Copper Mug: Have You Tried These Awesome Mugs? If Not, What are You Waiting For!?!? Here's My Review.

I bought this copper mug recently. I liked the way it looked. It is very pretty. The indentations around the outside catch the light in interesting and beautiful ways. There’s just something that seems really cool about drinking out of a copper mug, even if it’s just water.

I don’t drink cocktails (much, especially while nursing), but that’s the main purpose of this mug. Interesting! 

Anyway, I bought it to use as my water glass. I’m getting tired of drinking water and I need incentive to drink more. I don’t want to add sweeteners to my water, but I just don’t like the taste of the water in the bottles right now. I also don’t want to mess with fruit or stevia squirters. I thought I’d try the copper. I’ve heard good things about the taste of the water from copper mugs. Even though it is NOT dishwasher or microwave safe, since I’m just drinking water from it, I can give it a quick clean every day or two. If I were to drink something else from it, I’d hand wash and dry it immediately so it wouldn’t stain or anything. 

This mug is 16 ounces, so it’s a good size for a water glass. My goal is to drink 4 glasses a day (one with breakfast, one for lunch, one for dinner, one after dinner). The water tastes SO MUCH BETTER from the copper mug, especially if I remember to fill it before going to bed and let it sit overnight. YUM. 

The walls of the mug are pretty thick and it keeps the water cold for quite a while. I actually prefer room temperature water, but this water feels a bit cooler than water in a plastic cup/bottle. Other reviews say that the mug gets cold FAST and is perfect for cold drinks.

Copper is a great thermal conductor. Think about how many pots and pans are made of copper. This is because of how well they conduct heat. The same principles apply to these copper mugs. Conduction causes heat to travel through solids and insulation maintains warmth or coolness by lessening the heat transfer through conduction. Insulation can also assist in reducing heat loss by convection, the method heat uses to travel through gases and liquids. Metals, such as copper, are good conductors and usually feel cold to the touch white wood or plastic, which are considered to be good insulators, feel warm or semi-warm to the touch.

Copper is an excellent example of a mineral that is an efficient conductor of both heat and cold. When any heat application is made to the metal, it spreads over the surface rapidly. Cold has the same effect. When coldness is applied to a copper surface, it spreads swiftly. Both heat and cold retention last longer when using a copper mug, than when a cup of plastic or glass is used.

Copper easily loses electrons. Electricity is basically a stream of moving electrons. Think back to high school chemistry… remember the electron shell levels? The 1s 2s 2p… etc? The electron shell that is the farthest outward for copper is the 4s shell, and it is only half filled, so it readily gives up its electrons. In losing electrons, it becomes ionic. Electrically charged copper ions in the water are attracted to negative ions such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The new compounds created alter the cell walls of these organisms and inhibit nutrient uptake, killing the bacteria, viruses, and fungi. This is why copper is great for preventing coliforms such as E.coli in drinking water. 

There can be some health benefits from drinking water from a copper vessel. The copper does leach into the water. I’ve heard that it’s good for the digestive system as it helps with balancing bacteria and helping with peristalsis and also aiding acid reflux. Poor countries use copper as a cheap way to clean water since it kills those organisms.

According to the American Cancer Society, copper has been found to help regulate blood pressure, heart rate, and can lower the cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It can also help prevent the accumulation of plaque and has the documented effect of dilating blood vessels to allow better flow of blood to the heart. It is also an anti-inflammatory agent. 

Copper is also an antioxidant. It helps fight off free radicals. This can aid in preventing cancer as cancer can be caused by free radicals. 

Copper also helps fight anemia. It helps the body absorb iron. 

Health benefits aside, the water just tastes better. It’s crisper and has a better flavor. I am very happy with this mug and I will keep drinking water from it. I like how it looks. 

Do you remember your high school chemistry class?