Healthy shopping: The safest plastic-free water bottles

Swap your plastic water bottle for a glass or stainless steel one to protect yourself from microplastics, says Joanna Evans

Compared to people who drink tap water, people who regularly drink from plastic bottles have an extra 90,000 microplastic particles in their body after just one year, a new study has revealed. And microplastics have been linked to chronic inflammation, microbiome changes, reproductive problems, cancer and more.

Switching to a plastic-free water bottle could therefore be a simple way to cut your exposure to microplastics and improve your health.

Stainless steel and glass are widely considered the safest options for water bottles because they don’t leach chemicals into the water. Stainless steel is an excellent choice if you want a bottle that’s durable and travel-friendly, while glass is ideal for a neutral taste.

Here are a few more things to look for when shopping for a nontoxic water bottle, plus some top products to try.

Food-grade stainless steel (also known as 18/8, 304 or 316 stainless steel) is highly resistant to corrosion, bacteria and other contaminants.

Plain, uncoated, unlined interiors won’t contaminate the water. Plastic linings or enamel coatings can leach chemicals and break down over time.

Plastic-free lids or caps can be hard to find, but look for bottle designs that ensure no plastic touches the water. Avoid plastic straws and spouts too.

Wide mouth bottles are easier to clean.

A practical design that suits your needs will ensure you keep using it. Glass may not be best if you plan on throwing your bottle into your gym bag daily—unless it comes with a protective sleeve.

Products to try

Klean Kanteen
Reflect bottle, $32.95/£29.95 (27 oz / 800 mL)
US: kleankanteen.com; UK: kleankanteen.co.uk

Made from high-quality, 18/8, food-grade stainless steel, this simple and sleek water bottle features an electropolished interior, a leak-proof bamboo and stainless steel cap, and a food-grade silicone seal. If you want an insulated option, check out the Rise Reflect line.

Black+Blum
Glass Water Bottle, $24.95/£21.95 (20 oz / 600 mL)
US: blackblum.com; UK: black-blum.com

Along with a stylish range of stainless steel water bottles, London-based company Black+Blum offers this practical bottle made of durable borosilicate glass, which comes with a non-slip protective silicone sleeve and a handy carry loop. Unlike those of many other glass water bottles, the lid is made of stainless steel to ensure no plastic comes in contact with the water.

Ever Vessel
Glass Multi, $49/£39 (14 oz / 420 mL)
evervessel.com

Ideal for home or office use, this double-walled borosilicate glass bottle comes with a stainless steel tea infuser accessory and keeps drinks hot for up to three hours (and cool for up to six hours). While the lid is made of plastic, it has a stainless steel inner plate that keeps liquid away from the plastic thread.

Other brands to try

US

Love Bottle
lovebottle.com

Mesh Bottles
meshbottles.com

Healthy Human
healthyhumanlife.com

UK

Moon Bottles
moonbottles.co.uk

Bambaw
bambaw.com

Elephant Box
elephantbox.co.uk

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