Historically, Copper was the first element known to man. The Chalcolithic era or copper age saw man progress from using stones as weapons to replacing them with copper.

Ancient societies like Ancient Egypt, Rome, Greece, Somalia, Incas, Aztecs and Indians used copper in various forms, from currency for trade to household products. Ayurvedic texts mention the use of copper vessels for drinking water.

Copper is the only metal with anti-bacterial properties, which were proven to be true even during the 1800s when copper mine workers were immune to cholera.

Over the centuries copper has been used in various forms to treat various illnesses including cuts, headaches, even varicose veins. The rise of ayurvedic usage and indigenous medicines has seen a rise in the use of copper products in household items, especially copper vessels, and cups.

Benefits of drinking water with copper

Copper releases some of its ions in the water, through a process called the Oligodynamic effect. Copper is known to have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic and antioxidant properties. It assists in the formation of hemoglobin as well as cell regeneration and unfortunately, the human body cannot create the trace amounts of copper it requires to function healthily, therefore, copper has to be a part of our intake through our water,

1) Fights off Cancer:

Copper is a known antioxidant, which means it fights off all the free radicals and negates their negative effects. Free radicals and their harmful effects have been major causes of cancer in the human body. Copper also helps in the production of Melanin which gives color to one's skin and eyes, as well as protects one from the harmful UV rays of the sun.

2) Balances Hypertension:

According to the American Cancer Society, copper is known to reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels. If the copper deficiency has set in since childhood, it leads to the development of hypotension however, if adults suffer from copper deficiency, they develop hypertension. Therefore, trace amounts of copper are critical for the regulation of blood pressure in a person.

3) Aids the Functioning of the Thyroid Gland:

According to the experts, the most common feature among thyroid patients is copper. Copper balances the inconsistencies of the thyroid gland, that is it energizes the thyroid gland to function well, but it also fights off the damaging effects of too much secretion from the thyroid gland. While lack of copper leads to thyroid gland malfunction, it is also true that too much copper also makes thyroid gland dysfunction causing hyper or hypothyroidism among patients.

4) Prevents anemia:

Copper assists in the breakdown of food to make hemoglobin, it helps the body in absorbing iron, the deficiency of which causes anemia. Copper deficiency in the human body can lead to rare hematological disorders which also results in low white blood cells.

5) Cures Arthritis and Inflamed Joints:

Copper has anti-inflammatory properties which provide great relief to patients suffering from arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, copper has bone-strengthening properties, which makes it a perfect cure for arthritis.

6) Negates Infection:

Copper a natural antibiotic, water stored in copper bottles for more than 8 hours is free of all such microbial. Copper is effective against E.coli, S. aureus and Cholera Bacillus among other common waterborne disease-causing agents.

7) Assists in Digestion:

Ancient Roman texts talk about prescribing copper-based medicine to kill off germs in the stomach. Ayurveda claims that "drinking copper water" detoxifies and cleanses the stomach. Copper also has properties that stimulate peristalsis (rhythmic expansion and contraction of the stomach lining), reduce the inflammation of the stomach lining, and assist in better digestion. Copper is an excellent remedy for stomach ulcers, indigestion, and stomach infections.

8) Helps Cardiovascular System:

Copper helps clean plaque as well as dilate the blood vessels to increase the blood flow to the heart. Studies have proven that copper deficiency can result in the dysfunction of the heart muscles, leading to insufficient pumping of the blood, impaired circulation of blood in the body and the inability to respond correctly to stress.

9) Controls Aging:

Ancient Egyptians used a lot of copper-based beautifying agents. Several skincare products these days are copper based because copper is not only an antioxidant, it also assists cell regeneration, negating the harmful effects of free agents on the skin and helps to fight off wrinkles and fine lines that come with age.

10) Increases Brain Efficiency:

The human brain interacts with the rest of the body through electrical impulses. Copper helps the cells in communicating with each other by carrying out these impulses, making the brain work much more efficiently.

11) Prevents stroke:

Copper also has anti-convulsive properties which means copper is an effective means to prevent seizures. Copper also has antioxidant properties, meaning that a lack of copper would enable oxidants to work faster and better, increasing the risk of a stroke.

12) Weight Loss:

Copper plays an instrumental role in dissolving the excess fat deposits in the human body and helps reduce weight. Copper keeps the body in a fat-burning situation even when the individual is resting, however, this does not mean that too much copper will burn more fat; too much copper could end up poisoning the human body.

13) Aids in Healing Wounds Faster:

Copper exhibits anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral properties. In addition, copper also assists skin regeneration and strengthens the immune system, helping the body in healing wounds faster.

Interesting facts about copper in the body

A lack of sufficient copper can lead to premature births

Copper deficiency is associated with chronic diarrhea

Although too much copper can cause some negative symptoms, it is not fully established what level of copper is considered toxic amounts

Some institutes recommend a maximum of 10,000 mcg per day

Copper is a part of more than 30 enzymes produced and used by the human body!

Did you know? Even if you consume enough copper, too much zinc in your diet can lead to a copper deficiency. Zinc and copper fight to get absorbed in the stomach but zinc wins more often, resulting in less copper getting into your system