For what it's worth, I asked Grok which copper supplementation is best: Water Jug or Bisglycinate supplements?
According to Grok's answer, speculating that one gets the highest trace amount, which is around 0.5 mg/L, one would have to drink 4L/day to reach 2mg copper. This might be far from ideal. Who can soak 4L of water overnight? You need 4 Copper jugs? I don't even drink 4L a day...
I would not trust a copper water jug and instead aim for supplementation, which offers a stable dosage. I'm doing a supplement rotation over 4 days: copper, iron, zinc + Quercetine, and a multi-mineral.
GROK
Using a 100% copper water jug (storing water overnight, as in the Ayurvedic practice of tamra jal) can provide a small amount of absorbable copper through leaching of copper ions into the water. However, it typically delivers only trace amounts—often around 0.1–0.5 mg per liter (100–500 mcg/L), depending on water pH, temperature, storage time, and vessel quality. This is well below the adult recommended daily allowance (RDA) of 900 mcg (0.9 mg), so it offers a modest supplemental boost rather than a "good amount" to meet daily needs or correct deficiency.
Benefits and Evidence
Comparison to Supplements
Copper bisglycinate (a chelated form) is generally superior if you need a reliable, targeted dose:
For general wellness or the antimicrobial perk, a copper jug is safe and potentially helpful in moderation (1–2 glasses morning water stored overnight; avoid all-day use or acidic liquids). But for "healthy, absorbable, good amount" of copper—especially if aiming to supplement meaningfully—a bisglycinate supplement is better controlled and more effective. Consult a doctor for blood tests if concerned about copper status, as excess (from any source) can interfere with zinc or cause issues.
According to Grok's answer, speculating that one gets the highest trace amount, which is around 0.5 mg/L, one would have to drink 4L/day to reach 2mg copper. This might be far from ideal. Who can soak 4L of water overnight? You need 4 Copper jugs? I don't even drink 4L a day...
I would not trust a copper water jug and instead aim for supplementation, which offers a stable dosage. I'm doing a supplement rotation over 4 days: copper, iron, zinc + Quercetine, and a multi-mineral.
GROK
Using a 100% copper water jug (storing water overnight, as in the Ayurvedic practice of tamra jal) can provide a small amount of absorbable copper through leaching of copper ions into the water. However, it typically delivers only trace amounts—often around 0.1–0.5 mg per liter (100–500 mcg/L), depending on water pH, temperature, storage time, and vessel quality. This is well below the adult recommended daily allowance (RDA) of 900 mcg (0.9 mg), so it offers a modest supplemental boost rather than a "good amount" to meet daily needs or correct deficiency.
Benefits and Evidence
- Benefits: The main scientifically supported benefit is antimicrobial—copper kills bacteria like E. coli in stored water, acting as a natural purifier (backed by studies, including those aligned with ancient Ayurvedic use). Other claimed benefits (e.g., improved digestion, immunity, thyroid function, or iron absorption) lack strong clinical evidence and are mostly traditional or anecdotal.
- Absorption: Copper from water (as ions) has high bioavailability, often better than from some food sources, as it's in a soluble, ionic form easily absorbed in the gut.
- Over-leaching (e.g., from acidic water or prolonged storage) can exceed safe limits, potentially causing nausea, stomach upset, or (rarely) toxicity. The WHO suggests no more than 2 mg/L in drinking water to stay under the tolerable upper limit of 10 mg/day.
Comparison to Supplements
Copper bisglycinate (a chelated form) is generally superior if you need a reliable, targeted dose:
- It has excellent bioavailability (often higher than non-chelated forms like gluconate or sulfate, with better gut tolerance and absorption even alongside meals or inhibitors).
- Supplements allow precise dosing (e.g., 1–2 mg) to address low intake or deficiency, without variability or risk of excess from leaching.
- Most people get sufficient copper from diet (e.g., nuts, seeds, shellfish, whole grains, chocolate—average intake 1.1–1.4 mg/day), so neither may be necessary unless tested deficient.
For general wellness or the antimicrobial perk, a copper jug is safe and potentially helpful in moderation (1–2 glasses morning water stored overnight; avoid all-day use or acidic liquids). But for "healthy, absorbable, good amount" of copper—especially if aiming to supplement meaningfully—a bisglycinate supplement is better controlled and more effective. Consult a doctor for blood tests if concerned about copper status, as excess (from any source) can interfere with zinc or cause issues.
