Should You Consider a Copper Water Bottle?

If you’re anything like me, you’re always resolving to drink more water.  I drink a lot of tea and eat a lot of hydrating foods, but it’s just no substitute for pure, filtered water.  I’ve also had my share of nifty water bottles, including the one that encourages you throughout the day with the little time markers to keep you on track (“It’s 6pm, you’re almost there!”).  I love getting a pat on the back from a bottle! And maybe I’m just a sucker for micro-achievements, because I also get an unnatural level of satisfaction from checking off the boxes on my to-do list.  But back to water.  My new favorite addition to my drink-more-water regimen is my copper water bottle.

First of all, it looks pretty sweet.  It’s sleek and shiny and makes drinking water that much more enticing.  Second, like water, copper is essential for our bodies.  And when you store water in a copper bottle for a few hours or overnight, the mineral leaches into the water and infuses it, so you’re getting a healthy dose of copper.  

The belief that copper plays many beneficial roles in our bodies has its roots in Ayurveda, which promotes the belief that storing water in copper vessels charges the water with vitality and restores balance to our three doshas (vata (air + ether), kapha (earth + water) and pitta (fire+ water)).  

So, what are some of the (purported) benefits, and are there detriments?

1.  Anti-bacterial – Copper has long been accepted as having anti-bacterial properties.  Even those who don’t accept the other touted benefits of copper accept this much.  Copper kills harmful bacteria, and copper vessels have historically been used in areas lacking clean water to cleanse the water before consumption.  In terms of benefits beyond clean water, its anti-bacterial properties are also thought to reduce inflammation in the digestive system, heal wounds more quickly, and protect you from infections. 

2.  Natural Antioxidant – Copper binds with free radicals in our bodies, which makes it a great antioxidant to add to our arsenal.  Because of this function, copper is thought to play a role in slowing down aging, beautifying the skin, and even protecting us from diseases like cancer, heart disease and dementia. 

3.  Anti-Inflammatory – Copper is also thought to be anti-inflammatory, so is considered beneficial for those dealing with inflammatory conditions, like arthritis.  And in reality, the vast majority of diseases have their roots in inflammation, so anything we can do to reduce inflammation in our bodies is key.

There are a lot of other supposed benefits, like that copper assists with the absorption of iron, so is helpful for those with anemia.  Check out this National Institute of Health study discussing some essential roles copper plays in our bodies, including iron absorption, blood pressure control, and defending against oxidative damage, to name a few.

However, some are skeptical about the benefits of copper outside of its anti-bacterial properties, and, admittedly, the clinical studies are mixed.  This Healthline article outlines some of the varying conclusions from copper studies on health outcomes.  And are there any real concerns? 

The primary (likely only) concern is potential copper toxicity.  The normal upper limit for daily copper intake is 10 milligrams per day, but studies have shown that water from a copper vessel (stored for up to 16 hours) contains levels of copper still well below the permissible limit set by the World Health Organization.  Check out the discussion in this Healthline article.  Like anything, we want to keep our bodies in balance, so it wouldn’t be ideal to drink water from a copper water bottle all day long, every day, or water that’s been stored in copper for a long time, but if you approach it (like most things) with a mindset of moderation, you should be A-ok.

Also, you want to ensure proper cleaning of your bottle.  Most instructions tell you to clean your bottle with an acid (like lemon juice or vinegar) and some salt or baking soda.  Definitely do this prior to using the bottle for the first time.  And very importantly, the only thing you should be drinking from your copper water bottle is water.  No milk, juice, or any other liquid, and it’s not suitable for super-hot or freezing water either.  Basically, follow the directions that come with your bottle, and make sure to look for one that has its roots in Ayurveda and is legit copper.  With real copper, over time, your bottle will patina (which you can wash off with lemon and baking soda); if this isn’t happening, you may have purchased an imposter.  Here’s a link to the one I have, made by Otiem, but there are many to choose from!

Other than that, there aren’t really any other concerns! And while the clinical studies regarding the appreciable benefits of drinking water from a copper vessel are mixed, the question is whether this lack of clinical data should influence us one way or the other.  After all, there are no randomized control trials proving that smoking causes cancer (that would be unethical), but we know it does through observational studies.  At the end of the day, a dearth of rigorous scientific studies doesn’t always mean something is or isn’t true.  And there is a lot to be said for the wisdom of ancient practices like Ayurveda. 

So…maybe give it a try! Or not! But either way, drink that water!