How To Balance Hormonal Levels By Avoiding Plastic Water Bottles

Plastic water bottles have become ubiquitous in our daily lives. Whether you go to a supermarket, or on the streets many people are still using plastic water bottles, yet few realize the potential hormonal disruptions, these seemingly harmless containers may cause such as lowering testosterone and increasing estrogen levels. By opting for alternatives to the plastic water bottle, you indirectly boost your testosterone.

Table of contents

• Introduction

• Endocrine Disruptors and Their Effects

• Microplastic

• Ways to reduce Endocrine Disruptors and Microplastic

• Summary
  

When plastic water bottles are exposed to heat, UV light and physical stress, they slowly release hormone - disrupting chemicals also called endocrine disruptors.
Over time, these compounds can accumulate in your body causing negative effects on your hormone levels.

Endocrine Disruptors and Their Effects
Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that interfere with hormone function in the body. When you drink water or other fluids that have been stored in plastic water bottles, there is a high chance that these compounds can leach into your drink and body. Plastic water bottles usually contain the following endocrine disruptors:

• Bisphenol A (BPA) - Which is linked to disruption of reproductive, thyroid and metabolic hormones

• Phthalates - Associated with interference in testosterone and estrogen levels.

• Alkylphenols - May reduce production of progesterone and testosterone

Moreover, research has demonstrated that exposure to endocrine disruptors, even at low levels can:

• Lower testosterone levels due to high exposure of phtalaltes and BPA. According to a study (Swan et. al 2015) it can be reduced with up to 24 - 34 % in both men and women
  This can impact the fertility, libido and muscle mass in men.

• Raise estrogen levels: This may increase breast cancer risk in women

• Disrupt thyroid function: Leading to weight gain, fatigue and mood changes

• Alter insulin regulation: Possibly contributing to diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

So while a single plastic bottle may not seem to showing much risk, the accumulated impact of years of exposure adds up - with great consequences for your health!

In addition plastic water bottles contain something called Microplastics. Microplastics are particles that are less than 5 mm in size. Some studies have shown that people who use a lot plastic water bottles, may ingest up to a 'credit card' size of microplastic per week.
They are released from plastic products through UV exposure, abrasion and fragmentation. Plastic water bottles are inevitable exposed to heat, light or rough handling which gradually shed microplastics into the water they contain.

Once microplastics are in water, they are almost impossible to filter out. Studies have shown that plastic bottles typically release hundreds to thousands of microplastics per liter (34 oz) during their lifespan. Therefore, it is true that we consume these microplastics when we drink from plastic bottles.

Microplastics

Microplastics have been detected in human tissues and feces, indicating our bodies may not fully eliminate them. Their effects are still being studied but research suggests microplastics may:

• Disrupt hormone function - Similar to larger plastic chemicals, microplastics may act as endocrine disruptors

• Cause cellular damage and inflammation - Microplastics particles have been shown to cause oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in human cells

• Carry toxic chemicals - Microplastics often contain or absorb toxic additives and pollutants that can leach out inside the body

• Interfere with digestion - Microplastics may damage digestive tissues and disrupt nutrient absorption.

Therefore, it is important to reduce microplastic consumption from water bottles. We've reviewed some of the best eco friendly bottles in the world, which you have at look at here.

General ways to reduce exposure to endocrine disruptors and microplastic:

• Choose eco friendly water bottles made from glass, stainless steel etc as previously mentioned - These do not leach chemicals like BPA and phthalates into your water and ultimately your body

• Filter your tap water - Install a whole-house or faucet-mount filter to ensure clean, safe drinking water from your tap.

Summary
The convenience of plastic water bottles comes at the cost of potentially disrupting your testosterone and other hormones through harmful chemical exposure. Switching to sustainble water bottles, filtering your tap water and reducing unnecessary plastic bottles can all help lower your risk and increase your testosterone levels natural, fast and at a very low cost.

1. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences - Information on endocrine disrupting chemicals in plastics and their health effects:
   https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/endocrine/index.cfm

2. Mayo Clinic - Article discussing how endocrine disruptors can impact hormones:
   https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/endocrine-disruptors/art-20048273

3. Harvard School of Public Health - Study on BPA and phthalates in plastic bottles and links to hormone disruption:
   https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/features/bpa-alternative-bisphenols-possibly-unsafe/

4. Endocrine Society - Position statement on health effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals:
   https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/priorities-and-positions/endocrine-disrupting-chemicals-edcs-position-statement

5. PubMed - Review of research on hormonal effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals:
   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22877510/

6. World Health Organization - Information page on endocrine disrupting chemicals:
   https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/endocrine-disruptors-what-are-they

7. Swan et al. (2015). Decrease in anogenital distance among male infants with prenatal phthalate exposure. Environmental health perspectives, 123(1), 93053.