A water bottle made of inappropriate material possesses different drawbacks. If you consume or absorb such material particles, it can cause you to have health conditions, odour in your drinks, altered taste of your drinks, and so many more unpleasant experiences.
Speaking of water bottles, how good is aluminum? Are aluminum water bottles safe to use?
Aluminum water bottles are safe to drink from in most cases. But overconsumption or over-absorption of aluminum can lead to health conditions. Another risk is in the plastic lining (which contains BPA) inside maximum aluminum water bottles.
This short answer doesn’t tell you the whole story.
So, please scroll down to learn the details regarding the health considerations for aluminum water bottles, what are the benefits of the bottles, and what are the alternative options.
What Is BPA?
Before we disclose how BPA is related to aluminum water bottles, here are some surface-level talks about BPA.
BPA is the short form of Bisphenol A. This is an industrial chemical used for the production of certain types of plastics and resins. BPA is also used to make epoxy resins or epoxy glue which is a common material used inside many food packaging and bottles.
The reason for the widespread use of BPA resins is that they are poorly soluble in water. This fact makes the resins perfect to enhance the shelf life of bottles or other food containers.
BPA is highly dangerous for our bodies. If consumed, BPA binds to estrogen (a hormone that influences the development of female characteristics) receptors and disrupts fetal development, cell repair, energy levels, and even reproduction.
BPA also hurts the brain and prostate gland of infants and children. It disrupts the learning and behaviour conditions of children. BPA is linked to an 18-63% higher risk of heart disease.
So, yes, BPA is the main culprit of different health issues.
Do Aluminum Water Bottles Cause Health Issues?
So, is it safe to drink from aluminum water bottles? Or do they cause health issues?
Aluminum itself does not cause health issues if it’s not overconsumed.
We consume a small amount of aluminium that is naturally present in food and water. Our body absorbs a tiny fraction of this aluminum which doesn’t cause an issue. It’s because our kidneys excrete the most ingested or consumed aluminium.
However, overexposure or consumption of aluminum causes health issues. According to research, an overdose of aluminum causes stress in the kidney, liver, and brain.
Another problem with aluminum water bottles is that some aluminum water bottles are lined with resin. This plastic is used for following reasons:
- Aluminum is prone to react with acidic beverages. It eventually alters the taste of your water. The plastic line inside your aluminum water bottle helps retain the taste as it should.
- Aluminum is corrosion-resistant. Still, there’s a chance of corrosion when aluminum is exposed to certain substances. The plastic lining prevents potential corrosion especially from acidic drinks.
Since you already know about the dangers of BPA in the previous sections, now you can easily link to the plastic lining and its effects on your health. Over time, the plastic lining breaks down. If you consume the degraded particles of plastics, it can cause a lot of health issues.
What Causes The Degradation of Plastic Lining And How to Spot It?
Just like every other product, the plastic lining inside your aluminam water bottles also has a lifespan.
How the Plastic Lining Degrades
- Physical wear and tear such as scratches and cracks can cause the lining to degrade.
- Acidic beverages such as carbonated drinks and citrus juices can react with the plastic lining. It can lead to leaching of plastic compounds into your drinks.
- Excessive heat exposure such as leaving your bottle in a hot car can speed up the degradation of the plastic lining.
- Aluminum water bottles that are not dishwasher-safe can degrade the plastic lining faster because of the high heat and harsh cleaning agents.
How Will You Spot The Deterioration of Plastic Lining?
New bottles are less risky when it comes to the deterioration of their plastic linings. Since the linings are not permanent, be careful over time by regularly inspecting your aluminum water bottle.
Visually inspect your bottle for any peeling, discolouration, or bubbling of the plastic lining. You can run your fingers inside the bottle to find the smoothness of the surface. If you feel the surface is uneven and rough, the lining may have started deteriorating.
If the plastic lining is compromised, you will feel the strong and metallic taste of the water.
Change your old and damaged bottle as soon as you figure out the degraded plastic lining.
Which Diseases Are Linked to Aluminum Consumption?
Since there are a lot of discussions regarding Alzheimer’s disease and aluminum’s connection, this section will clear your confusion.
If the question is- is aluminum bottle safe for drinking water?
