Before you reach for your next bottle of water, take a look at the label first. These 12 brands of bottled water are full of toxic fluoride, and you should avoid them at all costs.
You might have heard of recent fluoride controversies and whether it is really safe. Dentists promote it as a way to “keep our teeth strong” even though it has been found to cause dental fluorosis (defect of tooth enamel caused by fluoride’s interference with developing teeth). I mean, if your toothpaste was safe for you, there wouldn’t be blatant warnings on the outside of each tube of toothpaste telling you to not swallow.
Fluoride added to most drinking water supplies is not the naturally occurring type, which so many people fail to realize. The fluoride added to drinking water is fluorosilicic acid, which is a waste product of the phosphate fertilizer industry. It is more toxic than rat poison in its powdered form, and is heavily contaminated with toxins and heavy metals like arsenic, lead, cadmium, and other radioactive materials.
Fluoride, in fact, can cause an array of serious health issues, and over 97% of the world has stopped adding it to their drinking water. Why, then, has America continued to add this chemical to its water system?
Health Effects of Fluoride
The most common response to the above question is that “fluoride is necessary to prevent tooth decay.” However, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is no real difference between the amount of tooth decay in countries who do and who do not add fluoride to their water.
Tooth decay is dependent on how well you take care of your teeth (flossing and brushing regularly), and what foods you eat. It is not dependent on whether you are drinking fluoride in your water.
A variety of studies have revealed the negative side effects caused by fluoride. Despite this, 74.4% of all drinking water in the United States still contains fluoride.
The health effects of fluoride are numerous. They include:
– Endocrine disruption (thyroid disorders)
– Disrupted synthesis of collagen
– Muscle disorders
– Dementia
– Arthritis
– Increased lead absorption
– Hyperactivity and/or lethargy- Bone fractures
– Bone cancer (osteosarcoma)
– Increased tumour and cancer rate
– Disrupted immune system
– Genetic damage and cell death
– Damaged sperm and increased infertility
– Inactivation of 62 enzymes and inhibition of over 100 others
– Inhibited formation of antibodies
A study published in the Journal of Epidemiological & Community Health found that those who consume fluoridated water are more likely to suffer from thyroid issues, which often result in depression and obesity.
Health Effects of Drinking Bottled Water
Not only should you worry about fluoride, but when drinking from any kind of plastic bottle, you need to be extremely cautious. If the plastic bottles you’re drinking from aren’t BPA-free, then you may be setting yourself up for some serious health risks. These include learning and behavioural problems, altered immune system function, decreased sperm count, prostate cancer, breast cancer, diabetes, obesity and early puberty in girls (as well as fertility problems).
Plastic bottles are also horrible for the environment, with over 67 million of them being thrown away every year. It takes 450-1000 years for plastic to start biodegrading, and with the amount of plastic being thrown away and reproduced each year, that’s a lot of excess plastic we’ve got on our hands.
Try to avoid these water bottle brands at any cost:
1. Arrowhead
2. Crystal Rock
3. Belmont Springs
4. Deer Park
5. Ice Mountain
6. Diamond Springs
7. Ozark
8. Crystal Springs
9. Mount Olympus
10. Zephyrhills
11. Poland Spring
12. Sierra Springs
Fluoride-Free Water Bottle Companies
If you are looking to drink fluoride-free water, invest in a water filtration system (either whole-home or portable) that can filter it out. Filling up re-usable stainless-steel water bottles or re-using glass bottles is the best way to go, for both your health, and the environment.
Berkey water filters are great, and contain filters that take out not only fluoride, but chlorine and other compounds you otherwise wouldn’t want. I bought one last year and the quality and taste of the water that comes out is incomparable to anything I’ve ever had before.
If you have a refrigerator that can dispense water, you have the option of installing a Da2900020b filter (or other compatible filter). This will give you clean, fluoride-free drinking water at the push of a button. Another added perk is that you will be drastically reducing the amount of plastic waste your home consumes too.
If you must purchase bottled water, check out the fluoride-safe water bottle companies below. For a complete list, click here.
– Arbor Springs
– Aquafina Water
– Aqua Pure
– Black Berry Farms
– Blue Ice Natural Mineral Water
– Cascade
– Century Springs
– Clear Mountain Spring Water
– Crystal Spring Natural Spring Water
– Dannon
– Deja Blue
– Eureka
– Evian
– Flowing Springs
– Fresh Market
– Glacier Bay
– Hidden Valley Natural Mineral Water
– Mountain Valley Spring Water
– Oasis Pure Drinking Water
– Polaris Water
– Smart Water
– Whole Foods 365
Meylyn says
Good morning, I drink SE Grocers Spring Water, but lately I fell that it has a bitter taste, i am also coughing a lot. I think that this water it is not good. How do you like it?
