Chasing Life – "Are the Plastic Straws in Water Bottles Safe?"

Host: Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Podcasts
Date: October 14, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dr. Sanjay Gupta delves into a burning question on many listeners’ minds: Are the plastic straws in popular reusable water bottles, like Stanley Cups, safe for your health? Prompted by a listener concerned about the potential ingestion of microplastics, Dr. Gupta explores the science of plastics, their health implications, and practical steps for safer hydration. The episode also features an in-depth Q&A on hypertension in young adults, highlighting overlooked risks and the importance of early intervention.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Microplastics and Plastic Straws ([02:39])

• Listener Stephanie’s Question: Are plastic straws in water bottles causing us to ingest microplastics? Should she avoid using them or drink straight from the bottle?
  • Stephanie: "Don't the microplastics still get into your system from the straw?...I'd love to know the answer..." ([00:46])
• Dr. Gupta’s Response:
  • Microplastics stem from plastic items breaking down over time or with wear and tear.
  • These particles, and their associated chemical additives, can enter the human body through food, water, and air.

Health Concerns with Microplastics and Additives ([02:39]–[05:09])

• Microplastics have been detected in human arteries, including the carotid artery (supplies blood to the brain).
• Citing a study: Individuals with micro- or nanoplastics in carotid arteries were "twice as likely to have a stroke or a heart attack or die from any other cause... over the next three years" compared to those without ([03:23]).
• Plastics often contain chemical additives that can leach into food and drink, including BPA and its alternatives.

"Plastics are a double whammy. They're the actual particles, the microplastic particles, and then the chemical additives. And both of those can potentially be problematic."
— Dr. Sanjay Gupta ([03:56])

2. What Are Plastic Straws Made Of? Are They Safe? ([05:09])

• Most popular water bottles advertise their straws as "BPA-free and reusable," but manufacturers rarely disclose exact materials.
• BPA Overview:
  • BPA (Bisphenol A) is an endocrine disruptor: "It can alter how the hormone systems function in your body and can affect mammary gland development, cognitive function and metabolism."
    ([06:08])
  • Linked to fertility issues, pregnancy complications, cardiovascular disease, and more.
• Many companies now use BPS (Bisphenol S) instead of BPA.
  • According to Dr. Leonardo Trisandi, "BPS... is as estrogenic, toxic to embryos and persistent in the environment as BPA." ([06:40])
  • Being BPA-free doesn’t guarantee a product is free from other hazardous chemicals.

"Just because it doesn't have BPA doesn't mean it is necessarily safe from leaching other potentially toxic chemicals such as bisphenol S."
— Dr. Gupta, paraphrasing Dr. Trisandi ([06:30])

3. Reducing Plastic Exposure: Practical Advice ([07:30])

• Straws are not the main source of dietary plastic exposure—food packaging contributes more.
• To limit plastic-related health risks:
  • Choose alternative straws: Stainless steel or glass are recommended.
  • Don’t microwave food in plastic containers.
  • Don’t wash plastic items in the dishwasher.
  • Discard damaged or worn plastics (e.g., old cutting boards, containers with scratches).
  • Avoid unnecessary purchases of multiple reusable tumblers, which can still impact the environment if overconsumed.

"You may want to consider switching out the plastic straw for one that is made from stainless steel or glass. We've started buying stainless steel ones in our home..."
— Dr. Gupta ([07:41])

4. Should You Stop Using Reusable Plastic Water Bottles? ([08:30])

• "Stay hydrated" is essential.
• It’s safe to continue using BPA-free bottles but reduce exposure by removing the straw or switching to safer materials.

"Be mindful of the plastics, but stay hydrated... You need water no matter what."
— Dr. Gupta ([08:55])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "If you had micro or nanoplastics there, you were twice as likely to have a stroke or a heart attack or die from any other cause..."
  — Dr. Gupta ([03:20])
• "Straws are perhaps not the biggest component of dietary plastic exposure. Other food packaging is likely a much more substantial contributor."
  — Dr. Trisandi via Dr. Gupta ([07:22])

Additional Q&A Segment: Hypertension in Young Adults ([10:18])

• Listener’s Story:
  • Woman from Minneapolis lost her husband (age 40) to a heart attack; he was diagnosed with hypertension at 16.
  • Asked about the seriousness with which doctors treat high blood pressure in younger adults.

Dr. Gupta’s Key Points ([11:57])

• Hypertension ("the silent killer") often goes undiagnosed; a significant portion of young adults are affected.
• New guidelines set a general goal for blood pressure: less than 130/80 for all adults.
• Lifestyle changes are recommended first, but medication should follow if blood pressure remains elevated.
• Doctors tend to be less aggressive with young patients due to a lack of long-term evidence, but this may lead to under-treatment.

"You may never know for sure why your husband's doctors did not treat... more aggressively... but to your question about younger people, overall, it does state that Hypertension among young people is common, about 1 in 8 adults, roughly between the ages of 20 and 40 years old."
— Dr. Gupta ([13:50])

• Early diagnosis and treatment matter: "Blood pressure tracks strongly within individuals from adolescence through to later life..."
  — Dr. Gupta ([14:44])

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Plastic Straw & Microplastics Deep Dive: 02:39 – 09:07
• Interview Clip: Dr. Leonardo Trisandi on Plastic Chemistry: 04:30 – 05:09
• Practical Advice for Reducing Plastic Exposure: 07:30 – 08:30
• Hydration & Overall Guidance: 08:30 – 09:07
• Hypertension in Young Adults Q&A: 10:18 – 18:49

Summary

This episode of Chasing Life empowers listeners to make informed choices about their hydration habits and personal health. Dr. Gupta reassures that while microplastics are a real concern—especially due to chemicals like BPA and its replacements—the act of drinking water from a reusable bottle is still a healthy habit. Simple steps such as avoiding plastic straws (or replacing them with glass/stainless steel) and not microwaving food in plastic can meaningfully reduce exposure.

The episode closes with heartfelt advice regarding hypertension in young adults, emphasizing the need for vigilance both by healthcare providers and patients, no matter the age.

For further questions or to suggest topics, listeners are invited to leave a voice memo or call in, making this a deeply interactive and community-oriented podcast.