The magic mineral - Copper

What is copper?

Copper is a natural element found in the earth’s crust. It is formed by high temperatures of volcanic magma and is most commonly found combined with other elements. However, it can also be found in pure form which can be highly beneficial for our health and wellness.

What does copper look like? 

It is orange red in colour with a bright metallic luster. As a soft metal, it is malleable and an excellent conductor of electricity and heat. 

When exposed to air, the copper surface will tarnish and gradually change to dark brown due to the natural oxidization process.

Can drinking water from a copper bottle cure copper deficiency?

Drinking water from a copper bottle can help to mitigate copper deficiencies – but it is not a cure.

If you are suffering from copper deficiency, please consult with your health practitioner for further advisory on additional changes and/or supplements needed to improve your health.

Is copper good for your skin?

Yes. Studies have shown that copper promotes the production of collagen and elastin in skin which is great for cell regeneration. Copper is also abundantly packed with anti-oxidants and promotes the production of glycosaminoglycans, e.g. hyaluronic acid, which has been proven to heal wounds faster and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

If I have no health issues, do I still need to drink copper water?

Prevention is better than cure. In today’s world, we are constantly exposed to air pollutants, bacteria and viruses. As a natural anti-bacteria, copper water is a fantastic way to boost our immunity naturally. So even if you do not have any health issues, we would advise to drink copper water and live a healthier lifestyle.

Copper-infused water

How does the copper mineral purify water?

Recent studies have shown that over 99.9% of E. coli microbes are killed when exposed to copper alloy for more than 5 hours.

 

Storing water in a copper vessel creates a natural purification process to kill micro-organisms, mould, fungi, algae and bacteria that are inherently present in water. 

How does copper water create natural alkaline water?

Copper is an essential trace mineral that is vital to human health. Storing water in a copper vessel is a great way to create natural alkaline water.

Our copper vessels are essentially natural alkaline which allows you to safely produce and consume natural alkaline water in a cost-efficient, convenient and sustainable manner. 

Myth or Fact: Drinking copper water is beneficial to our health

Fact! Anti-bacterial properties in the copper element has been firmly established and the healing method of drinking copper-infused water has been practiced for centuries. 

According to Ayurveda, water stored in a copper vessel can balance all the three doshas in your body (vata, kapha and pitta) by positively charging the water. This brings harmony between your physical, physiological and psychologic states of being.

Is copper water good for the kidneys?

Drinking natural alkaline water is an excellent way to support a healthy lifestyle. A glass of copper water at room temperature helps to flush the kidneys and the gastrointestinal tract. As such, copper is considered a good tonic for the liver, spleen and lymphatic system.

What type of water should I use to store in a copper vessel?

You can store any type of water in your copper vessel – tap water, bottled water or filtered water. You will notice the greatest difference with tap water which is generally the least alkaline and needs the most purification.

Note: Although tap water is suitable for instant consumption in more developed countries, we still highly recommend filtering the tap water prior to storing it in your copper vessel. This will help to remove any chlorine or chemical residues in the tap water.

How long should I store water in a copper vessel?

The general practice is to store water for 5 – 8 hours to allow the maximum beneficial impact of the purification process. As the copper positively charges the water to make it more alkaline, this will help to balance and maintain your body’s pH levels. 

Ayurveda advises to store the water in a copper vessel overnight and drink it first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach. This also helps to improve the metabolic process and proper functioning of all organs as you awake.

What does copper water taste like?

Copper water tastes fresh, clean and pure - contrary to the general assumption that it would taste metallic and unpleasant. 

When copper water tastes pleasant and clean, this is a strong indication that the vessel is made of the highest grade of pure copper with no mixed elements. 

Meraki Copper vessels are made of high quality pure copper to allow your drinking experience to be a refreshing one! 

You may detect a slight hint of copper if your tongue touches the bottle while drinking. If the taste is stronger, this indicates that there may be a slight copper build-up on the inside of the lid and the vessel needs to be washed more thoroughly. If this happens, follows these instructions to wash and care for your copper bottle safely.

What is the difference between drinking water from a copper bottle and a plastic bottle?

Copper bottles are environmentally friendly and sustainable compared to single-use plastic bottles. As a soft metal, copper is malleable and easy to recycle and use multiple times without losing its quality. 

Copper bottles also provide a myriad of health benefits due to the natural healing properties of the element. 

In the case of reusable plastic bottles, harmful micro-plastics seep out of the bottle and infuse into the water thus, causing multiple health issues such as diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, cancer, auto-immune disease and many others. The chemical released from plastic bottles disrupts the endocrine system (a network of glands which controls the release of hormones)to unnaturally mimic the effect of oestrogen in the human body.

What’s the difference between copper vessels (that store water) and at-home water filtration systems?

Today’s ‘at home’ water purifying systems vary in their sophistication and ability to purify water from the taps. You can get some excellent ones that get rid of the harmful bacteria, viruses and chlorine etc. and yet others that are limited.

However, a copper vessel is able to purify water as well as charge it with positive ions leading to various health benefits. 

Safe guide for drinking copper-infused water

Is drinking water from a copper bottle safe?

Studies have shown that the copper trace found in water that has been stored in a copper vessel is low and totally safe for consumption. 

To practice this traditional Ayurveda method safely and effectively:

-Follow the daily recommended doses

-Take a one month break of consuming copper water every three months

-Suggest to change your copper vessel every three months (not compulsory)

Note: As the saying goes, too much of anything is not a good thing so we urge you to be mindful and safe. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention warns that drinking water that contains higher-than-normal levels of copper could cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

Is there a risk of copper toxicity from drinking water stored in copper bottles?

No. Copper toxicity is only an issue if you ingest it in large quantities i.e. 1mg of copper per one liter of water. In all experiments conducted using copper water vessels, the copper content of the water contained is in low levels that are healthy and safe for consumption.

What is the daily recommended dose of copper per day?

The Copper World Association recommends the following daily dosage of copper:

Children (below 18 years old)

0.70 – 0.89mg 

Adults (19 years old and above)

0.90mg 

Pregnant women

1.00mg

Nursing mothers

1.30mg

Can we consume copper water throughout the day?

To ensure you consume only the recommended daily allowance of copper intake per day, we highly recommend drinking copper water twice a day – once in the morning and once in the evening. 

For best results, we recommend consuming 750ml (minimum) to 2L (maximum) of copper water daily.

What happens if we add lemon to our copper water vessels?

As lemons are highly concentrated in citric acid, this causes the copper vessel to corrode quickly and release more copper in the water. The natural chemical reaction occurring in the vessel could lead to harmful, excessive copper intake and ultimately, copper toxicity. 

Do not add lemon to copper water vessels. If you have mistakenly done so, please go to the nearest ER and check for copper toxicity.

Is it advisable to store copper bottles in the fridge?

Ideally, Ayurveda suggests drinking copper water at room temperature. However, due to growing demand in copper, there are some innovative copper vessels that are designed to control temperatures now available in the market. 

Note: Copper pots should not be stored in the fridge. 

How long can we store copper water?

After storing water in a copper vessel for 5 – 8 hours, it is ready for consumption. 

Once it is ready for consumption, you can keep the copper water for a maximum of 3 days wherein the copper’s natural anti-bacterial properties will preserve the freshness of the water and kill any bacteria, mould or fungi.

However, as the copper water is completely pure and natural - does not contain any chlorine, it will be affected by fungi and algae after 3 days.