Water is the source of life, and drinking enough water every day is essential to maintain the water balance in the body. In daily life, some people are accustomed to boiling water for a long time to drink, and some people are worried about the quality of tap water and choose bottled water or bottled water.
So, who is healthier between people who boil water for a long time and people who often buy bottled water to drink? As we all know, the health effects of microplastics have become an issue that cannot be ignored. Microplastic particles can be found everywhere – in water, soil, air, and even in the human heart, blood, placenta. Not only does it pose a threat to the ecological environment, but it also has a potential impact on our health.
So, since there are microplastics in both water and soil, is it a little healthier to drink bottled/bottled water? The results of a number of studies have greatly surprised us.
Drink bottled water for a long time,
What are the health risks?
In January 2024, the international academic journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) published a new study that found that there are about 240,000 detectable microplastics per liter of bottle/barrel of water on average.
Screenshot of the study
For the first time, researchers are able to observe "nanoscale plastics" (plastic particles smaller than 1 micron) in bottled/tubed water using new optical imaging techniques. These tiny "nanoplastics" can pass through cells in our gut or lungs, enter the bloodstream, and even reach the heart and brain. Even for pregnant mothers, it crosses the placenta and eventually enters the fetus.
The study also found that when a bottled water bottle is squeezed or exposed to high temperatures, it may enter the water as the debris comes off. Even when the cap is opened and closed repeatedly, many plastic particles can get into the water.
Are there no "microplastics" in tap water? There are too! In 2019, the World Health Organization released an analysis report on "Microplastics in Drinking Water", which pointed out that plastic pollutants exist in the ocean, sewage, fresh water, and drinking water (including bottled water and tap water).
The study found that:
Boiling water can significantly reduce microplastics
In February 2024, Professor Li Zhanjun of Guangzhou Medical University and Professor Zeng Yongping of the School of Environment of Jinan University published a research result in the journal Environmental Science and Technology Letters, which found that boiling water and simply filtering it can remove up to 84% of nano/microplastics! This is the simplest and most harmless way to "purify" water, thereby reducing the intake of microplastics caused by drinking water.
Screenshot of the study
The study found that during the boiling process, the removal efficiency of microplastics in the water gradually increased from the initial 2% to 28% as the water temperature increased (25-95°C), and increased sharply to 84% at 100°C. At the same time, the concentration of microplastics was reduced from 30 particles/microliter to 4.8 particles/microliter.
Where do the microplastics in the water go? It was found that the disappeared microplastics were transferred from the water to the precipitation of the scale, and the calcium carbonate in the scale could be co-precipitated with the microplastics to remove the microplastics in the water.
Microplastics precipitate after combining with calcium carbonate in the process of boiling water, study screenshot
Therefore, the wisdom of boiling water and drinking left by our ancients is better in removing microplastics!
Finally, the study compared the amount of microplastics ingested by adults and children drinking boiled water and tap water in 67 regions across six continents according to different water quality and drinking habits around the world, and found that the amount of microplastics ingested by boiled water per day was 2-5 times less than the amount of microplastics ingested through tap water. Therefore, it is recommended that everyone boil water to drink, which can reduce the intake of microplastics in the human body.
Develop 5 habits
Reduce the entry of microplastics into the human body
Reduce the entry of microplastics into the human body and develop these 5 habits.
1. Reduce the use of single-use plastic products
Reduce the use of disposable plastic tableware, because the disposable paper cups, plastic lunch boxes, plastic bowls and spoons, packaging bags, etc. used are all plastic products;
2. Make it a habit to boil water and drink it yourself
Bring your own water bottle, preferably a glass, enamell, or stainless steel bottle. Try to boil tap water by yourself or cool it down, and drink less bottled water;
3. Don't put a plastic bag in the bowl to eat
Do not put a plastic bag in the bowl to hold hot food; If you need to pack, it is best to use a degradable box, and it is better to bring your own lunch box. Because high temperatures increase the rate and amount of microplastics produced.
4. Make it a habit to use fewer plastic straws
When the liquid comes into contact with the wall of the plastic straw, it will bring microplastics into the body, and hot drinks will increase this risk.
5. Eat less processed foods in plastic packaging
Eat less processed foods, which are packaged in layers and have a higher risk of contamination by microplastics. Canned food is generally coated with bisphenol A, and microplastics will inevitably degrade in the food.
Finally, plastic bottles and plastic bags, do not litter, and put garbage in the designated garbage can to reduce pollution to the environment and avoid microplastics from entering the human body through the food chain.
Source: Health Times