Benefits Of Copper Water (How To Make And Drink Copper Water Safely!)

Have you heard of copper water?

Is it just the latest health fad? Are there really any benefits of copper water? Or is it toxic?

A quick internet search yields many results, some claiming that copper water is a miracle cure, others saying it's so harmful you should never take a sip!

Let's explore not only the benefits of copper water, but the risks too, and how to make and drink copper water safely. It's time to find balance between opposing internet claims. Grab a mug of your favorite hot beverage (chai hot cocoa, perhaps?) and settle in!

Ancient Cultures Utilized Copper

Ancient Egyptians used copper to sterilize their drinking water. Hippocrates recommended it for curing disease. The ancient Aztecs gargled with copper water to treat throat infections.

Ayurvedic medicine, an ancient practice in India and Asia, recommends using copper vessels to purify drinking water. It’s very common in India, where Ayurveda is practiced, to find copper pots in family homes for storing water.

Maybe The Ancients Were On To Something?

Modern research shows that copper water has some pretty impressive antibacterial properties. It appears to be effective in killing diarrhea-causing bacteria such as Shigella, E. coli, and Salmonella (source).

In fact, French physicians in the 19^th century noticed that copper workers did not fall victim to cholera while others around them did. And in 1939, German medical researchers noticed that copper workers weren’t affected by arthritis as long as they worked in the copper mines. (Source.)

Why Is Copper Beneficial?

Copper is an essential mineral for health. It helps organs function properly, metabolism, synthesizing and releasing life-sustaining proteins and enzymes, and stimulating the immune system (source). It’s also vital in the production and formation of collagen (source). Both an excess and a deficiency of copper can seriously affect brain function (source).

In addition, copper is an integral part of the enzyme copper-zinc superoxide dismutase. (source). This enzyme helps fight free radicals in the body (in other words, it's an antioxidant).

Copper is also essential for energy production, iron metabolism, central nervous system function, and regulation of gene expression (source).

Most interestingly, I learned that when a full-term baby is born the level of copper stored in the liver is 4 times the amount of an adult human’s! This copper is rapidly accumulated during the third trimester of pregnancy.

Human milk is relatively low in copper, so this stored copper in the newborn’s liver, along with breast milk, helps the baby’s body provide the copper needed for cellular respiration, growth of ligaments and connective tissue, iron metabolism, immune system function, gene expression, and heart function for the first few months of life.

Premature infants may not have enough stored copper in their livers, depending on how early they are delivered. (Source.)

Truly the human body is a wonder to behold!

It wasn’t easy finding the copper content of breast milk (as nutritional composition can vary greatly from mother to mother). Yet I did track down an Egyptian publication that shows 0.05 mg/100 g, or 50 mcg (source). Comparatively, 5 fluid ounces (or ~142 g) of an organic infant formula I found online has 90 mcg of copper.

Too Much Copper Is Bad For You

Copper excess, or toxicity, can have serious effects on the body, including…

• Stomach upset, nausea, and diarrhea
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Metallic taste in the mouth
• Jaundice
• Cirrhosis
• Tissue injury and disease

(Source.)

Additionally, chronic copper exposure can lead to liver and kidney damage (source).

There is also some speculation that excess accumulation of copper in the brain may be a causative factor in the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Other scientists say copper actually helps prevent AD. And, several reports that I read indicated that they are unsure if the copper is a cause or a result of the disease.

Clearly, there is not a consensus in the medical community on whether or not copper causes AD!

Too Little Copper Is Harmful, Too

Copper deficiency can also have unwanted effects, including…

• Osteoporosis
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Cardiovascular disease
• Neurological disorders, such as adult-onset progressive myeloneuropathy
• Severe blood disorders

(Source.)

There are also some genetic conditions that can affect copper levels in the body. Menke’s disease can cause low copper while Wilson’s disease can cause excess copper to accumulate (source and source).

What Are Safe Levels Of Copper, Then?

