Is Aluminum Can Water Bad For You? Separating Fact From Fiction

January 5, 2026 •

4 min read

According to the CDC, most aluminum exposure for humans comes from food and not drinking water. This fact is a vital starting point for understanding concerns about whether is aluminum can water bad for you, as most fears stem from a misunderstanding of how modern can technology works to keep beverages safe.

Quick Summary

Modern aluminum cans for water are lined with protective, food-grade coatings to prevent metal contact. Health concerns regarding aluminum leaching are largely unfounded for water, with greater risks associated with can hygiene or acidic contents.

Key Points

Protective Liner: All aluminum beverage cans have an inner, food-grade lining that prevents the water from coming into contact with the metal.
Minimal Leaching: The amount of aluminum that leaches into neutral water from a can is negligible and considered safe for individuals with healthy kidneys.
BPA-Free Coatings: Most modern aluminum cans use BPA-free liners, mitigating concerns about the potential health effects of this chemical.
Hygiene is Key: The most immediate risk is from surface contamination on the can exterior, so it's wise to clean the lid or pour the water into a glass.
Acidic Contents Pose Higher Risk: Leaching is a more significant concern for highly acidic beverages, but for plain water, the risk is minimal.
Infinitely Recyclable: Aluminum's infinite recyclability offers a clear environmental advantage over single-use plastics, with a significantly higher recycling rate.

The Science Behind Can Linings

To understand if aluminum can water is bad for you, it's essential to know how modern beverage cans are constructed. Contrary to popular belief, your water does not come into direct contact with the aluminum itself. Instead, the inside of every can is sprayed with a protective, polymer-based coating. This food-grade lining serves as a critical barrier, preventing the aluminum from corroding and leaching into the beverage. Without this liner, the can would be susceptible to corrosion, especially when holding acidic drinks.

The Shift Away from BPA

For many years, the primary concern surrounding can linings centered on bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical used in some older epoxy resin coatings. BPA is an endocrine disruptor, and studies have shown potential health effects related to its exposure, particularly at high doses. However, the beverage industry has largely moved away from BPA-based liners in response to consumer demand and health concerns. Today, most cans are lined with BPA-free alternatives, such as newer polyesters and acrylic resins. While the safety of these substitutes is continually under review, they are considered safe for human contact based on current regulations.

Aluminum Leaching: A Minimal Risk for Water

While aluminum is a neurotoxin in large quantities, the amount of aluminum that could potentially leach from a can is extremely low, especially for non-acidic beverages like plain water. Studies have shown that for healthy individuals, aluminum ingested from food and beverages is quickly processed and eliminated by the kidneys. The primary risk of increased aluminum leaching occurs with highly acidic products, like kombucha or citrus sodas, and is minimal with neutral pH water. For the average person with healthy kidneys, the trace amounts of aluminum from a can pose no significant risk.

What About Damaged Cans?

A compromised can lining—such as from a deep dent or scratch—could theoretically increase the risk of leaching. However, quality control measures in the manufacturing process and filler plants are extremely thorough, using light testers and other inspection systems to detect any holes or damage. A visibly damaged can should always be viewed with suspicion, but the likelihood of a subtle crack in the internal lining going undetected is very low.

Beyond Leaching: The Hygiene Factor

One of the most significant and often overlooked health risks of canned beverages has nothing to do with the aluminum or the lining. It's the surface of the can itself. Cans are transported and stored in warehouses, where they are exposed to dust, bacteria, and pests. Drinking directly from the can without cleaning the top risks transferring these external contaminants into your mouth. While the risk is often small for healthy adults due to our immune systems, it is a legitimate hygiene concern. Washing the can top or pouring the contents into a clean cup can easily mitigate this risk.

Comparison: Aluminum vs. Other Containers

Choosing a beverage container often involves weighing various factors, including health and environmental impact. Here is a comparison of common options for drinking water.


Feature	Aluminum Cans	Glass Bottles	Plastic Bottles
Leaching Risk	Very low for water due to protective liner. Higher with damaged cans or acidic contents.	Virtually non-existent; glass is inert and non-porous.	Potential for chemicals (e.g., BPA, phthalates) to leach, especially when heated.
BPA/Substitutes	Most modern cans use BPA-free liners. Newer substitutes are subject to ongoing research.	BPA-free.	May contain BPA or other plasticizers, though many are now labeled "BPA-free".
Hygiene	Can exterior can harbor germs; should be washed or poured.	Safe to drink from the surface after cleaning.	Similar to cans; lid and threads can hold germs. Single-use bottles are safer in this regard.
Recyclability	Infinitely recyclable without losing quality. High recycling rate and value.	Highly recyclable, but recycling process is energy-intensive.	Plastic degrades with each recycling cycle. Lower recycling rate than aluminum.
Durability	Prone to dents, but less fragile than glass.	Fragile and prone to breakage.	Varies by plastic type, generally less durable than metal.

Conclusion

For the vast majority of consumers, drinking water from an aluminum can is not bad for you, and fears about health risks are largely overstated. The protective liners used in modern can manufacturing, coupled with robust quality control, make direct aluminum exposure minimal for neutral beverages like water. The potential for ingesting harmful chemicals from can linings is significantly lower today with the widespread adoption of BPA-free alternatives. The most credible health concern is the potential for germs and bacteria on the can's exterior, which is easily avoided by practicing basic hygiene, such as washing the lid or pouring the water into a glass. Ultimately, for healthy individuals, the potential risks from aluminum cans are low, especially when compared to the environmental benefits of using a container that is infinitely recyclable.

For more detailed information on aluminum toxicity, you can refer to the National Center for Biotechnology Information at the National Institutes of Health(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK609094/).

Frequently Asked Questions

No, the potential link between aluminum exposure and Alzheimer's disease has been largely debunked by most studies. The amount of aluminum absorbed from canned beverages is extremely small compared to overall exposure from other sources, and there is no established causal relationship for healthy individuals.

Most modern aluminum beverage cans are lined with BPA-free coatings. Older epoxy resins did contain BPA, an endocrine disruptor, but due to consumer concerns and research, the industry has largely transitioned to alternative, approved liners.

For neutral liquids like water, the leaching rate is extremely low due to the protective liner. The risk would be higher with acidic drinks and potentially with older cans near their expiration date, but regular water stored in a can is not a major risk.

A small dent is unlikely to damage the inner lining. However, a severe dent or visible scratch on the interior could potentially compromise the protective coating, allowing the contents to contact the metal. It's generally safest to avoid drinking from noticeably damaged cans.

Both have pros and cons. Glass is inert and poses no leaching risk, but is heavy and fragile. Aluminum is lightweight and infinitely recyclable, but requires a liner. For pure water, both are safe choices, but some prefer the taste profile of glass.

Yes, this is a legitimate hygiene concern. The exterior of a can can be exposed to bacteria and dirt during shipping and storage. It is always a good practice to wipe the can's lid clean or pour the contents into a separate glass before drinking.

Individuals with compromised kidney function are at a higher risk of aluminum accumulation due to inefficient excretion. While the amount from a canned drink is low, this group should consult their doctor and be mindful of their overall aluminum intake from all sources, including food and medications.