What happens if you drink the same glass of water for a week, according to the doctors

This apparently harmless habit could endanger your health.


Keep a glass of water next to your bed, filling it every night without washing it ? Or maybe you have a favorite glass of water and use it for days, without ever taking it in the dishwasher. After all, it's just water - is it really necessary to wash it?

According to doctors, Yes . In fact, not doing it could cause bad illness, they say. "Norovirus, which is A very contagious virus This causes vomiting and diarrhea, can survive for a week or more in an unwashed glass without adequate cleaning, " Dung Trinh , MD, founder of Healthy cerebral clinic , recount Better life . Read the rest to discover what he and other doctors have to say about hygienic concerns about the use of the same glass of water for a week (then load your dishwasher!).

Read this then: If you use one of these "dangerous" cleaning products, stop now, the FDA warns .

Staying well hydrated is crucial for our health.

woman drinking water out of a glass
VH-Studio / Shutterstock

Drinking a lot of water is ideal for your body: a recent study linked Good hydration habits With life longer and develop less chronic health problems. Of course, you have a lot of drinking options when you are thirsty (although you may want to skip dietary soda ), but water is the best choice you can make for your health. Even one day Without drinking water Can cause dizziness, fatigue, digestive problems, etc. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

However, it is important to take precautions with regard to path You drink water. One of them, according to doctors, is to make sure that you do not expose yourself to harmful bacteria and that you inadvertently increase your risk of illness by drinking in a dirty glass.

Read this then: Half of single men only wash it every 4 months, new research reveals .

It is not uncommon to drink the same glass of water for several days.

woman drinking from a glass of water.
Fizkes / Shutterstock

Whether you use a bottle of rechargeable water or prefer to have an ordinary drink, do not wash it between fillings is a widespread practice, note doctors. "Reuse the same glass without washing, it is common in many households," said a naturopathic primary care doctor Devin Stone , Nd, Biōreigns founder . "Sometimes the ease of simply filling our glass comes before thinking about related hygiene concerns."

But some pretty coarse things can happen if you are in this habit - and once you know them, there is a good chance that you can rub your water glasses much more often.

Using the same glass of water without washing, it can make you sick.

Man on couch feeling nausea
Dropout

"If you use the same glass for a week without washing it, bacteria start to grow on the surface of the glass," Peter Michael , Md, Chief of view , recount Better life . "It is important to frequently wash glasses to prevent this accumulation with soap and water, not just water alone."

What if you finish the water and fill it again? Will this protect you from bacteria? Trinh says no. "Even if you fill the same glass with fresh water, all the bacteria present can multiply quickly and become dangerous," he explains, citing norovirus as one of the most unpleasant viruses that can live on A glass of unwashed water. And Stone says that over time, this bacteria can create a colony called "biofilm".

"Without washing and rubbing these glasses, bacteria remain hosted in the film, giving them the possibility of reproducing and developing," said Stone. "This lets us expose ourselves to unwanted microbes."

For more health information sent directly to your reception box, Register for our daily newsletter .

Leaving a glass of water can also cause problems.

Senior man lying on bed with glass of water on the nightstand
Cunaplus / Shutterstock

Even if you wash your glass of water regularly, leaving water seated can be problematic, according to all the doctors with whom we have spoken. "An outdoor excluded glass can be exposed to bacteria suspended in the air of dust particles or other sources," explains Trinh. For this reason alone, keeping a bottle of water with a lid on your bedside table could be the best idea. (This will also prevent spills, for accident subjects among us.)

Whatever container you use for your water, don't forget to reconstruct it with fresh H2O every day. "Bacteria can also develop in water if they are not often changed in as little as a few days, so do not leave the water discovered next to your bedside table," warns Stone.


3 Coronavirus food rules that have changed
3 Coronavirus food rules that have changed
The longest zipped line of the world is more epic than ever that you have never imagined
The longest zipped line of the world is more epic than ever that you have never imagined
The royal family plans to "put a good show" for the return of Harry & Meghan
The royal family plans to "put a good show" for the return of Harry & Meghan