Instead of a Recommended Daily Allowance, copper has a Daily Reference Intake. The recommendations are as follows…

• Children aged 0 to 3 years: 0.4 to 1 mg per day
• Children aged 4 to 6 years: 1 to 1.5 mg per day
• Youth aged 7 to 10 years: 1 to 2 mg per day
• Adolescent males: 1.5 to 2.5 mg per day
• Adolescent females: 1.5 to 3 mg per day
• Adult males and females (19+ years): 0.9 mg

(Source and source.)

Food Sources Of Copper

Ideally, the nutrients our bodies require should come from food. However, with soils in America increasingly more depleted of nutrients, this may be hard to achieve.

Good sources of dietary copper include:

• Nuts, such as cashews, peanuts, and almonds
• Dried fruits
• Whole grains, particularly wheat and rye
• Beans and other legumes
• Dark, leafy greens
• Cocoa
• Black pepper
• Organ meat, such as kidney and liver
• Seafood such as oysters and other shellfish

In addition, there are nutrients that can work against the proper absorption of copper by the body.

For example, zinc and copper are antagonists – they compete against each other! Too much zinc can lead to a copper deficiency, while too much copper can lead to a zinc deficiency.

High amounts of vitamin C can also deplete copper levels.

Imbalances between copper and zinc can also be a factor in psychological disorders, such as anxiety and depression (source and source). Balance is so important!

Interestingly, some of the same foods recommended for copper also contain zinc. I love how God has created nourishing foods for us that contain the nutrients we need, in balance. Assuming, of course, they are grown in nutrient-rich soil. Man sure has away of messing up what God created sometimes, right?

How To Test For Copper

A protein called ceruloplasmin carries most of the copper in your blood. A Total Copper blood test should reveal your copper levels.

However, not all in the medical community agree on whether blood and urine tests are accurate when it comes to copper, since “inflammation, infection, disease, malignancy, pregnancy, and other biological stressors” can all affect copper status (source).

So, liver biopsy seems to be the most accurate test. That is more invasive, obviously!

You can also test your drinking water for copper. Simply contact your state's EPA office to find a laboratory to test your water (source).

Whether or not you're concerned about copper, consider getting your water tested anyway! You might be surprised what's in there. 🙂 Check out this post for more information on unregulated contaminants of drinking water, and how to filter them out effectively.

(Source.)

What's The Deal With Copper Water?

If you think you might be copper deficient, then maybe you'd like to look into copper water… Let's explore the claims, possible benefits, and general how-to.

First, What Is Copper Water?

Copper water is simply water stored in a copper vessel for a period of time. After that time has elapsed, the water is poured into another container — preferably glass — and stored, ready to be consumed. I dive into the specifics of how to make copper water, below!

Purported Benefits Of Copper Water

Unfortunately, quite a few posts on the internet claim some amazing things about copper water… without citing source studies of any kind. Here are some of the purported benefits of copper water:

• Improved digestion
• Improved thyroid function
• Fights inflammation
• Improve skin
• Fights cancer
• Weight loss

While it is certainly possible that drinking copper water could produce results in these areas, there is a glaring lack of scientific studies to prove these specific claims.

For better researched information pertaining to improving thyroid function, these articles could be of benefit to you.

• 5 Supplements To Consider Taking This Year
• Top 5 Supplements For Hashimoto’s
• 7 Foods That Nourish Your Thyroid
• 7 Foods That Are Making Your Thyroid Sick
• Why & How To Use MCTs {reduce belly fat & improve thyroid function!}
• Top 5 Herbs For Thyroid Support
• Do Fermented Cruciferous Vegetables Like Sauerkraut Hurt The Thyroid? #AskWardee 06

With that said, copper has at least one proven benefit: it is antibacterial.

I was recently so busy for 3 weeks that my copper water  in its glass jar just sat there, untouched. I figured the water would be stale and taste awful.

Yet I decided to drink some anyway, to see… Shockingly, it was as fresh-tasting as if I'd just made it! And it didn't taste like pennies, either — only pure, fresh water.

Naturally Alkaline Water

Many health advocates recommend alkaline water to combat excessive acidity in the body. With the Standard American Diet so prevalent nowadays, many Americans are likely living with a pH that is much to acidic (low).

