Tomi Milos
Features Editor
So, 2014 is almost two months old and you’ve managed to stick to your new year’s resolutions for the most part. You’ve been a regular at The Pulse (where you’ve spent more time admiring others’ physique than improving your own), you’ve cut down on the fast food (other than that one time you wandered into McDonalds in a drunken stupor), and you’ve stopped using Snapchat long enough to finish your readings. But are you hydrating properly?
By now, the 8 cups of water per day rule has become ingrained in our consciousness. But recent findings suggest that merely 8 may not be enough. Instead, men should be drinking 13 cups (3 litres) per day, while women should be consuming 9 cups (2.2 litres). Drinking the prescribed amount holds a plethora of health benefits. Water assists the digestive system, keeps your skin clear by flushing out toxins, eases metabolization, and keeps energy levels up.
While it may seem inconsequential, the vessel you hold your water in it can render the rewards you reap for quenching your thirst invalid. That plastic Nestle bottle you’ve been reusing? Better off in the recycling bin. Same with that so-called “BPA free” one you bought under the impression that it was a step up from the ones that got recalled in 2008.
BPA stands for Bisphenol A, a chemical that’s been linked to cancer and heart disease. The problem with the bottles that tout the fact that they’re “BPA free” is that no industry regulations exist for companies to meet before they can slap the label on their products.
Unlined aluminum bottles like those made by Kleen Kanteen may be truly BPA free and easily cleanable, but they leave your H20 with a distinctly metallic taste that’s far from refreshing.
A safe alternative that combines quality craftsmanship and portability is the glass bottle.
Although they vastly outstrip their plastic, stainless steel, and aluminum cousins, glass bottles offer both superior taste and aesthetic design.
Acknowledging that glass isn’t the most durable of materials even for a sure-handed individual let alone a klutz, most manufacturers have wised up and added protective silicone cases that only add to the eye-catching appeal of their products. As a bonus, glass is dishwasher-approved and allows you to store other liquids like juice or milk in them without fear that their odour will linger long after they’ve been consumed (shoutout to that Kanye tweet: “Room service uuuuugh! I hate when I order fruit and I can taste the other food they cut with the same knife.”)
Without further ado, here are five of our favourites:
bkr
Size: 500ml or 1L
Made in: San Francisco
Removable sleeve: Yes
Different colours: Almost too many
Where to buy: mybkr.com, polkadotpond.ca, tweedandhickory.com, Holt Renfrew (in store)
A short and squat bottle with an intentionally small mouth opening adorned by a solid carrying hook. The fact that it fits in your hand perfectly and that Emmy Rossum can regularly be seen toting one is all the reassurance you need.
Takeya Modern Glass Water Bottle
Size: 16oz or 18oz
Made in: glass in Japan, silicone and cap in China
Different colours: Black Mist, Ice Green, Ice Pink, Ice Blue, Natural
Removable sleeve: Yes, but discouraged by company
Where to buy: amazon.ca, shop.terra20.com
These beautiful bottles share Apple’s clean sense of minimalism and are just a joy to look at. Disclaimer: We wouldn’t condone placing one next to your Macbook because they’re as tall and slim as a runway model and liable to get knocked over. The cap is easy to twist off.
Bamboo Bottle
Size: 17oz (500ml)
Made in:
Different colours: no
Removable sleeve: yes
Where to buy: jesscrunchyshop.com, amazon.com, shop.gessato.com
True to its name, the Bamboo bottle is encased in a sleeve made of a panda’s favourite snack. The green accents may not be to everyone’s tastes, but they really let the world know you’re making an environmentally conscious decision. The bevy of parts may not be fun to clean, but that’s the price you have to pay for not contributing to landfills.
Camelbak eddy Glass
Size: 24oz (700ml)
Made in: France and China
Different colours: Charcoal, Purple, Aqua, Lime
Removable sleeve: yes
Where to buy: amazon.ca, ogc.ca
Camelbak’s offering is probably the most gym-friendly of the bunch. The bottle’s valve and straw combo means no spillage and no tipping back your head to drink. Available in four colours, the eddy is an easy choice for the more active person.
