Why is it bad to drink overnight water sitting for a long time?

Pouring ourselves a glass of water and chugging it in one go seems like the simplest act we perform in a day. Other than the purity of the water we hardly pay attention to anything when we drink or offer it to others. But you would be surprised to know that there are several small details in regards to drinking water that may have a major impact on your health and well-being. Right from how long the water is kept in the glass to how you are drinking it, all hold great significance when it comes to hydrating ourselves and quenching our thirst.

Sufficient intake of water is essential for every living being. Water not only hydrates us but also removes toxins from the body, lubricates the joints and helps in the functioning of other organs. All in all, water has several roles to play in keeping us healthy and fit. So, when you drink water incorrectly you are missing out on some essential benefits of it.

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Have you ever felt any change in the taste of the fluid when you drink a glass of water sitting for a long time or overnight? Most certainly you would have. You feel the change in taste because of carbon dioxide. Leaving the water uncovered for 12 hours leads to molecular changes in water. The carbon dioxide in the air starts to mix with it, reducing the pH level that gives it an off-taste. It does not mean that this water is unsafe for consumption. Tap water has a shelf life of six months, so you can drink this water. But drinking uncovered water also means consuming all the dirt and debris that sits on the top layer from the surrounding. You may not be able to see it, but trust us there are millions of them.

It is normal for people to get up in the morning and drink water left overnight on the side table, in a bottle or a tumbler. Or sometimes we even gulp water from a bottle kept in the car for days. Drinking water from bottles, especially when you have taken sips directly by putting your mouth at the rim of the bottle, is not safe at all. That's because when we put our mouth at the rim of the bottle, the dead skin, dust, and sweat covering our skin get backwashed in the remaining water. Even our saliva which contains millions of bacteria is mixed in the water of the bottle. If the water is allowed to sit for a while, especially at a warm temperature, the bacteria tend to grow rapidly. When you drink the same water again, it finds a passage into your body, increasing the risk of numerous health-related issues. The risk of getting sick is higher when you share your bottle of water with someone suffering from a communicable disease.

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Whenever possible fill your glass with fresh water from the tap or filter. If you are keeping a bottle at your nightstand, do not drink directly from the bottle. Keep a glass with a lid along with your bottle of water. When you wake up in the morning, avoid drinking water from the same bottle. Also, change the water of the bottle daily. When you are going out, try to not drink water by putting your mouth at the rim of the bottle. Also, change the water of the bottle kept in the car daily.