Saturday, December 20, 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

    Watch out! Your smartphone may be harbouring bacteria

    Watch out! Your smartphone may be harbouring bacteria
    A group of students from University of Surrey in Britain has revealed that the home button on your smartphone may be harbouring millions of bacteria...

    Watch out! Your smartphone may be harbouring bacteria

    Shun bad habits together when it comes to health

    Shun bad habits together when it comes to health
    If your wife finally puts on her shoes and hit the gym, it is possible that you will follow her footsteps for a healthy life together...

    Shun bad habits together when it comes to health

    Even with regular exercise, excessive sitting linked to disease, premature death

    Even with regular exercise, excessive sitting linked to disease, premature death
    TORONTO — Sitting on one's butt for a major part of the day may be deadly in the long run — even with a regimen of daily exercise, researchers say.

    Even with regular exercise, excessive sitting linked to disease, premature death

    Poor sleep leads to alcohol and drug addiction

    Poor sleep leads to alcohol and drug addiction
    Sleep difficulties and hours of sleep can predict a number of specific problems, including binge drinking, driving under the influence and risky sexual behaviour..

    Poor sleep leads to alcohol and drug addiction

    Gene linked to profound vision loss discovered

    Gene linked to profound vision loss discovered
    An exhaustive hereditary analysis of a large Louisiana family with vision issues has revealed a new gene related to an incurable eye disorder called...

    Gene linked to profound vision loss discovered

    Genetic mutations can't explain asthma

    Genetic mutations can't explain asthma
    Despite a strong suspected link between genetics and asthma, genetic mutations account for only a small part of the risk for developing the disease, shows a new study...

    Genetic mutations can't explain asthma