Chocolate-scented bottle to help you drink more water!

STUDIES show carrying a reusable bottle with you can double or triple your water intake. But is it worth buying one with extra benefits?

WATERDROP LUCY SMART CAP SET

£93.90, en.waterdrop.com CLAIM: Made from borosilicate glass, this has a ‘smart’ bamboo lid that uses UV-C light to kill ‘99.9 per cent of bacteria’ in your water and reminds you to drink by flashing.

EXPERT VERDICT: ‘One reason some people avoid plastic water bottles is that they used to contain bisphenol A compounds (BPAs) which can leach into drinking water,’ says Clare Thornton-Wood, a dietitian based in Guildford.

‘Evidence suggests BPAs can mimic the effects of the hormone oestrogen and they have been linked to an increased risk of serious health problems, including certain cancers.

‘Today, most plastic bottles are BPA- free, but many consumers still want to avoid plastic partly because of fears that tiny plastic particles can get into our water.

‘Glass doesn’t contaminate water and it has the benefit of not absorbing smells and tastes, which is a common complaint about plastic water bottles — so water can taste better from a glass bottle which, in turn, may encourage people to drink more.

‘Borosilicate glass is denser, tougher and less likely to break than standard glass.

‘The UV-C lid function is a handy addition and easy-touse — you just press a button and ultra-violet light kills any bacteria present which can otherwise spoil the taste.

‘I like the way it sends reminders to drink more to your phone. But it is expensive.’

AIR UP CLASSIC

£29.99, uk.air-up.com CLAIM: A scented pod in the lid tricks your brain into thinking plain water in this is flavoured. Flavours include watermelon, pineapple and chocolate orange. EXPERT VERDICT: ‘Around 80 per cent of the tastes we experience are actually things we’re smelling,’ says Dr Lindsy Kass, a sports and nutrition scientist at Hertfordshire University.

‘And because you’re not adding sugar or artificial flavours, it’s healthier than many flavoured drinks and could potentially increase water consumption — especially for children.

‘But you have to keep buying new flavour pods, costing £6.99 for three — each one lasts only five litres. The bottle is BPA-free but it’s still plastic.’

SIP STAINLESS STEEL

£15.95, amazon.co.uk CLAIM: Keeps your water ‘ refreshingly cold for 24 hours’, says the maker.

EXPERT VERDICT: ‘Stainless steel bottles are the best when it comes to keeping water cool,’ says Lindsy Kass. ‘They are also lightweight, plus they don’t hold flavour and smells like plastic can, so your water tastes nicer, meaning you’re more likely to keep drinking it.

‘They’re easy to clean and don’t have the problem of bacteria or mould growing inside as plastic bottles often do because steel doesn’t have tiny cracks for bacteria to hide and multiply in.

‘For me a reasonably priced refillable steel bottle is the best solution to keeping hydrated — and kinder to the environment than plastic.’

K-MART MOTIVATIONAL MARKERS BOTTLE

£7.19, amazon.co.uk

CLAIM: This comes with markings on the side to help track daily water intake and promote hydration.

EXPERT VERDICT: ‘This could be useful to remind you to drink throughout the day,’ says Clare Thornton-Wood.

‘But the amount you need varies according to activity levels, temperature and how much you are consuming in food: fruit, vegetables, soups and stews contain a high proportion of water — most of us get 30 per cent of our water intake from them.

‘Be guided by the colour of your urine: “straw-coloured” is ideal.’

CAMELBAK EDDY+ WITH LIFESTRAW FILTER

£45, camelbak.co.uk

CLAIM: Contains a filter in the straw which ‘removes bacteria, parasites and microplastics, reduces lead and chlorine levels and improves overall taste’.

EXPERT VERDICT: ‘This bottle claims to filter out microplastics,’ says Clare ThorntonWood. ‘It’s made of Tritan, a recycled plastic that doesn’t contain known oestrogen-mimicking chemicals and so manufacturers claim is a safer plastic.

‘But the science is new — and this is expensive; filter replacements cost £15 a time.’