Glass vs Stainless Steel

Everyone knows that plastic disposable water bottles are problematic. They’re bad for the planet, contain toxins (including BPA), and cost more in the long run than reusable bottles. There are many options out there for more sustainable hydration, from BPA-free plastic bottles to stainless steel or glass water bottles. However, not all reusable water bottles are necessarily good. Here are a few reasons why stainless steel just can’t compare to glass water bottles.

Several studies have found that stainless steel water bottles are not as safe as previously thought.

  • Metal water bottles may leach BPA (source)
  • Many “stainless steel” water bottles are actually made from aluminum, which is linked to Alzheimer’s. Bottles made from this material generally also have a plastic liner that can contain BPA or other chemicals (source).
  • Stainless steel bottles can leach iron, chromium and nickel into alkaline and acidic beverages (source)

In addition, the manufacturing process for stainless steel bottles is unsustainable. Making the product requires the processing of nickel and chromium ores, resulting in ten times more pollution than ordinary steel. The ore extraction to create the material involves energy-intensive heating that releases carcinogens, particulates and toxic material into the air, soil and water. Producing that 300-gram stainless steel bottle requires seven times as much fossil fuel, releases 14 times more greenhouse gases, demands the extraction of hundreds of times more metal resources, and causes hundreds of times more toxic risk to people and ecosystems than making a 32-gram plastic bottle (source). Obviously, the cost of one metal water bottle that can be reused indefinitely is much lower than the cost of billions of discarded plastic bottles. However, the best alternative for your health and the environment is glass.

There’s a reason why spirits and wine are bottled in glass: purity of flavor. Glass is non-permeable and won’t absorb color, odor or taste. Glass is the natural choice for better tasting beverages. Here are the other benefits of glass water bottles:

  • Made from naturally abundant materials, like sand, limestone and soda ash
  • Durable – will not degrade over time
  • Won’t leach chemicals
  • Can be used for liquids other than water without affecting the material or absorbing tastes and odors
  • Dishwasher-safe
  • Glass is 100 percent recyclable and can be recycled endlessly without loss in quality or purity. An estimated 80 percent of recovered glass containers are made into new glass bottles.
  • A glass container can go from a recycling bin to a store shelf in as little as 30 days.
  • Suitable for hot or cold beverages

The biggest drawback to glass, of course, is its fragility. Because glass is so easy to break, many gyms, hiking trails, athletic facilities, and other venues restrict the use of glass bottles. This is what makes Glasstic so different from other glass water bottles. Glasstic incorporates a plastic shell that contains the glass container in its interior. If you drop it and the glass breaks inside, all of the glass will remain contained inside the shell. This makes disposing of any broken glass much easier, plus the glass insert is replaceable! For this reason, you can take a Glasstic bottle anywhere.

When you compare glass to stainless steel, it’s easy to see which one comes out on top in terms of safety, sustainability and functionality.

Feb. 2, 2016

Water bottle & cancer

Depending on where you live and work, you're likely to be exposed to many plastic products every day. Food and beverage containers, some disposable plates, and toiletry bottles are all plastic and all are made from chemicals. Research suggests that all plastics may leach chemicals if they're scratched or heated. Research also strongly suggests that at certain exposure levels, some of the chemicals in these products, such as bisphenol A (BPA), may cause cancer in people.

BPA is a weak synthetic estrogen found in many rigid plastic products, food and formula can linings, dental sealants, and on the shiny side of paper cashier receipts (to stabilize the ink). Its estrogen-like activity makes it a hormone disruptor, like many other chemicals in plastics. Hormone disruptors can affect how estrogen and other hormones act in the body, by blocking them or mimicking them, which throws off the body's hormonal balance. Because estrogen can make hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer develop and grow, many women choose to limit their exposure to these chemicals that can act like estrogen.

BPA also seems to affect brain development in the womb. In 2011, a study found that pregnant women with high levels of BPA in their urine were more likely to have daughters who showed signs of hyperactivity, anxiety, and depression. The symptoms were seen in girls as young as 3. It’s not clear why boys aren’t affected in the same way.

