Why Drinking Charged Water from Copper is an Ancient Ayurvedic Ritual

The dietary copper intake for an adult is 1.5 to 3 mg per day (as per Food and Nutrition Board). Copper is element 29 in the Periodic Table of Elements with electronic configuration of 3d¹⁰4s¹. Metallic copper is naturally unstable and susceptible to corrosion and leaching. This makes it suitable for daily use, since it requires no extra effort.

What is “contact killing” in terms of copper use?

As early as 2600–2200 BC, ancient Egyptian medical texts recorded the use of copper in drinking water. A 1983 study later demonstrated that brass and bronze doorknobs could limit the spread of microbes in hospitals. In ancient India, copper coins were traditionally placed in rivers to purify the water. Today, the use of copper vessels to sanitize drinking water is once again being explored as a cost-effective solution for developing nations.

“Contact killing” is an antimicrobial process where microorganisms are destroyed upon direct contact with metallic copper. Dry copper surfaces are more effective at killing microbes than moist ones. Copper damages bacterial cells by rupturing their membranes and copper ions generate reactive oxygen species that further contribute to cell destruction.

Contact killing mainly occurs due to free copper ions released from the surface, but other factors also contribute.

So, why to take unnecessary antibiotics when you can try this safe alternative?

What are the benefits of using Copper stem?

Nabhi Sutra offers a convenient water purification solution:

• It is suitable for earthen pots, water bottles, and other small containers. Its flexibility allows you to use different bottles or utensils as needed.
• It is lightweight, easy to carry, and simple to clean regularly, unlike larger copper vessels that are harder to maintain.
• It can also be placed in RO tanks for additional purification. You can add 1-2 or even more copper stems if the tank is bigger in size.
• A smaller copper stem provides controlled copper release, delivering antibacterial benefits while keeping copper levels safe, particularly in water bottles
• Ordinary water becomes a true wellness elixir with the Copper Stem, combining the wisdom of Ayurveda with modern scientific validation.

Our Laboratory tests reveal that copper levels rise from 0.038 ppm to 0.481 ppm (0.038 or 0.481 mg/L) within 24 hours, naturally providing up to 100% of your daily requirement safely and effortlessly. As the concentration is well below the daily requirement, copper-infused water does not pose a risk of toxicity.

A study showed that 0.177 ppm of copper can effectively kill E. coli, the most common bacteria causing diarrhea, within 16 hours.

What are the side effects of copper charged water?

Excess copper in drinking water can cause acute gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances, and prolonged exposure may result in liver toxicity, especially among sensitive populations. This will not be incase of Copper stem as it releases the copper ions much lower of the permissible limit but, still it can be effective in working against the various harmful microorganisms present in the drinking water.

What are the factors which can elevate the Copper levels in drinking water?

The following factors can lead to elevated copper levels through leaching:

• Low water pH – Acidic water (low pH) reacts with copper surfaces, causing copper atoms to oxidize and dissolve as cupric ions (Cu²⁺). The more acidic the water, the higher the rate of copper leaching.
• High temperature can increase the rate of this reaction as copper atoms starts to oxidize faster at elevated temperatures.
• Reduced hardness – Soft water facilitates copper leaching because, unlike hard water, it does not form a protective layer of calcium or magnesium carbonate on the copper surface.

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK225402/

Grass G, Rensing C, Solioz M. Metallic copper as an antimicrobial surface. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2011 Mar;77(5):1541-7. doi: 10.1128/AEM.02766-10. Epub 2010 Dec 30. PMID: 21193661; PMCID: PMC3067274.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13201-021-01542-x