However, like artificial foods, artificial alkaline water – produced by alkaline water machines that use titanium and platinum to ionize the water – isn't really healthy!

Artificial alkaline water is very similar to “empty food” that is high in calories but lacks the essential minerals that your body needs to flourish. In fact, a study published by the World Health Organization cautions against drinking water with low mineral content. When artificial alkaline water is consumed, its high pH level essentially “tricks” the body into thinking that it is receiving water that contains a significant amount of dissolved minerals. This “trick” can cause the body to release mineral reserves into the blood and kidneys, thereby ultimately making the body deficient in minerals as a result. In addition, the powders provided along with alkaline water machines are not pure and may also have negative healthy consequences. Beyond these health concerns, alkaline water machines can also be expensive to purchase and operate. (Source.)

Natural is almost always better, right? The good news is that a copper water vessel will create natural alkaline water to promote a balanced pH in the body.

How Much Copper Is In Copper Water?

This is a very important question! As you recall, too much copper is definitely not good for us. Too little copper is also not good. So, safe supplementation (if necessary), is key.

According to this study, copper water contains only 0.016 mg of copper per liter of water, if the water is left in a copper vessel for 16 hours. This is 1/20th of the World Health Organization upper limit of safe copper levels in drinking water.

The longer water is stored in a copper vessel, the more copper will leach into the water. High levels of copper in the water will result in very bitter, unpleasant water and could (should you actually want to drink bitter, unpleasant-tasting water) cause stomach irritation, nausea, or vomiting.

How To Buy A Quality Copper Vessel For Making Copper Water

There are many copper vessels available for making copper water such as pots, pitchers, cups, and water bottles with lids.

I have a beautiful hammered-copper water bottle that I purchased from an online company. I appreciate that they donate part of their profits toward providing clean water to developing countries.

As I searched for a quality product, I quickly noticed that many of the copper water bottles offered on Amazon had way too many bad reviews – bottles arriving dirty, smelling of chemicals, “pure” bottles ended up with the copper flaking off. Some even coated inside with a toxic lacquer!

I recommend not purchasing through Amazon unless you do some very thorough research on the company selling them first. You want 100% pure copper vessels, not plated or some kind of alloy.

How To Make & Drink Copper Water Safely

First, fill your copper vessel with water. I prefer filtered water from my Berkey. Put the lid on your copper vessel, and let it sit for 6 to 8 hours or up to 16 hours. I find that the water tastes best to me at around 8 hours.

Then, pour the water into a glass jar for later consumption.

Room temperature or slightly warm water will speed up the alkalizing process. I've read not to store it in the refrigerator but I'm not sure why and could not locate the source again.

That's it! Now that you see how easy it is, are you considering whether or not to add copper water to your healthy lifestyle routine? Consider these few guidelines…

#1 — Don't Rely Solely On Copper Water

Copper water is refreshing and delicious — in fact, you may want to drink it all the time! Yet drinking only copper water, especially if you already consume plenty of copper-rich foods or take a vitamin supplement, could potentially lead to excess copper or copper toxicity. More is not necessarily better.

While the amount of copper in copper water is not huge, if you’re drinking a gallon a day it’s possible to consume too much copper. This is particularly true if you are eating a diet with plenty of foods rich in copper.

#2 — Drink 2 Small Glasses A Day

Ayurvedic medicine recommends drinking a glass upon waking. Copper water is supposed to be “very useful in stimulating your bowel movements in the morning. This practice will keep your digestive system very healthy and set your metabolism for the rest of the day. You will feel very refreshed and light every day (source).”

It is also recommended to drink a glass before bed. Doing so is supposed to ensure you obtain adequate amounts of copper.

#3 — Take A Break Periodically

According to this Ayurvedic source, consume copper water for 3 months, then take a break for 1 month before resuming regular copper water consumption again. This will allow your body to eliminate any possible excess copper from your system.

#4 — Support Your Liver

Since the liver is integral in handling copper in the body, make sure to eat (and drink) nourishing, liver-supporting foods and beverages. This will help your liver do its job of flushing out toxins and excess minerals. This lovely (and easy) soup will help support your body's natural detoxification process!

