Copper water is gaining popularity as a health trend that encourages individuals to store their drinking water in copper containers or bottles. This practice, although recently recognized by many, has deep roots in Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of holistic medicine that advocates for natural remedies and wellness. Yet, you might still be questioning the actual benefits and safety of drinking water stored in copper, wondering whether it's genuinely beneficial or merely another passing fad.

This article aims to explore the claimed advantages and potential drawbacks of consuming copper water.

What is Copper Water?

Copper water is not a drink you will typically find on the shelves of your local supermarket or health food store. Instead, it is created by letting drinking water sit in a copper container, allowing the water to absorb the properties of this metal. Copper is classified as a trace element, meaning that only small quantities are required for optimal health.

This essential mineral plays a vital role in various bodily functions, including energy production, the formation of connective tissues, and facilitating the brain's chemical signaling system. You can find copper in numerous foods like shellfish, nuts, seeds, potatoes, whole grains, dark chocolate, and organ meats (internal organs). In countries like India, copper-rich foods are often incorporated into traditional diets, while in Canada and Australia, people increasingly recognize its importance.

Advocates of copper water suggest that storing water in copper vessels allows the metal to leach into the liquid, thereby imparting health benefits to those who consume it. However, it’s crucial to note that both copper deficiency and excess can pose health risks, though outright copper deficiency is quite rare. For instance, the typical Australian diet generally meets or surpasses the Daily Value (DV) for copper, which is recommended at approximately 0.9 mg per day.

In essence, copper water is simply water that has been infused with copper through storage in a copper vessel, yet the likelihood of experiencing copper deficiency is minimal, as most individuals can easily satisfy their daily copper requirements through a normal diet.

Alleged Benefits

Advocates of copper water assert that it offers a myriad of advantages, such as enhanced heart and brain vitality, a stronger immune system, and even potential benefits for weight management, anti-aging properties, and skin tanning. Nevertheless, it is improbable that copper water delivers these claimed health benefits in isolation.

Instead, these perceived effects likely stem from the essential roles copper plays within the human body, as it is crucial for energy metabolism, skin pigmentation, the development of cardiac and neurological tissues, immune function, and angiogenesis—the creation of new blood vessels.

Antibacterial Properties

Among the purported advantages of copper, its antibacterial properties are notably supported by scientific research. Both historical and contemporary studies indicate that copper may serve as an effective method for purifying or sterilizing water, as endorsed by traditional Ayurveda practices. This is particularly significant for the approximately 1 billion individuals who lack access to potable water. Unsafe water sources can harbor large quantities of pathogens, including Vibrio cholerae, Shigella flexneri, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella typhimurium, which are responsible for diarrhea—one of the leading causes of mortality in developing nations. Fortunately, merely storing water in a copper (tamra) vessel may effectively eliminate these harmful microorganisms.

The phenomenon known as “contact killing” describes copper’s antibacterial action. Researchers postulate that the mineral's interaction with bacteria inflicts significant damage to their cell membranes, leading to their demise. However, studies concur that water should be kept in a copper container for several hours prior to consumption to guarantee the antibacterial action has been effective. Some research indicates that allowing water to sit overnight in a copper vessel can produce antibacterial effects, while other studies recommend waiting between 16 to 24 hours, or even up to 48 hours. This suggests that filling an expensive copper water bottle in the morning for hydration throughout the day may not significantly contribute to sterilization. Instead, storing water in copper pots or jars for an extended period may yield more beneficial results.

In summary, while storing water in copper containers appears to have inherent antibacterial capabilities to eradicate harmful bacteria, it is essential that the water remains in these vessels for several hours—potentially even days—for optimal effectiveness.

Possible Drawbacks

Prolonged exposure to elevated levels of copper may result in a condition known as copper toxicity, which manifests through symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, and diarrhea. In severe cases, it could potentially lead to significant issues like liver damage and kidney disorders. One common way to acquire copper toxicity is through the consumption of stagnant water that has passed through pipes made of copper, which can facilitate the leaching of considerable amounts of copper into the water.

The World Health Organization (WHO) advises that the copper content in water should not exceed 0.47 mg per cup (approximately 2 mg per liter). This recommendation is crucial to ensure that the tolerable upper intake level of 10 mg per day is not surpassed.

Regarding water stored in copper vessels, even when kept for durations of up to 16 hours, research indicates that the amount of copper that leaches into the water remains well below the safety thresholds established by WHO. Nevertheless, advocates of this practice recommend that individuals limit their intake of copper-infused water to 3 cups (710 mL) per day to mitigate any risks associated with copper overdose. While high copper consumption may pose the risk of toxicity over time, it is important to note that the levels of copper leached from water stored in copper containers are generally within safe limits.

The Bottom Line

Copper water is essentially water that has been kept in a copper vessel, enabling safe amounts of copper to leach into the liquid. This practice, while popular, is often surrounded by claims that lack substantial scientific validation. Nevertheless, it is acknowledged for its potential antibacterial properties, which may help eliminate harmful bacteria responsible for causing diarrhea in contaminated water.

Research indicates that for the copper leached into the water to effectively combat bacteria, the water needs to be stored in a copper container for a minimum of one night, ideally extending up to 48 hours. This insight suggests that copper pots or jars are more effective options compared to copper water bottles that are frequently refilled on the go.