Here’s the answer- a tiny amount of aluminum consumption doesn’t harm but an overdose will surely disrupt normal body functions. According to the PAQUID study, consuming more than 0.1 mg of aluminum from drinking water per day doubled the risk of dementia and tripled the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Another research clearly says that drinking water with high levels of aluminum could increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
There’s another claim that overconsumption of aluminum is linked to bone disease. According to studies, aluminum’s harmful effects on bone likely include two parts: one impacts collagen creation, and the other interferes with the hardening of the bone matrix.
Neurological issues are another impact of the high level of absorption of aluminum.
Although no evidence shows that drinking from aluminum water bottles can create any neurological issues, Scientifically, Al is a recognized neurotoxin. So, it’s best to choose a better option than aluminum bottles.
Benefits of Aluminum Water Bottles
Knowing the answer to ‘is aluminum water bottle safe?’ isn’t enough to purchase an aluminum water bottle. You should know the benefits it offers as well so you can make a better judgment.
They’re An Economical Option
If you’re currently using a plastic water bottle for its lower price, it’s high time you should switch to aluminum water bottles. Not only aluminum water bottles are inexpensive options like plastics, they offer fewer health risks and environmental risks compared to plastic bottles.
The chemical bondings in plastic materials are not easy to destroy. For being recycled and reused, aluminam bottles save a you lot of money.
Aluminum Water Bottles Are Eco-Friendly
If you’re an environmentally conscious person, you want to reuse and recycle as many of your daily products as you can. Aluminum has 3 times more recycled content compared to other water bottles. So, you can reduce a lot of environmental waste by switching to an aluminum bottle.
They Retain Water Taste
Aluminum water bottles not only insulate your drinks but also retain the taste. You don’t need to worry about the odor that usually comes from a plastic water bottle. The flavour is also retained in an aluminum bottle.
The Bottles Are Durable
Aluminum water bottles are loved for their durability and longevity. Most aluminum water bottles are scratch-resistant and shock-resistant so you don’t have to worry after dropping the bottle accidentally. The worst thing that may happen is that the bottle will dent a bit.
Compared to glass water bottles, aluminum ones are more durable and long-lasting.
They’re Easy to Carry
Aluminum water bottles are lightweight compared to glass, stainless steel, or other metal containers. Aluminum water bottles are easy to carry anywhere which makes them a great choice for hiking, climbing, camping, or other activities.
Alternatives to Aluminum Water Bottles
What if aluminum water bottles aren’t an option for you? What else can you think of? Below are your answers.
- Glass water bottles are the safest types of water bottles. Although these bottles are more fragile compared to other materials, they offer the cleanest water in every sip. They are chemical-free, made from completely natural materials, and they’re dishwasher safe.
- Stainless steel water bottles are also a safe option and offer the best insulation. These bottles are made of food-grade stainless steel and there are no plastic linings inside the bottles.
Stainless steel water bottles are not only completely safe to drink from but also easy to carry, and durable, and they provide excellent insulation. However, they’re more expensive than aluminum ones.
- There are inexpensive disposable plastic bottles that are made of Polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The FDA approves this plastic as safe for food and drinks. These bottles are durable, easy to clean, disposable, but not reusable.
FAQs
What Are The Disadvantages of Aluminum Water Bottles?
Aluminum water bottles are difficult to clean. They are also prone to scratching easily. Most aluminum water bottles have a plastic lining inside them which again contains BPA. So, in some cases, aluminum water bottles can cause health issues.
What’s The Safest Water Bottle Material?
Glass is considered the safest water bottle material. Drinks in glass water bottles are not affected by the flavour of the bottle. It offers a purity of taste. Also, there are no plastic linings inside glass water bottles so no chance of having BPA.
Is Aluminum A Carcinogen?
No, there’s no evidence that aluminum causes cancer. Overexposure to aluminum can cause nausea, vomiting, mouth ulcers, or diarrhea if we talk about the most undesirable effects. But it doesn’t lead you to have cancer.
Last Thoughts
So, are aluminum water bottles safe to use?
Hopefully, you know the answer by now. Aluminum water bottles are safe until the plastic lines inside the bottles get damaged. The bottles are safer than plastic water bottles but less safe than glass and stainless steel water bottles.
The affordable price, high durability, and eco-friendliness are the most common reasons for the popularity of aluminum water bottles.