Water, this health ally, can be the cause of various pathologies if it is poorly stored. And the consumption times are often very short…
Dehydration, fever, headache, vomiting… These symptoms can be signs of a “water disease”, in other words linked to hydration. Enteric viruses (like gastro to put it simply) don’t just appear after drinking unsafe water, they sometimes result from the spread of bacteria in areas of stagnant water.
Whether it is in the corners or in the folds of the bottle, these microorganisms can infiltrate everywhere. There are several types of waterborne diseases, but the ones that interest us come from non-target bacteria found only in drinking water.
For plastic containers, the risk is twofold. Few people know that after opening a bottle, you must not exceed a certain period for two reasons: bacteria and microplastics. In both cases, shelf life after opening is an important factor.
First, before consumption, the water in a plastic bottle does not expire. It is only after being in contact with microorganisms, of which the oral cavity is particularly rich with its 100,000 million bacteria per milliliter of saliva, that the exhalation process begins. The more it is in contact with the outside world, and the more time we give bacteria to multiply, the greater the risk of getting sick from drinking water.
Then microplastics come into play According to the American magazine “PNAS”, plastic bottles contain up to 100 times more tiny plastic particles than previously estimated. In 2022, the Nestlé Waters company was at the center of a report that claimed 78% of the bottles sold by the brand were contaminated with microplastics.
And also at this point, the shelf life after opening must be reduced. In September, GP Jimmy Mohammed warned on RTL about this point: “When you open a bottle of water, well after 24 hours, if you haven’t drunk it, it should go in the bin.” In comparison, water bottles provide both an environmental and health benefit… As long as they are not made of plastic and washed at least once a day.
Bottled water should therefore be consumed within days of opening or even within 24 to 48 hours depending on the source. It should also be stored in a dark and cool place. In extreme heat or frost, the risk is increased. Chemical substances can escape from the container and contaminate it.