4 Reasons You Should Never Drink Plastic Bottled Water Again

Whether you are an active yogi or live a sedentary lifestyle, adequate hydration is essential. As an easy rule of thumb, you should drink half your body weight in ounces every single day, no matter what.

Hydration is important! Avoid these 7 Signs of Dehydration (and 5 Tips to Prevent It)

Even if you are up-to-par on your hydration game, the vessel in which you drink your water makes a big difference. Disposable bottled water may be convenient, but it’s terrible for your health, the environment, and your wallet!

Here Are 4 Reasons You Should Never Drink Plastic Bottled Water Again

Seriously, ditch the plastic water bottles because of these four very important reasons.
 

1. They’re Filled With Chemicals

Point blank: plastic is not good for you. Studies have shown that water in plastic water bottles can contain mold, microbes, phthalates, arsenic, BPA, E. Coli, and other chemicals. BPA – in particular – is an endocrine disruptor that is hazardous to human health.

It can cause cancer, reproductive system irregularities, infertility or reduced fertility, and birth defects in newborns.

Even if you purchase BPA-free water bottles made of plastic, when exposed to heat (i.e. if you leave the water bottle in your car on a hot day), chemicals such as endocrine-disrupting phthalates seep out of the bottles and into the water you will later drink. The long-term health effects of these plastics are serious. So, is it worth the risk?
 

2. It’s Bad for the Environment

Most plastic water bottles are made of a petroleum (oil) product called (PET), a non-biodegradable substance, mixed with other resources such as water. If you fill up your plastic water bottle 25% of the way, that’s how much oil it took to manufacture the plastic in that bottle. Now that’s a lot of oil wasted for a one-time use water bottle!
 
Then, after manufacture, water bottles require a great deal of fossil fuels to transport them globally to your local food market or convenience store. Some water bottles are recyclable, but many others contain plastics and other chemicals that are not recyclable.

Those non-recyclable plastic bottles are stored in a landfill or other location indefinitely, leaching toxins into water and soil as they degrade.
 

3. They’re Really Just Overpriced Tap Water

When you spend $1 or $2 on a bottle of water, you expect that you are getting a high-quality product that is clean and filtered for your enjoyment. You may be surprised to find out that 75% of bottled water brands are just overpriced tap water – and not from a peaceful river or gently flowing stream in a quiet wooded area.

Some brands that bottle tap water put extra effort into filtering your water with UV light. But is it really worth the markup?
 

4. There’s a Better Alternative

Reusable, refillable glass or stainless steel water bottles are better for the environment, your health, and your wallet.
 
Whatever you do, beware of plastic reusable water bottles that are labeled as BPA-free. These “healthy alternatives” may be free of one hazardous substance, but that does not mean that they are free of other chemicals, plastics, and toxins.
 
 

Ditch the Plastic Bottled Water and Opt for Something Greener!

There are so many styles, colors, and designs for reusable water bottles so you can find one that meets your personal needs. Think of your water bottle as an accessory and choose one that represents your personal flair.
 
Take the pledge and ditch plastic bottled water for good. In doing so, you are making a statement to the world that you are eco-friendly, savvy, stylish (cute reusable water bottles make a great yoga accessory!), and that you care about your long-term health. Plus, you will save money, giving you extra spending cash to buy that new yoga mat or prop.

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