It is quite common to see plastic bottles lining the drinks compartment in someone’s fridge. There must be at least two-three filled in with water or some homemade juices. Some of you may even be carrying a plastic water bottle to your office. But have you ever thought that by doing so, you are also consuming plastic?
According to a research paper by Thomson Reuters Foundation, human beings consume around 44 pounds of plastic throughout their lifetime. And this is a huge quantity. Though in the present scenario, people have started shifting to sustainable brands and eco-friendly practices, plastic continues to find dominance, especially in our kitchen. Even if you are using high-grade plastic, it still carries a lot of chemicals and bacteria which are harmful to our environment as well as our health.
Here are a few dangerous effects of drinking water from plastic bottles:
1. Immune System Impairment:
When we use plastic bottles to drink water, the chemicals especially microplastics ingested into our bodies through them are capable of disturbing our immune systems. If used repeatedly, it can even lead to vomiting and diarrhoea.
2. BPA Generation:
Plastics may contain Bisphenol A (BPA) and as per the studies, BPA can cause health problems such as diabetes, obesity, fertility problems, behavioural problems, and high blood pressure. BPA chemicals mimic the effect of estrogen, which could also lead to breast cancer.
3. Impact on Endocrine glands:
The hormones produced by these glands help to regulate the functions of cells and tissues throughout the body. The ingestion of large amounts of microplastics is found to create endocrine-disrupting impacts due to the presence of phthalates in them. These phthalates also lead to problems like liver cancer, reduced sperm count, and development disorders.
A report regarding microplastics published by National Geographic says that these tiny particles present in plastic bottles can cause hormonal imbalances which can further lead to PCOS, ovarian issues, breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, and many others. So, it’s high time to replace your plastic goods with those made up of glass, ceramic, or stainless steel and lead a plastic-free, cleaner and healthier life.