It is sold in Win Dixie and Fresco y mas
Meylyn says
Not fell…feel.
Jewels says
Hi, came across your article while researching why companies are now promoting “purified” water that has minerals added back in for flavor.
Each mineral as a stand alone is generally good, but when you start mixing the compounds, they become something else that id rather not have in my water.
Any thoughts on this? I’m tired of our food supply being messed with
Carly Fraser says
I’d probably avoid water where they “remineralize” it. Go for spring water – it’s your best bet.
Mark says
Thank you, Karen.
Carly Fraser says
Hey Meylyn, I have never tried that water. If you feel it has a poor taste, perhaps source out a different spring water? Make sure the plastic jug isn’t made with number 7 plastic or other plastics that leech and could make the water taste odd.
Bobbie says
Does Clover Valley ( Dollar General ) contain flouride?
Carly Fraser says
Sorry, but I’m not sure – best to contact the company!
kimchi chi says
This is a helpful list. Thank you.
Jo says
Thank you for your list. Those of us in the desert need some form of bottles water. Do you have any suggestions getting information on Primo brand? Thanks again!
Carly Fraser says
I think there are ways of getting water if you’re in a desert – do you use any form of rain catchment system? I would highly suggest staying away from plastic bottled water.
Jewels says
I’m sorry love, I couldn’t help but giggle a little at your response. I lived in the Mojave desert for 32 years. And your suggestion was a “rain” catchment system. … in the desert. Lol. I don’t remember a lot of rain in the desert. The water rights to the Indian Wells valley was bought by LA, and if not for the naval weapons center, there probably would not be anyone living out there. But I guarantee you that there’s not enough rain at any given time to catch and drink.
Carly Fraser says
Haha – I know of one person who lives in the desert and they have their own rain catchment system. It’s a big set up though.
Q:?). says
I have drunk water from the same bottle for the last several months. I have done this for years. I refill it with cool water that has passed through the water heater – just fill it before the recently heated water arrives (fill it with water this side of the water heater that has sat in the pipes long enough to cool off), and then I microwave it. 99%+ of the microwaves go into the water leaving less than 1% to go into the plastic. I am 70 years old going on 35 (in terms of how I look). However, I may be wrong – maybe it is just me.
Jewels says
Probably shouldn’t irradiate the water to heat it.
Maria says
Smart Water has heavy metals, why it is in the list for good water?
It seems everyone should try to read much more researches before making any decision.
Carly Fraser says
It was on the list for fluoride-free water. It doesn’t go into detail about other things the water might have in it. Spring water will always be best.
Sage says
I came from a different state than where I live now. I have been here for 4 years, in the desert. Temps over 110 degrees in Summer often, so drinking water is more than necessary. Bathing here gives me skin issues in sensitive girl areas. I have rinsed those areas in the bottled water, which seemed to help. But some waters I buy are on your bad list. I can only buy what they have in the stores. Prices on water are scary…I’m 60ish years old and never had so much pain in most of my joints. Have been type 1 diabetic since a small child. I have other health issues as well, won’t list them. But I live with someone my age who also has Fibromyalgia, similar pain issues. But here, they refuse to offer ANY pain relief. Probley the plastic bottles water is sold in have added to our pains, but their is no relief. Because of some of my prescription meds, I cannot take over the counter pain remedies. Warm weather has made many of pains worse, not better. I used to be told warmer climate helped things like arthritis, so NOT TRUE in my experience!
I feel like we live in hell for many reasons, but can’t afford to move, maybe some day. There are just too many places here where ppl look to MT a person’s bank account in crooked ways. Then they hide behind religion to try to make themselves look ‘honest’. I don’t believe religion makes a person honest. Behavior makes a person honest. So, I know I’m complaining, but agree our water choices have made many things worse since reading this article. I can’t change the past, but will alter water for the future if I can. Life is difficult enough without drinking more problems in our water!
Thank You for the Great Information, maybe we can all get some relief of a few things with less tainted water…I HOPE anyhow!!
Carly Fraser says
Hope you find some relief – it might not just be the water. I’d look into your diet and mindset as well for sure. Many blessings.