Bottled Water Leeches 24,000 Chemicals into Your Body, Study Finds
Several companies have stopped using BPA in plastic production due to consumer outrage, but just because a plastic container says it is “BPA Free” doesn’t mean it’s free of potentially harmful chemicals. As a matter of fact, recent research out of Germany indicates there are more than 24,000 of such chemicals in any given bottle of water—with some of them causing serious hormone-disrupting effects.
According to the story from Goethe University Frankfort, the researchers tested 18 different bottled water products in an effort to look for endocrine disrupting chemicals, or EDCs. They found far more than expected, identifying 24,520 different chemicals in their testing.
After isolating the chemicals and determining their impact on the body, the researchers narrowed down those with anti-estrogenic properties to one: DEHF or di(2-ethylhexyl) fumarate. This finding was of major concern.
Out of the 18 different bottled water products, 13 had “significant” anti-estrogenic activity, and 16 out of 18 inhibited the body’s androgen receptors by 90%. In other words, the bottled water was largely wreaking havoc on the human body.
Video: Dangers of Tap Water and How to Protect Yourself
In addition to DEHF, however, the researchers determined there is some yet-unidentified EDCs at work. Something else is causing anti-androgenic effects.
“We confirmed the identity and biological activity of DEHF and additional isomers of dioctyl fumarate and maleate using authentic standards,” the researchers reported in the online journal PLOS One. “Since DEHF is anti-estrogenic but not anti-androgenic we conclude that additional, yet unidentified EDCs must contribute to the antagonistic effect of bottled water.”
Hormone disruption has the potential to cause serious effects on human life, from early maturation in children, to increased risks of certain types of cancers. You can see one of Mike Barrett’s earlier posts outlining some of the nasty effects of BPA. The findings of this recent study, therefore, are nothing to take lightly. We’ve discussed here before how the bottled water industry may encourage you to hydrate while offering a less-than-pure, expensive product.
Read: The Bottled Water Industry Scam
The researchers concluded:
“Moreover, the antagonist activity was very potent. An equivalent of 3.75 ml bottled water inhibited estrogen and androgen receptor by up to 60 and 90 percent. Bottled water from six different countries has been found to contain estrogenic, antiestrogenic, as well as androgenic, progestagenic, and glucocorticoid-like chemicals. This demonstrates that a popular beverage is contaminated with diverse-acting EDCs.”
So guess there aren’t many options out there for people…can’t drink the tap water, can’t drink the bottled water, home filters don’t filter out fluoride, most people can’t afford the expensive home filtering systems; not to mention what you probably have in other drinks from plastic bottles, particularly bottled juices which are acidic like orange juice.
There are filters that filter out fluoride. I understand your frustration, though. I’m right there with ya.
Can you tell us what counter top filters take out fluoride. I’ve yet to find an affordable one.
I just had a reverse osmosis filtration system set up for my drinking water through the culligan man. took me a long time to even look into it because I thought it would cost so much. turns out it’s only $27.50 a month and a one time installation fee for $139. I felt stupid for not looking into it sooner. an r/o filter removes fluoride along with all the other chemicals. now I just need to find a good shower head that will filter decently
Yes they do. I have a whole house filter (yes it was expensive) and it filtered out all fluoride.
In most countries, there’s no fluoride added to the water. Move abroad.
There are BPA hard plastic bottles for refilling at stores (reverse osmosis filters) that I think are OK – but ideally glass – as it doesn’t leach. Our government should follow the EU and get rid of the Cold War antiquated thinking that our water needs chemical fluoride for strong teeth. It’s ridiculous and has adverse health problems for people especially infants and children. Ideally we would all have expensive home filters that get ride of pharmaceuticals, fluoride, etc… but most people can’t afford those and have Brittas or Pur filters which don’t do a whole lot but I suppose are better than nothing.
It’s time for the good old natural water well.
Unless you are in my part of Texas. Fracking is ruining the wells.
The first time my father introduced me to a glass of fresh water from the front yard water well, where he grew up as a child deep in the woods, it made angry. Looking at the glass, the water had tiny elements, so I refused to drink the water. I insisted for my mother to drive me to town for a soda from the fast food burger joint. A few years later, I decided to taste the water from that same water well. The taste was fresh. Now I can’t wait to construct a water well, on my own property. It’s time to return home and clean my father’s water well, which he installed a water pump system connecting inside My grandmother’s home. Furthermore, the well is protected by a cement wall and cement top. I owe it to my father to clean that water well for our family reunions. Emphatically, the time is now to build a brand-new estate on all those acres. The new construction may include eighteen bedrooms, which is exactly the number of children, which My grandmother gave birth. In addition, three large living areas, three kitchens, media room, six complete bathrooms, and three wash rooms. A circular front drive with a side parking area for our massive family. Building six additional homes replacing other family homes. I hope to purchase the acres where the Charolais Cattle roamed with the mega mansion. Not in my life did I ever think I would reach back and appreciate living in the heart of the country. The more I hear about chemically infested foods, water, and toxic minded people of the human race, I love the country. The stars really shine bright at night, in the country.
BPA has most recently been found to not be as destructive as previously thought. OK, fine, bottled water is bad, you make the point. However, you have not offered any alternative. What should we drink? Fluoridated, arsenic, chlorine and pharmaceutical laden recycled toilet water? For that’s what the alternativer, tap water, is. Another alternative is purchasing water in glass bottles, but those don’t come in larger sizes.
just stupid and funny same time: We try to get rid of the poision in the water we are putting in instead of stopping poisoning the clean water.
I had a reverse osmosis machine for about 380 at the time at home in the 80s for years but in those days we did not know to add a touch of minerals too it and we got quite affected by that altho we were eating organic at the time and not eating any junk. More recently people who sell them usually advise you to put a bit of pink salt in the water – just a teeny bit. Nowadays I have not got a permanent tap so it is getting difficult.
For anyone looking to filter out Fluoride from their water you have to purchase a home distiller. Just type in “Distiller” in Amazon and you will get a list. MegaHome makes a nice counter top one.