Jakarta –
A recent study revealed reusable water bottles can contain around 40,000 times more germs than toilet seats (in some cases). In fact, pet drinking bowls are 14 times cleaner than everyday water bottles if they are not washed regularly.
However, more bacteria doesn’t always mean bad news. In this case, most of the bacteria comes from our own mouth and it is not very dangerous.
In November 2022, a team of water quality experts from Denver-based WaterFilterGuru collected germ swab samples from the surfaces of various used water bottles with different designs that are popular in the United States.
Every surface was wiped three times, including the lid, and all of these samples were tested in a laboratory. The test results were recently published.
“We found the average number of CFU (Colony-Forming Units) bacteria in reusable water bottles reached 20.8 million, underscoring the importance of strict hygiene. These findings were nearly consistent across the different types of bottles tested, indicating that anything design or type of bottle cap, maintaining cleanliness is very important for everyone’s health.” Brian Campbell, Certified Water Specialist and founder of WaterFilterGuru told ZME Science, quoted on Sunday (10/3/2024).
Why do drink bottles get so dirty?
According to research, about 15% of Americans do not clean their water bottles regularly. Individuals in the gen-Z age group were found to be the most reluctant to clean their bottles. About 16% wash their bottles only a few times a month.
All unclean bottles become a breeding ground for germs in large numbers. Moreover, every time someone drinks water from the bottle, the bacteria from their mouth also contaminates the bottle even more.
“The human mouth is home to a large number of different bacteria. So it is not surprising that drinking containers are filled with microbes,” said Andrew Edwards, a microbiologist at Imperial College London who was not involved in this research, quoted from News.com.au.
However, when researchers observed the types of bacteria in water bottles, it turned out that a large number of the bacteria came from our own mouths, so they were not harmful to health.
However, that doesn’t mean that all bacteria are harmless.
The researchers also detected the presence of gram-negative bacilli and rods, two disease-causing bacteria associated with stomach (and intestinal) problems and antibiotic resistance.
“Bottles that incorporate hydration into your daily routine can make you sick if not properly cared for. If you’re not feeling well, check your water bottle cleaning habits to see if bacteria and mold may be to blame,” the study authors said.
The study also revealed that among various types of bottles, bottles with spout caps and screw caps had the highest number of bacteria, while bottles with squeezable caps had the least number of bacteria.
In their study, the researchers did not take into account reusable water bottles, which are washed and cleaned every day.
The findings are based on the water bottle cleaning habits of 1,000 Americans, and how those habits affected the number of CFUs in their bottles.
“Unfortunately, we can’t talk about bottles being washed and cleaned every day, because we don’t include them in our swab samples,” Campbell said.
He further suggests that using reusable water bottles is generally safe if kept clean.
How to keep drinking bottles clean
Here are some simple things you can do to keep your water bottle free of harmful germs, according to Campbell:
1. Clean the water bottle regularly, ideally every day, using soap and hot water.
2. Dry the bottles thoroughly after washing to prevent bacterial growth.
3. Avoid sharing bottles with other people to reduce the risk of spreading germs.
4. Choose bottles that are easy to clean and have fewer hard-to-reach places.
The study authors also recommend cleaning water bottles once a week, more often if you also drink something other than bottled water.
“This simple, easy-to-follow habit can significantly reduce the number of germs, making reusable bottles a safe and environmentally friendly choice,” Campbell told ZME Science.
Watch the video “Recommended Water Needs to Avoid Drinking Less in Hot Weather”
(nah/faz)
2024-03-11 22:00:00
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