Wednesday, December 17, 2025
ADVT 
Health

Reusing Plastic Bottles Could Do You More Harm Than Good

Darpan News Desk IANS, 28 Jun, 2017 12:01 PM
    Refilling those plastic bottles again and again could actually be harmful to your health, as per a new research.
     
     
    That's because the plastic bottle you're constantly replenishing isn't made to be re-filled - meaning it could have the potential to leach chemicals and harbour harmful bacteria.
     
     
    In a study conducted by Treadmill Reviews, researchers lab-tested water bottles after each had been used by an athlete for a week and found that the highest number of bacteria reached over 900,000 colony forming units per square cm on average.
     
     
    Worryingly, that's more bacteria than the average toilet seat. It also found that 60 per cent of the germs they found on the water bottles were able to people sick.
     
     
    Although it is important to drink plenty of water, especially during the hot summer months, you may want to think twice next time you reach for that reusable bottle, if you want to avoid germs and getting sick.
     
     
    It's also a great idea to buy BPA-free plastic bottles where possible or invest in a refillable one made out of glass or stainless steel. Because there have been concerns about Bisphenol A (BPA) - a controversial chemical, which is used in the manufacture of plastics and is thought to interfere with sex hormones.
     
     
    "Certain chemicals found in plastic bottles can have effects on every system in our bodies,' Dr Marilyn Glenville warned Good Housekeeping.
     
     
     
     
    "They can affect ovulation, and increase our risk of hormonally driven problems like PCOS, endometriosis and breast cancer, among other things."
     
     
    It's a sentiment shared by the NHS too, which has confirmed BPA has the potential to migrate into beverages. However, they have suggested that more research is required into the affects of the chemical on humans.
     
     
    It said: "The science is not yet completely clear on how BPA may affect humans. BPA may mimic hormones and interfere with the endocrine system of glands, which release hormones around the body.
     
     
    "Those calling for a ban suggest that it may be a factor in a rising numbers of human illnesses, such as breast cancer, heart disease and genital birth defects."
     
     
    But aside from this, there is another potentially worrying side effect of topping up your water bottle - bacteria.
     
     
    So what can you do to avoid becoming ill?
     
     
    It's simple really - don't re-use disposable bottles. Drink from them once and then recycle.
     
    Previous research has also shown that pregnant women exposed to BPA in high doses can potentially lead to low birth weight (LBW) in newborn children.

    MORE Health ARTICLES

    Zika Infections Confirmed In 9 Pregnant Women In US

    Zika Infections Confirmed In 9 Pregnant Women In US
    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday that it is also investigating 10 additional reports of pregnant travellers with Zika.

    Zika Infections Confirmed In 9 Pregnant Women In US

    Public Health Agency Says 14 Travel-Related Cases Of Zika Virus In Canada

    The latest confirmed case is in Saskatchewan and other cases have been confirmed in Ontario, Alberta and B.C.

    Public Health Agency Says 14 Travel-Related Cases Of Zika Virus In Canada

    Edmonton Hospital Performing Record Number Of Lung And Liver Transplants

    Edmonton Hospital Performing Record Number Of Lung And Liver Transplants
    They performed 83 liver transplants, besting the previous record of 80 set in 2007, and 22 of those were transplants involving living donors.

    Edmonton Hospital Performing Record Number Of Lung And Liver Transplants

    Health Canada Warns Cancer Pill Sold Online Could Release Cyanide When Ingested

    Health Canada Warns Cancer Pill Sold Online Could Release Cyanide When Ingested
    Health Canada says Novodalin B17 "poses serious risks to health" because it purportedly contains apricot kernel extract.

    Health Canada Warns Cancer Pill Sold Online Could Release Cyanide When Ingested

    Small Study Suggests Zmapp May Boost Ebola Virus Survival

    Small Study Suggests Zmapp May Boost Ebola Virus Survival
    A tiny study may suggest that the experimental Ebola treatment ZMapp sharply increases the chance of surviving the virus.

    Small Study Suggests Zmapp May Boost Ebola Virus Survival

    14 More US Reports Of Possible Zika Spread Through Sex

    14 More US Reports Of Possible Zika Spread Through Sex
    The 14 cases all involve men who visited areas with Zika outbreaks, and who many have infected their female sex partners, who had not travelled.

    14 More US Reports Of Possible Zika Spread Through Sex