We all know that bottled water is the easy, convenient choice. Unfortunately, bottled water isn’t only more expensive: it’s worse for you and for the planet, too. Still not convinced? Here are four reasons why you should avoid bottled water and make the switch to tap water.
Reason 1: Bottled Water Doesn’t Contain Fluoride
One of the largest benefits of tap water is that, in many cities across the U.S., the water has fluoride added to it. Fluoride plays a major role in keeping your teeth strong and replacing important minerals that our teeth lose as a result of daily life. In fact, fluoride is so important for oral health that many dentists recommend that patients either brush with a fluoride toothpaste, take a fluoride supplement, or receive in-office fluoride treatments!
Luckily, you can get your fluoride fix the free way — just by drinking tap water! Click here to see if your city’s water contains fluoride.
Reason 2: Tap Water Doesn’t Taste Any Different Than Bottled Water
Many bottled water companies remove fluoride from their water because they claim that it alters the taste of the water and makes it taste worse. However, studies have shown that people can’t taste the difference. Strangely enough, a study conducted by ABC News found that Americans actually prefer the taste of tap water!
Reason 3: Bottled Water Produces Tons of Waste
We’re sure you’ve heard it by now — plastic water bottles are filling landfills at a rapid pace, where they will sit for 450 years before they start to decompose! While recycling water bottles is recommended, Americans are found to only recycle 23% of the plastic water bottles that they use.
Reason 4: Bottled Water Is More Expensive
Did you know that tap water costs less than a cent ($0.005) per gallon, while bottled water costs $9.47 per gallon? If an American were to drink solely bottled water to meet their recommended 8 glasses a day, they would spend $1,400 a year just on water! With tap water, a person would only spend $0.49 — yes, less than a dollar!