usually more expensive than plastic and stainless water bottles.
Application of glass water bottles
Glass water bottles are suitable for use indoors or when you won’t have to carry the bottle around. This is due to the heavy weight of the bottle.
Choose the best water bottle according to your needs
This article has presented a review of different types and varieties of water bottles. These include plastic, stainless steel and glass water bottles, alongside all their individual variants. All the things you need to consider before making a choice and the features you should know before picking a water bottle that would suit your needs have been provided to guide you. In case you have decided on which bottle to choose, we have varieties of water bottles in our store. They have been carefully picked to give value for your money, without threat to your health.