Feb. 2, 2016

Steps to take

Steps you can take
While it's likely impossible to completely avoid all plastic products, try to use as little plastic as possible, especially if you're pregnant, and never use it around food.

To reduce your exposure to BPA:

Carry your own glass, steel, or ceramic water bottle filled with filtered tap water.
Reduce how much canned food you eat and how much canned formula your baby uses.
Use baby bottles with labels that say "BPA free."
Avoid handling carbonless copy cash register receipts. If you get a carbonless receipt, don't recycle it. Recycling receipts with BPA in them can spread the BPA to other products made with recycled paper, including napkins and toilet paper.
Look closely at plastics with a number 7 recycling symbol on the bottom. If the plastic doesn't also say "PLA" or have a leaf symbol on it, it may contain BPA. See the chart below for more information on plastic types.
To reduce your exposure to other chemicals in plastics:

Don't cook food in plastic containers or use roasting/steaming bags; the plastic residues may leach into food when heated in a regular or microwave oven.
Use glass, porcelain, enamel-covered metal, or stainless steel pots, pans, and containers for food and beverages whenever possible, especially if the food or drink is hot.
Plastics with recycling symbol 2, 4, and 5 are generally considered OK to use. Plastics with recycling symbol 7 are OK to use as long as they also say "PLA" or have a leaf symbol on them. The recycling symbol number is the code that shows what type of plastic was used to make the product.
Recycling symbol 1 is also OK to use, but shouldn't be used more than once (no refilling those store-bought water bottles!). Keep all plastic containers out of the heat and sun.

Polyethylene terephtalate

Feb. 2, 2016

The Top Benefits of Fruit-Infused Water

Suppressing your appetite

Keeping you hydrated

Naturally detoxing

Reduces muscle fatigue while you’re exercising

Helps your body recover from a workout

Regulates moods by avoiding blood sugar spikes

Improves skin complexion

Hydration
Water should be your go-to drink. Stop reaching for sugar-laden juices and sodas and cut down on the cocktails if you’ve been experiencing bloating, weight gain, or moodiness. Your diet will affect all three. Staying hydrated helps to rid the body of toxins, improve your complexion, and regulate moods by ensuring that you aren’t falling victim to blood sugar spikes and crashes.

Infusing fruit into your water is a great way to add flavor if you’re having a hard time meeting your daily intake. Pick your favorite fruit and infuse for at least 30 minutes, or longer if you prefer a stronger flavor.

A cucumber, lime and lemon mix will keep your body hydrated and happy. These fruits also help with weight management, appetite suppressing, bloating and digestion.



Recovery
Recovery is one of the most important, but overlooked, keys to a healthy lifestyle. Proper recovery time and recovery fuel helps you get the most out of your workout and gives your body and mind the fuel you need to conquer tomorrow.

How does fruit-infused water impact recovery? Fruits are beneficial to just about every part of your health and they contain antioxidants and important vitamins. Vitamin C is essential to recovery, as it improves and strengthens your immune system and keeps you feeling energized.

To promote recovery and enjoy a sweet-tasting drink, infuse oranges into your water.



Detoxing
If you’re looking to start a healthier diet and kick the sugar or carb habit to the curb, detox drinks are a great place to start. While we don’t recommend following a fruit-infusion diet for longer than three days (your body does need the essential nutrients provided by whole, clean foods), it can be a great - and cheap - way to rid yourself of extra toxins and prepare your body for something new.

The best part is you can infuse any of your favorite fruits into your drink. Play with different combinations and recipes and find which ones taste best to you. To maximize the benefits of your fruit infused detox drink, create a recipe that combines fruit and another fat-burning or appetite-suppressing ingredient, such as cinnamon. An apple cinnamon combination can be a tasty and refreshing treat.

You can make your servings a single Glasstic water bottles, or you can create your three-days’ worth of detox water by using a fruit infusion pitcher and then pouring it into your bottle to enjoy it on the go.



Skin Health
Another well-known benefit of staying hydrated and eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is clearer skin and reduced wrinkles. Since our bodies are predominantly water, staying hydrated results in healthier skin because your water intakes helps regenerate new skin cells. Sugar can cause a breeding ground for acne and blemishes. The negative effects it has on your body can be seen on your skin. If you’ve been suffering from an increased amount of acne but can’t quite figure out what the problem is, take a look at your diet.



