In spring and summer, the climate is dry, and it is necessary to increase the amount of water intake. But many people only focus on the amount of water they drink, and ignore the importance of drinking containers. People like to use cups made of different materials, such as glass, ceramic, stainless steel, etc. The advantages and disadvantages of the cup vary depending on the material.
Which cup is better for drinking?
glass
Out of all types of cups, glasses are relatively safe. Glass cups are usually made of inorganic silicates fired at a high temperature of more than 600 degrees, and due to their relatively stable chemical composition, no harmful substances will be produced in the production process. The glass surface is smooth and easy to clean, and bacteria and dirt do not easily grow on the cup wall.
It should be noted that when the glass is used for the first time, do not pour hot water directly to avoid bursting due to overheating. The correct way to do this is to pour in a small amount of hot water first, shake gently to preheat the cup, and then pour in hot water for use.
Plastic water bottles
Regarding the concerns about plastic water bottles, many people are worried that they may cause cancer. However, as long as you pick out the brands that meet the national quality inspection standards, these products are basically safe and you can use them with peace of mind.
Usually, the bottom of the plastic cup will be printed with numbers from 1 to 7, these numbers indicate different materials, the higher the number, the better the quality is usually. The most common are No. 5 PP (polypropylene) and No. 7 PC (polycarbonate).
The No. 5 PP cup has good heat resistance, a melting point of 167°C, and is chemically stable, making it the only plastic material that is safe to put in the microwave. In contrast, cup No. 7 PC should not be filled with hot water and should not be exposed to direct sunlight, as the high temperature may cause the material to release harmful bisphenol A.
In addition, despite the smooth surface of plastic cups, there are actually many tiny pores on the inside, which are prone to dirt accumulation, and plastic cups are more susceptible to attracting dust and bacteria.
Ceramic mugs
Ceramic cups, with their beautiful shapes and rich patterns, are deeply loved by young people, and almost everyone has more than one. Ceramic cups can be broadly divided into three categories:
1. Ceramic cups with no color glaze and colorless inner wall
The main raw material of this type of cup is clay, and after being fired at high temperatures, a layer of glaze will form on the surface of the clay. Usually this glaze does not contain harmful substances and is suitable for hot water or tea.
2. Underglaze colored ceramic cups
This kind of cup is colored before firing, and then fired at high temperature, the color substance is located under the glaze, even if it is brewed with hot water, it will not release harmful substances, and it is relatively healthier and more environmentally friendly.
3. Ceramic cups with glaze color
In the production process, pigments are applied directly to the glaze and then baked and dried. Unfortunately, during use, these pigments have the potential to release harmful substances that pose a health threat. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid such cups.
For friends who love tea culture, purple sand ware is the best choice. The purple sand cup is not glazed inside and outside, and the tiny pores are retained, which not only improves its air permeability, but also enhances the adsorption capacity and effectively maintains the aroma of the tea. For daily tea drinkers, it is wise to choose purple clay cups.
Enamel cups
The enamel cup, which is based on metal and coated with porcelain glaze on the surface, this design not only prevents the corrosion of the metal inside, but is not as fragile as ordinary porcelain, and combines the advantages of metal and ceramic.
However, in recent years, the use of enamel cups has gradually decreased, mainly because the enamel on its surface is made of a mixture of sodium silicate and metal salts, which may contain harmful metal elements such as lead and cadmium. These elements may leach out in acidic environments or under heated conditions, causing health effects on humans.
In addition, the enamel cup is prone to porcelain loss, once the metal substrate is exposed, it is easy to rust, and continued use is also not conducive to health.
Tips: Avoid using enamel products to contain acidic substances, and for enamel products that have been damaged, they should not be used to hold food or drinking water.
Stainless steel cups
Stainless steel cups are corrosion-resistant, wear-resistant and unbreakable, and are often used as thermos cups and have become the first choice for modern cups.
Since it is an alloy product, it may contain more heavy metal substances. If used incorrectly, these substances are prone to leaching or chemical reactions, which may produce harmful substances.
When using stainless steel cups, please be careful not to use it to load acidic drinks, such as juice, coffee, carbonated drinks, etc., and should not hold soy sauce, vinegar, vegetable soup, tea, etc. for a long time, so as not to corrode metal substances, toxic substances seep into food and drinks, and endanger health.
When cleaning stainless steel cups, do not use strong alkaline or oxidizing chemical cleaners, such as soda, bleaching powder, etc.
When buying stainless steel utensils, it is advisable to choose a large supermarket with a good reputation and check whether there are relevant safety signs on the packaging of the goods.
Disposable cups
Disposable cups are available in both paper and soft plastic. At present, the most commonly used is the paper-plastic cup, which is composed of an outer layer of paper and an inner layer of coated paper, the latter is an inner polyethylene plastic film with relatively high safety.
Plastic cups used in bubble tea shops and coffee shops are usually made of PET, and as long as they are not heated at high temperatures, harmful substances generally do not leak out, so they can be used with peace of mind. When buying disposable cups, be sure to choose a safe product with the SC logo.
Source: Health Talk