DiscoverBecause Why?! The Science and Society Pod.Is bottled water really better for you?
Is bottled water really better for you?

Is bottled water really better for you?

Update: 2025-08-31
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So, bottled water is kind of a scam. People think it’s healthier and safer, despite zero evidence to back that up. So… is it all just one giant marketing con? Well… kinda.

In this episode, I’m taking you through the wild history of bottled water to show exactly how we ended up here - and why it’s so, so, so ridiculous!

Quick note: I originally did the research and writing for this podcast in July 2024, so the stats I mention are current to that period.

In this episode I go through:

  • The surprisingly long history of bottled water (it’s been around way longer than you think)
  • What needed to happen to make bottled water a massive global hit
  • The weird correlation between bottled water sales and countries that already have safe tap water
  • A statistical breakdown of where people are actually buying bottled water
  • The shocking differences in testing requirements between bottled and tap water
  • How bottled water companies harm the countries they source from
  • Why microplastics could be way worse for our bodies than we realise
  • Why bottled water isn’t automatically safer than tap water
  • The facts about fluoride and chlorine in tap water
  • Why nitrates in water are a concern
  • The jaw-dropping amount of water it takes just to make one bottle of water


Thanks for joining me on this episode of Because Why?!

Mā te wā - see you next week.

You can get involved with the podcast online in the meantime, of course.

Find our full podcast via the website here: ⁠⁠https://www.nowthatwhatsicall.com⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/becausewhypod/

You can follow me on socials on the below accounts.

Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/⁠⁠

Tiktok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest⁠⁠

Linkedin: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/⁠⁠

For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: ⁠⁠https://incrediballs.com/⁠

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Is bottled water really better for you?

Is bottled water really better for you?

Brianne West