- Water bottles, although convenient, can become a breeding ground for dangerous bacteria.
- Water left in a bottle for more than 24 hours may contain millions of bacteria, including streptococci and E. coli.
- Learn how to clean water bottles effectively to protect your health.
- Do you want to know a simple home method to remove bacteria and dirt from the bottle?
Can water bottles be hazardous to health? The research is shocking
Water bottles are a clever gadget that allows us to always have something to drink with us. Recently, large, even liter bottles have become fashionable, with prices reaching over PLN 100. American Stanley brand bottles dominated the market and even fakes appeared. Dietitians indicate that this use of water is very healthy. It is much better to drink small amounts of water throughout the day than to drink a liter at once. Thanks to this, water is better absorbed by the body and does not cause greater pressure on the bladder.
However, water bottles can pose a serious threat. It turns out that dangerous bacteria settle on their walls. This applies to bottles made of various types of materials. Scientists indicate that glass and metal bottles are the best, but this does not mean that they will not contain bacteria. Primrose Freestone, assistant professor of clinical microbiology at the University of Leicester in the UK, points out that there is microbial life in water, which means that leaving water in a bottle for several days promotes the multiplication of dangerous bacteria. Temperature is also important. There are many types of bacteria that breed at room temperature, i.e. around 20 degrees Celsius. Studies have shown that from 1 to 2 million bacteria per 1 mm were detected in the water in the bottle over a day. The most dangerous bacteria that may be present in bottles include streptococci, enterococci and even Coliform bacteria. We usually transfer the latter onto the bottle ourselves. Scientists have indicated that one way to reduce the proliferation of bacteria is to keep water in the refrigerator. However, this may not be enough.
Pour this into your water bottle. Removes bacteria and dirt
The key is to clean your water bottles regularly. This should be done not only from the outside, but above all from the inside. In stores you can buy special, soluble tablets for washing water bottles. You can also use home remedies. Baking soda will work great in this case. It is a safe powder that has strong antibacterial properties. How to clean a water bottle with baking soda? It’s very simple. Pour hot water into the bottle and add about 3 teaspoons of baking soda. Cap the bottle and shake it thoroughly. Set aside for about 5 minutes and then rinse the inside of the bottle thoroughly. Baking soda will eliminate bacteria inside and also remove unpleasant odors. Remember to clean your water bottles regularly. It’s best to do this before each time you fill them. Also, do not store water in them for more than a few hours. Replace it regularly with fresh ones.
How many days should you drink water?
General recommendations
- For adult men: approx. 3.7 liters of fluids a day (i.e. ~ 15.5 cups) – includes water from drinks and partly from food.
- For adult women: approximately 2.7 liters of fluids per day (~11.5 cups) under conditions of moderate activity and a moderate climate.
- For children and adolescents, the needs are lower and depend on age – e.g. 9-13 years: boys ~2.4 l, girls ~2.1 l of total fluids.
