Summer is the season for sun, grilling, fresh fruit, and beach days. But as you head outdoors to enjoy the warm weather, it’s worth taking a closer look at some of the everyday summer habits and products that could be silently impacting your health. Even though the 4th of July barbeques are over, it’s not too late to make healthier choices.
From the tools you use on the grill to the sunscreen you slather on your skin, not everything that’s marketed as “safe” truly is. Experts like Gary Brecka, Dr. Paul Saladino, and Dr. Andrew Huberman have all spoken out about how seemingly innocent exposures — to chemicals, toxins, and micro-contaminants — can quietly undermine your long-term health.
Here are some common summer items and habits to avoid, along with healthier alternatives that let you enjoy the season without compromising your well-being.
1. Ditch the Metal Grill Brush
Nothing says summer like firing up the backyard grill. But before you reach for that metal-bristle grill brush, you should know it could be leaving behind more than just clean grates.
Metal bristles can break off during cleaning, fall onto the grill surface, and wind up embedded in your food.
Once swallowed, these tiny wire fragments can cause serious internal injuries, including damage to the throat, stomach, or intestines. Emergency room visits related to this issue aren’t as rare as you’d think.
Healthier Alternative: Choose a bristle-free grill cleaner, such as a wooden grill scraper (which naturally conforms to your grill over time) or a nylon brush rated for high heat. Another option? A grill stone made from pumice — tough on residue, gentle on your health.
2. Wash Your Fruit — Always
Summer means more fresh fruit: berries, grapes, apples, peaches — all delicious, hydrating, and nutrient-rich. But if you’re not washing your fruit thoroughly, especially those without a thick peel, you’re likely consuming pesticide residue with every bite.
Fruits like strawberries, apples, grapes, and blueberries consistently top the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Dirty Dozen list, meaning they’re among the most pesticide-contaminated produce sold in the U.S.
Even organic options can have surface-level residues from the supply chain. Simply rinsing with water often isn’t enough.
The Fix: Soak your fruit in a baking soda solution. Just mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda per 2 cups of water and soak the fruit for 12–15 minutes. The alkaline nature of baking soda helps neutralize and remove pesticide residues much more effectively than plain water. Then rinse and enjoy.
Pro Tip: This method also helps remove bacteria and waxy coatings that can interfere with digestion.
3. Reconsider Your Sunscreen
You know that wearing sunscreen is essential to protect against UV damage — but not all sunscreens are created equal. In fact, many conventional sunscreens are loaded with endocrine-disrupting chemicals, including:
- Oxybenzone
- Octinoxate
- Homosalate
- Avobenzone
These ingredients have been linked to hormonal imbalance, skin irritation, and even potential fertility issues. Studies have also shown that they can penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream, with some of these chemicals still detectable in the body days later.
This is especially concerning for children, whose skin barrier is more absorbent and who are often covered head to toe in sunscreen all summer long.
Healthier Alternative: Try tallow-based sunscreen or mineral-based sunscreens made with zinc oxide or non-nano titanium dioxide. Tallow — yes, rendered beef fat — might sound unusual, but it’s incredibly nourishing to the skin and acts as a natural moisture barrier. Plus, tallow-based sunscreens are typically free from synthetic chemicals and preservatives.
Bonus: These formulas are reef-safe, meaning they won’t contribute to the destruction of marine ecosystems like chemical sunscreens do.
4. Plastic Water Bottles in the Sun? Nope.
Hydration is key during the summer months, but grabbing a plastic water bottle that’s been sitting in a hot car or beach bag is a recipe for chemical exposure. Heat causes plastics to leach BPA, phthalates, and even microplastics into your water.
Even bottles labeled “BPA-free” often contain BPS or BPF, which are just as harmful according to recent studies.
Healthier Alternative: Use a stainless steel or glass water bottle. Brands like Hydro Flask, Lifefactory, and Purifyou offer options that are durable, safe, and stylish. Even better, invest in a copper water bottle to not only keep your water pure, but enhance it with the natural antimicrobial properties of copper.
5. Watch Out for Spray Insect Repellents
Nobody likes mosquitos, but conventional DEET-based bug sprays are another common summer product to reconsider. DEET has been linked to skin irritation, neurological effects, and potential endocrine disruption — especially with frequent use.
Healthier Alternative: Opt for essential oil-based repellents that use ingredients like lemongrass, citronella, eucalyptus, or cedarwood. You can even make your own with a base of witch hazel and a carrier oil.
Enjoy Summer — Without the Silent Health Risks
You don’t need to sacrifice summer fun in the name of wellness — you just need to stay informed and make a few smart swaps. Most of these changes are simple, affordable, and offer long-term benefits not just for your health, but for your family, pets, and the environment.
Here’s a quick recap of what to avoid and what to use instead:
| Avoid | Use Instead |
|---|---|
| Metal grill brush | Wood scraper or grill stone |
| Unwashed fruit | Soak in baking soda and water |
| Chemical sunscreens | Tallow-based or mineral sunscreen |
| Plastic water bottles in the sun | Stainless steel, glass, copper bottles |
| DEET insect sprays | Essential oil-based repellents |
Your summer memories should be full of sunshine, not silent health risks. With just a little awareness, you can enjoy the season and still support your body, mind, and longevity.
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