Recipes
Below we’ve compiled some recipes to help you in your fruit infusion water search. Try these below or make your own - there’s no wrong way to drink your fruits.

Lemon, Lime and Cucumber Water
This water recipe is a popular and beneficial one. Lemon aids in digestion and increases your metabolism. Infusing more lemon than cucumber and lime will give the water a more tart taste but increase the benefits you get from it. We recommend mixing equal parts of all fruits.

Mango Ginger Water
Ginger is a great ingredient to help with digestion and weight loss. Ginger can also help with nausea and morning sickness - remember how often you’ve reached for that ginger ale? This is a great, healthier alternative. Add mango to the mix for a sweet, tropical flavor.

Apple Cinnamon Water
This recipe is reminiscent of apple cider with its spicy and fruity qualities. If you’re not already consuming cinnamon as a spice on your foods - you better start, and this is a great way to supplement your intake. The popular spice is known for its many benefits, including lowering cholesterol and fighting diabetes. An apple a day may not keep the doctor away completely - but it will certainly help. Apples are high in antioxidants and Vitamins C and B complex. Have a taste of fall with this wonderful combination.

Mandarin Orange Water
This is a sweet treat with a kick of Vitamin C. Use Mandarin oranges for a twist.

Cucumber, Lemon and Cilantro Water
Skip the lime and add cilantro for a clean, light and refreshing taste. If you have a lot of cilantro in your fridge that you have trouble using before it goes bad, this is the perfect way to put it to good use.

We hope you’ve enjoyed the suggested recipes and information about fruit infusion. The best thing about fruit infusion is that you can make it entirely your own - no need to follow a recipe or specific serving sizes. Drink what tastes good to you.

Infusion Water

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http://affiliates.glassticwaterbottle.com/coupons/index/oid:20063_354

Below are some infusions the doTERRA team came up with for you to try. We hope you enjoy the deliciousness as much as we did!

  1. Sliced grapefruit, cantaloupe, and honeydew with 1 drop Lime essential oil
  2. Cranberries sliced in half, kiwi, blackberries, blueberries, pomegranate seeds, and basil with 2 drops Lime essential oil 
  3. Sliced carrot, celery stalk, and peppermint leaves with 1 toothpick Cardamom essential oil 
  4. Sliced tomatoes and kiwi with 1 drop Lime essential oil 
  5. Sliced orange, sliced apple, and pomegranate seeds with 1 drop Cinnamon Bark and Lemon essential oils 
  6. Blackberries and mango with 1 drop Lemon essential oil. 
  7. Sliced strawberry, lemon, and peppermint leaves with 1 drop Peppermint essential oil 
  8. Lemon, blueberry, and mango with 1 drop Ginger essential oil
  9. Apple, lemon, and pomegranate seeds with 1 drop Cardamom essential oil 
  10. Raspberries with 1 drop Bergamot essential oil
  11. Sliced carrot, cucumber, tomato, and basil with 1 drop Basil essential oil
  12. Sliced apples with 1 drop Cinnamon Bark essential oil 
  13. Clementines and rosemary with 1 drop Wild Orange essential oil 
  14. Raspberries and peppermint leaves with 1 drop Peppermint essential oil 
  15. Apple slices, orange wedges, and 1 toothpick doTERRA On Guard® Protective Blend 
  16. Pineapple spears with 1 drop Slim & Sassy® essential oil 
  17. Raspberries, clementine, golden delicious apple, pomegranate seeds, pineapple, and blueberries with 1 drop Grapefruit essential oil

    (Note: Cut blueberries in half to extract more flavor)

  18. Sliced strawberries and peppermint leaves with 1 drop Lemon essential oil 
  19. Pomegranate seeds and sliced Lemon with 1 drop Grapefruit essential oil 
  20. Sliced lemon and strawberries with 1 drop Lime essential oil 
  21. Sliced cucumbers with 1 drop Spearmint essential oil 
  22. Sliced cranberries, kiwi, blueberries, pomegranate seeds, mint leaves, and blackberries with 1 drop Lime essential oil