Modern life dictates its own conditions - today you need to pay attention not only to the contents, but also to the packaging. Most of the various containers are made from petroleum products, and choosing safe bottles for water is not an easy task. We offer a small overview of different types of food plastic. Find out what is better for your health - glass bottles, plastic, aluminum or some other?
Which plastic is safe?
In one form or another, plastic is found almost everywhere - in food packaging, bottles, bags, dishes, etc.
Plastic has a lot of advantages:
- low cost;
- ease;
- fortress;
- a variety of shapes and colors;
- it can be frozen and heated in a microwave oven.
But at the same time there is a huge minus - the possible harm to health. Not every plastic is suitable for storing water. Some of its species are capable of releasing harmful substances in liquids. Tank heating speeds up this process.
To determine that water bottles are safe for health, the marking on the bottom of BPA-free or BPA-0 - “BPA-free” (Bisphenol-A) allows.
Types of Plastic Bottles
All plastic bottles are made from petroleum products. But in fact they are very different. The most dangerous are those to which phenols are added, in particular bisphenol-A. Numerous studies have confirmed that they inhibit the endocrine and reproductive systems, adversely affect the functioning of the brain, cardiovascular system, and contribute to the development of malignant tumors.
There are different types of plastic bottles. Among them:
- PET (PET) 1 - polyethylene terephthalate. It is mainly used in the production of bottled water. Non-toxic, but intended for single use only. PET 1 is not resistant to high temperatures and alkalis. It will not work well to wash. But such plastic is completely recycled and does not pollute the environment.
- PP (PP) 5 - polypropylene. Heat-resistant safe plastic, which is used for the manufacture of food containers, dishes for children. A reusable polypropylene bottle is reliable and does not cause harm to health.
- About (OTHER) 7. The largest group of plastics, among which the most common is polycarbonate (PC). It makes 19-liter water bottles and baby bottles for feeding. May contain bisphenol A. And although Russian scientists claim that this compound does not pass into cold water, such plastic is prohibited in the USA and some other countries. The data of various studies about its harm are contradictory.
Bottles in which water or other drinks are sold are disposable! The plastic from which they are made is not subject to disinfection.
Recall that the water tank becomes dirty when it comes into contact with the lips. If you drank from the neck, in a day the liquid inside and the container itself will be infested with bacteria. From here, in the old days, they said "do not drink from the throat."
What about glass?
It is believed that in a glass container, drinks retain their maximum taste. It really is. And glass does not exactly emit any harmful substances into the water.
The main advantages of glass containers:
- retains the taste of water;
- extends its shelf life (water in glass is stored for 3 years, and in plastic - 1 year);
- health safety;
- simplicity of leaving - bottles can be washed, sterilized, processed with chemistry;
- environmental friendliness - is processed at the factory without waste.
But here there were some minuses: glass bottles break and are quite heavy.
Modern bottles for water are made from shock-resistant and heat-resistant borosilicate glass. In addition, many manufacturers complete their products with a protective sleeve, for example, made of silicone. But this does not protect against serious influences from the outside. Glass is glass. If it falls from a height onto a hard surface, the product will break.
Aluminum and steel flasks
Belong to the premium segment and are completely safe for health. Aluminum and steel bottles for water have many advantages:
- durable
- keep taste and quality of water;
- easy to clean;
- keep the temperature of drinks;
- look stylish.
The main and, perhaps, the only drawback of aluminum and steel water bottles is the high price. One product costs 2000 rubles or more. If you compare these two materials, the steel is almost eternal, but heavier than aluminum. An aluminum flask is lighter but less durable. Dents may remain from a strong blow if dropped on it.
How to choose a bottle - important parameters
When choosing a suitable water bottle, it is important to pay attention not only to the safety of materials, but also to other characteristics.
7 important parameters:
- Tightness. The lid should close tightly and not leak. It is good if it has protection against accidental opening.
- Ergonomics It is important that the bottle rests comfortably in your hand. To do this, pay attention to the presence of anti-slip coating and recesses for the fingers.
- Volume. 1 liter water bottle is recommended for men, 0.7-1 liter for women. For children and adolescents, a volume of 0.5-0.7 liters will be sufficient.
- Marking. Do not buy unlabelled plastic water bottles. It is likely that they are made from toxic materials.
- Convenient neck. On the wide throat, there should be a guiding collar, which will allow not to drench during drinking.
- The possibility of disinfection. Well, if the material of the bottle is heat-resistant, it can be sterilized and processed in a dishwasher. It is also worth paying attention to the form. The simpler and more concise it is, the easier it is to use a brush when washing.
- Additional functions. There are bottles for water with a secret pocket, with a sprayer, filter, shaker, folding (folding). Think about which features would be useful to you personally.
List of the best
Among companies that produce bottles for water, there is a rating. In the top five:
- Klean Kanteen (from 2700 rub.). The bottles of the American brand are made of food-grade stainless steel. Fully retain the taste of drinks, do not absorb odors. Thanks to the rounded corners and the neck thread, the products are easy to clean.
- Uzspace (from 1300 rub.). They are made of safe, improved plastic - Tritan copolyester. The material is durable and retains excellent appearance even after 2000 cycles in the dishwasher. The bottle is equipped with a latch that protects against accidental opening in the backpack, and protection of the mouthpiece from dirt.
- Contigo (from 1300 rub.). The bottles of the American company have a variety of designs. For example, the popular Autoseal Kangaroo model has a lockable pocket for money, a card and a key. The material used is safe plastic that does not contain bisphenol-A.
- Cheeki (from 2000 rub.). Water bottles are made of luxury stainless steel. Cheeki is a sales leader in Europe and the USA. The Australian brand gives a lifetime warranty on products.
- KOR (from 1000 rubles). American-made bottles can often be seen in science fiction films. They are made of high quality plastic and silicone, which are safe and free of harmful impurities.
All of the above water bottles are used in tourism and sports. If we talk about products for children, the following companies are famous for their safety and high quality:
- Philips Avent
- Medela;
- Brown;
- Nuk;
- Pigeon;
- Tommee Tippee.
True, they are not cheap and cost about 600-800 rubles.
If you want to be sure of the quality of the water bottle, give preference to well-known brands. They value their reputation, spend a lot of time and money on careful monitoring of products and research.
Having become acquainted with the types of materials for bottles, it is worth deciding what suits you personally. High-quality plastic, glass, aluminum and steel are equally safe for health. But they all have their advantages and disadvantages. Glass perfectly retains the taste and quality of water, but it can break. Plastic is inexpensive, practical, but has a limited lifespan. Aluminum jars keep the temperature well, but are expensive and can be deformed. Steel bottles are almost eternal, well retain the taste of water, temperature, but have a high price.