Is It OK to Drink Water that’s Been Sitting Out for a While?

We've all been there: you put your water bottle at your desk for the entire the weekend, or have numerous glasses of water scattered around the home for you to keep track of, or even leave an empty tumbler at your bedside table for a while. You might be wondering if drinking the water dumped, scattered all over your home and office.

Does it matter if the glass or bottle weren't covered? What is the material in the bottle or container that they've been seated in? Although many plastic bottles come with expiration dates, there can be more difficult to know what to do with the water that remains within other bottles. Let's get a deeper dive on water that's expired This is everything you must be aware of your water at-bedtime storage.

What Happens to Water as It Sits?

While you're asleep What's going on in the glass of water that's sitting at your bedside? There are a couple of things.

In the beginning, when your water is sitting, especially when it's exposed for more than eight hours then the carbon dioxide in the air will begin in a mix. It's a reactions results in the creation of weak acid and reduce the pH that your drinking water has. Although this water is completely suitable for drinking, it's pH is the main cause of the reason why your water tastes slightly different the following morning.

Another thing to remember is that with each drink you take from your glass or bottle, a new strain of bacteria is introduced. The majority of the time, this bacteria comes from your mouth, however sometimes it's from a friend or loved one. Hands with dirt are also at play in this scenario. It's not difficult to reach for the lip of a glass, or the straws on recycled water bottles using hands that aren't cleaned.

The bacterial matter that we breathe is naturally ours and is therefore not likely to cause disease. However drinking with other people and spreading the bacteria on your hands, particularly in the event that they haven't been cleaned recently - could be hazardous and could cause the introduction of bacteria in your body which could cause you to become sick. This risk is increased when we expose our water to extreme heat (especially those with extreme temperature in the interior of a car for instance) because heat speeds up the growth of bacteria.

If your water container is left exposed for a longer time, the water may also collect dust or debris as well as other tiny particles from the air that flows through your office, home or car, or anywhere you store it. Although it's unlikely the particles will cause anything, it is possible that they can change the taste of the water you drink the following day.

The tap water contains chloride in it precisely for the reason that it kills bacteria parasites and viruses. However, chlorine dissipates when exposed to air, and can be mostly absent from water after anywhere from one up to five days. Based on the length of time your water is sitting for, it could have lost the defense against bacteria at the point you decide to pick it up.

Does the Container Matter?

In the case of containers we keep our water, the material is crucial. There's a good chance that you've seen about plastic bottles being best for your health. Do you remember the BPA-free movement that took place in the latter part of 2000? BPA or bisphenol A that was previously discovered in plastic water bottles is an endocrine system disruptor, which can affect the natural hormonal processes that we experience. Studies have also revealed that it's very likely BPA is connected to a variety of problems, such as cardiovascular disease and reproductive issues.

Despite the BPA-free plastic bottles that have slipped into the market, there is an element of danger. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)--what most plastic water bottles are made of these days--can also leach toxic chemicals especially in hot conditions or the direct sun. Microplastics also pose of concern because they release even more quickly into water from plastic bottles and build up in our organs and cause a variety of health risks that are triggered when they're consumed in massive quantities.

Tips for Keeping Your Water Safe

When it boils down to it, water that has been sitting for days isn't on the list of health risks. The old water that's sitting on your counter, the water that was left over night on your bed or even water that's been sitting on your desk at work on Friday are all fine and is safe to drink. It's unlikely to cause you to become sick However, they may not taste good, particularly in the event that they've been kept unattended.

Here are some guidelines to follow if need to ensure your safety:

• Keep your water clean and covered in metal or glass containers.

• Find reusable bottles that have screw-tops to shield your water from harmful bacteria you may have on your fingers (or the bag that it's rolled through throughout the day long).

• In the event that your water bottle appears on the old side, perhaps you could offer the last few drops to your plant at home.

• If you own single-serve plastic bottles for water, ensure that you keep them in an area that is cool and dark and keep track of the expiration date.

• It is recommended to not drink water that has been left in a hot vehicle.

• If you're or have any other medical condition, take your safe game and purchase an unclean glass or refillable bottle of water each day.

• Avoid sharing water as you don't know when someone in your family is suffering from an illness (or an infection from a cold) in the making. You could also be the one to be suffering from a cough This can also help you to keep your loved ones or family members sick.

• If you've got a huge bottle of water that you're trying to keep fresh for several days Consider pouring each serving into an individual glass or vessel. This can limit the amount of bacteria can be introduced into the bottle.

In the end in the event that you're not drinking your water with all the other people at the gym, and going without it for one week, you'll likely be able to drink water that's only one day (or perhaps a couple of weeks) old.