#5 — Listen To Your Body

If you don't feel like drinking copper water, don't! It may be that you have plenty already and don't need any more.

I learned quite some time ago to listen to my body when it's craving something — it may be crying out for some nutrient in particular. Yet it goes both ways! If your body tells you to avoid a certain food, it may be worth paying attention.

Also, keep in mind the symptoms of copper toxicity I mentioned earlier. If you start to experience any of them, stop drinking the copper water immediately. As always, be sure to consult with your trusted health care practitioner regarding any of your health concerns or needs.

#6 — Spice It Up!

If desired, infuse your copper water with lemon or other fruits. Simply add them to the copper water AFTER it is no longer in the copper vessel.

How To Care For Your Copper Vessel

Here are some guidelines for keeping your copper vessel in shipshape!

To remove the patina… When my copper water bottle arrived, it was beautiful, shiny copper! It has since developed a lovely patina, which is natural. Should I want a shiny bottle again, I will easily remove the patina with a bit of salt and half a lemon. Simply sprinkle salt on the lemon half, allow it to dissolve, then rub the lemon half over the copper to remove the patina. Patina inside the vessel is not a concern but you can remove it the same way, if desired.

To clean periodically… Every so often, clean the inside of your vessel with warm water, a drop of dish soap, and a thorough rinse. That's all that's needed!

Never put your copper vessel in the dishwasher.

Never put anything but water in your copper vessel. You can use city water, well water, filtered water, even bottled water, but anything else – such as juice, tea, alcohol, or coffee – is too acidic. The purpose of the copper vessel is to create naturally alkaline water with a bit of added copper, not as a vehicle for your morning coffee or smoothie.

Never add essential oils to water when it’s in the copper vessel. Some essential oils are very acidic and can react with the copper. You should ALWAYS practice caution when ingesting essential oils, anyway. Read Is It Safe To Ingest Essential Oils {Medicinal And Culinary} for important information.

My Experience With Copper Water

My life is crazy, so I haven't been extremely consistent in consuming copper water. However, I did notice that my skin seems more smooth when I drink it daily for several days. I'm well over 40 and have those fun fine lines now. My initial thought was that the added copper helped with my body’s natural collagen production.

Since I also regularly consume baobab powder, which is high in vitamin C, it’s also possible that it may be affecting my copper levels. The extra amount of copper I am getting in the copper water may be needed by my body.

While I do strive for a healthy, whole-foods diet, I know I don’t eat enough of some of the copper-rich foods (such as dark leafy greens). So I personally feel like I’m safe drinking a small amount of copper water regularly.

I’ve not experienced any symptoms of excess copper or copper toxicity at all. I began using my copper water bottle the last week of July 2018. Some days I have a glass in the morning and one before bed. Other days I forget.

Overall, I’m comfortable with consuming copper water at this point. I will be mindful of how I’m feeling and take breaks periodically. To be honest, I probably won’t consistently drink enough for copper toxicity to ever be a problem. But should I somehow start nailing the consistent practice of drinking copper water I will be sure to follow the Ayurvedic recommendation of taking a break every 3 months.

The Takeaway On Copper Water

In case this post was too long for you to read, here's my research in a nutshell!

Copper is an essential mineral for important body processes and organs. It is also vital that copper levels are in balance with other minerals – too much or too little can result in unwanted health issues. Ideally, you should get enough copper in your food if you are eating a variety of real, whole foods. However certain nutrients like zinc or Vitamin C can cause copper depletion.

Next, there are conflicting opinions on the necessity and safety of copper water. Before consuming copper water, do your research, consult with a knowledgeable healthcare professional, and consider testing your copper status or at least your drinking water.

Continue to practice good nutritional habits that support your body's natural detoxification functions. Always be aware of how you are feeling and if any symptoms of copper toxicity appear, stop drinking copper water immediately and seek care.

Finally, avoid cheaply made or not 100% pure copper vessels. Take good care of your copper vessel by proper use and cleaning.

Have you ever tried copper water? Did you know how to make and drink copper water safely?