Have you heard of the antibacterial properties of copper? Maybe you have seen something about the topic but you are not sure what exactly it is about? Let us introduce you to one of the main reasons why copper bottles are awesome for storing and drinking water from!
Copper Bottles Cleanliness
When you’re shopping for a water bottle, keeping it clean probably isn’t top of your consideration list. Most of us are shopping for water bottles to boost our water intake and improve our overall health. While drinking your eight glasses of water a day is ideal, you want to ensure that you’re drinking clean water.
Copper water bottles give you peace of mind that the water you’re drinking is as clean as possible. Wherever you’re filling up your water bottle. We’re exploring the antibacterial properties of copper to help you understand why this material is the best choice for your water bottle.
How often are you washing your water bottle? Are you guilty of leaving it sitting at your desk or the bottom of your backpack? Most of us find ourselves filling our water bottles on the go, whether it’s at a machine at an airport or a sink in a café. You want to make sure your body is getting all the nutrients it needs from water – and none of the nasty bacteria that can slip in.
As a powerful antimicrobial material, copper will keep your water bottle clean and healthy to drink from. While this may sound technical, we’re breaking the process down to make it easier to understand.
The antibacterial properties of copper
Copper – and its related alloys – is known for being a material with natural antimicrobial properties. The health benefits from copper all come from its antibacterial properties. These can boost your overall health by protecting you from bacteria and fungi while maintaining your body’s pH balance.
When used for water bottles, copper works to purify the water inside through its ions. Drinking your water through a copper bottle can help cleanse your stomach, regulate your liver, and reduce inflammation.
Copper’s antimicrobial properties aren’t only antibacterial. This material continues to be used today as an anti-viral and anti-inflammatory metal. It can help to strengthen our immune system and protect us from infections.
As copper is a trace element, you only need a little of it to make a big impact. By storing water in copper, you allow the metal ions to infuse the water, passing on the benefits of copper to the drinker. Copper was one of the world’s easiest water purification systems, dating back thousands of years.
How copper works
Copper was used for its antibacterial properties long before we began to understand what microbes are. For centuries, people used it for transporting water to ensure it was safe for human consumption.
Ayurveda – the world’s oldest form of holistic medicine – saw drinking water from a copper component to be a way of balancing the three doshas in your body. The positively charged water helped achieve that balance.
Copper alloy is still undergoing research by the scientific field. The basic understanding of its antibacterial properties is that it works to destroy microorganisms that pose a risk to our health.
But how does copper kill fungi and bacteria in the water? When water stays in a copper container, the copper ions begin to dissolve into the water in tiny amounts. A process known as the ‘Oligodynamic Effect’ begins to occur. This is where the copper ions kill any bacteria, fungi, and microbes in the water.
It’s also commonly known as ‘contact killing’ as the copper ions are exposed to the bacteria, damaging its cell walls and causing them to decay. The best way to take advantage of copper’s antibacterial properties is to allow the water to sit in the copper container overnight. In this way, the ions can begin ‘contact killing’ any impurities.
Where copper is used for health and safety
The Copper Development Association Inc. states there are over 400 copper alloy compositions registered. These copper alloy compositions claim to be able to kill six of the most common disease-causing bacteria. These incorporate the superbugs of MRSA and VRE. You’ll typically find public health institutions using a copper-nickel alloy as this combination offers corrosion resistance, along with strength and durability.
The health care industry is steadily incorporating copper into every aspect of patient care. From copper beds to the drinking utensils they use. Most hospitals already incorporate copper in high-touch points. Some include door handles and furniture, to help lower contamination risks. As we make our way out of the pandemic, copper will play an even bigger role in protecting us from bacteria and infections.
Why you should be using a copper water bottle
By cleaning your water bottle regularly, you’re ensuring that the copper alloy can continually kill any bacteria that may develop and cause infections.
Drinking water from a copper bottle can help improve your overall health by maintaining your body’s pH balance. Keeping your body’s pH level stable is important as your immune system begins to struggle when it becomes too acidic.
When you get your copper water bottle, the first thing you should do is wash it with a natural acidic solution. Squeeze a little lemon juice into the bottle. Then rinse with water to neutralize the inside of the bottle.
If you want to get the most out of copper’s antibacterial properties, leave your water inside the bottle overnight. Alternatively, fill it up before you leave your home. A copper water bottle is the ultimate travel companion. for commuting to work, heading to college, or running errands. You only need to drink from your copper water bottle two to three times a day to enjoy its antibacterial benefits.
While a copper water bottle gives you extra peace of mind, you want to ensure you’re looking after it correctly. We recommend washing your water bottle overnight using an acidic solution.
While fresh lemon juice is the easiest, you can also use baking soda, salt, or vinegar as a natural cleaner. However, you’ll want to ensure you rinse the bottle to avoid any lingering taste. Allow the solution to sit in the copper bottle for several hours before rinsing.
Start your day off right by drinking from your copper water bottle. Another option is taking it along for your morning commute. Many have been using copper to purify drinking water for thousands of years. It’s proof that copper water bottles aren’t just for the aesthetic.
Cheers.