The latest ban on single-use plastic in India has also drawn attention to the general use of plastic in day-to-day life. Chemicals present in plastic can be quite hazardous. Yet, it’s not uncommon to see people with plastic bottles in their hands. Plastic bottles are the most common type of containers that people choose to store water in. If you’re one of them, we could change your mind by telling you about the side effects of drinking water from plastic water bottles.
Dr Divya Gopal, Consultant – Dietitian/Nutritionist, Motherhood Hospital, Banashankari, Bengaluru, spoke to Health Shots and shared the consequences of drinking water from plastic bottles.
Dr Gopal says, “We have seen the rise of sustainable brands and eco-friendly alternatives to plastic utensils. But plastic still manages to be dominant when it comes to cheap and easily available bottles.”
She adds, “You could be using high-grade plastic, but it still carries a lot of chemicals and bacteria. It does have a harmful effect on the environment, but the alarming rise in usage of plastic bottles is also impacting your health.”
Here’s how drinking water from plastic bottles affects your health:
1. Impacts immune system
It is always recommended not to store or drink water from plastic bottles. It is because the chemicals from plastic are ingested into our bodies and are capable of disturbing our immune systems.
2. Liver cancer and reduced sperm count
Due to the presence of a chemical called phthalates in plastic, it can lead to problems like liver cancer and sperm count reduction (in men). A recent study done by the State University of New York in Fredonia shows that there are excessive levels of microplastics in bottled water, especially in popular brands.
3. BPA generation
Chemicals like Biphenyl A, which is an estrogen-mimicking chemical, can lead to health problems such as diabetes, obesity, fertility problems, behavioral problems, and early puberty in girls. It’s better not to store and drink water from a plastic bottle.
4. Dioxin production
With direct exposure to the sun, plastic bottles may lead to chemical leaching and release harmful chemicals like dioxin which increases the risk of breast cancer.
Direct exposure to the sun releases a toxin called dioxin, which when consumed can accelerate breast cancer.
Takeaway
Apart from the harmful effects on your health, plastic bottles are also not good for the environment. Most of the plastic waste ends up in landfills and water bodies, which disturbs marine life and also causes land pollution. You can always opt for better, reusable, and more sustainable options like steel flasks, glass bottles, stainless steel bottles, or aluminum bottles.
So, avoid plastic bottles.
