Water Bottles: What's Safe?

When you finish a great workout and reach for something to refresh yourself, it’s important to know that the bottleholding your beverage of choice is safe. Studies have indicated that drinking out of certain types of plastic beverage bottles containing BPA (bisphenol A) are less safe than available alternatives.

A report from a Mayo Clinic nutritionist about BPA, a chemical that has been used to make plastics for more than 40 years, says new research has shown that BPA can seep into food or drink. The Food and Drug Administration agrees that recent studies provide reason for concern and is looking into other options for food and beverage containers.

BPA-Free

Jazzercise Founder and CEO Judi Sheppard Missett tells us that there are many new BPA-free containers on the market, including many types of water bottles.

Here are some ways to tell if you are using or purchasing a BPA-free bottle:

Many plastics are now stamped “BPA-Free.”

Look for plastics with the recycling label numbers 1, 2 and 4, as they do not contain BPA. Avoid scratched or old plastic bottles.

Try glass or steel bottles. Unlined stainless steel bottles are also normally BPA-free. Use caution with metal water bottles as they are often lined with a coating that contains BPA.

Easily-found brands that promote BPA-free plastics include Nalgene, Kleen Kanteen and Thermos. Brita and Pur water filtering products are advertised as BPA-free. Numerous plastic food storage containers are now being produced without using BPA.

BPA-free baby bottles are also now readily available.

While you’re thinking about safe containers, here are a few other ways to avoid BPA and handle plastics in your home:

Save Safely
Store foods in glass, porcelain or stainless steel containers.

Microwave Minimally
Microwaving can release chemicals in plastics, studies show. Use glass vessels as often as possible.

Wash Wisely
If you have plastics in your home, wash them by hand only using gentle soap.

Choose water bottles and plastic storage containers safely to eat and drink in great health.

Judi Sheppard Missett, who turned her love of jazz dance into a worldwide dance exercise phenomenon, founded the Jazzercise dance fitness program in 1969. She has advanced the business opportunities of women and men in the fitness industry by growing the program into an international franchise business that today, hosts a network of 7,800 instructors teaching more than 32,000 classes weekly in 32 countries.

 The workout program, which offers a fusion of jazz dance, resistance training, Pilates, yoga, cardio box and Latin style movements, has positively affected millions of people worldwide. Benefits include increased cardiovascular endurance, strength, and flexibility, as well as an overall "feel good" factor.  Additional Jazzercise programs include Junior Jazzercise, Jazzercise Lite and Personal Touch.  For more information on Jazzercise go to jazzercise.com or call (800)FIT-IS-IT or (760)476-1750.

Courtesy of Jazzercise, Inc. - jazzercise.com