The Health Benfits of Drinking from Copper

You may have questions about the copper cup trend–are they beneficial? Are they dangerous? We’ve got everything you need to know about drinking from copper safely!

What is copper, and why do we need it?

According to Medical News Today, copper is an essential trace mineral for making red blood cells and for maintaining nerve cells and the immune system. It also helps the body form collagen, absorb iron, and turn sugar into energy. The liver, brain, heart, kidneys, and skeletal muscles are where you will find most of the copper in your body. 

When there isn’t enough copper in your body (which is fairly rare), you may experience anemia, low blood pressure, easily broken bones or bone loss, low white blood cell count, and thyroid problems. 

Many foods have copper in them, so to meet your daily needs, make sure to have plenty in your diet. These include

• Seafood (oysters, lobster, squid, mussels, clams)
• Organ meats (cow liver, kidneys, or heart)
• Nuts (cashews, filberts, almonds, pistachios, pecans, macadamia nuts, peanuts)
• Beans (lentils, soybeans, navy beans)
• Unsweet or semisweet chocolate or cocoa
• Enriched cereal
• Fruits and veggies
• Blackstrap molasses
• Black pepper

Too much copper in your body can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, headache, dizziness, weakness, diarrhea, and even rare but life-threatening conditions like heart or kidney failure. 

Wellwater, pregnancy, birth control pills, inflammation, infections, stress, and Wilson’s Disease can all cause increased copper levels in the body, so avoid copper supplements.

What are some health benefits of copper?

Copper Kills Bacteria

In ancient times, people found that water stored in copper vessels stayed fresh longer and tasted better. Scientists then discovered that copper could kill bacteria—including e.coli and s.aureus—viruses, algae, mold, spores, and fungi. 

Improves Digestion

According to Ayurveda, drinking water stored in copper vessels (such as a copper water bottle or a copper water cup) on an empty stomach detoxifies and cleanses your digestive system first thing in the morning. Copper helps stimulate the stomach muscles to move waste products through the intestines and out of the body.

Helps Circulation and Blood Pressure

Copper can improve circulation and get oxygen pumping by helping blood vessels dilate. When blood circulation is in flow, you are sure to feel a brighter burst of energy and a sharpened mind. 

Decreased Risk of Cancer

Copper’s antioxidants help neutralize the free radicals in the body, preventing them from causing damage to the body’s cells.

Promotes Healthy Hair and Skin

Enzymes use copper to make melanin, the pigment that creates our skin, hair, and eye colors. Copper also improves circulation at the hair follicle level, which promotes hair growth. 

Melanin also protects your skin from sun damage. And the body uses copper to make the substances collagen and elastin, which improve skin’s elasticity and helps prevent wrinkles. 

What are the adverse effects of drinking from copper?

While copper toxicity is generally uncommon, you could be at risk if you suffer from Wilson’s Disease, drink from corroded copper pipes, or cook acidic foods in copper pots. You should also avoid drinking any liquids other than water from a copper mug to prevent the acidity of your beverage from causing too much leaching.

So if you’re looking for a way to have your water and get some beneficial micronutrients simultaneously, try copper!