Can mineral water get bad? | STERN.de

Everyone has had this experience before:

Water from an opened bottle tastes stale after repeated use.

But can drinking water get bad?

No it can’t.

However, if a bottle is open or water is in the glass for a long time, the chemical composition of the liquid changes.

The water takes CO_2nd from the air and part of the liquid turns into carbonic acid.

This process lowers the pH of the water and makes the taste a little sour.

However, this only affects the taste experience.

It is usually not harmful. The best-before date on water bottles is therefore not an expiry date.

According to the table water regulation, manufacturers are obliged to indicate a best before date. “But mineral water can still be enjoyed without hesitation after this period. The carbonic acid preserves the mineral water and makes it almost indefinitely stable. “- Information center of German mineral water. However, oxygen can penetrate into plastic bottles and carbon dioxide can escape.

Plastic bottles can release hormone-like chemicals into the water.

Although there is no immediate damage to health if you drink the water after the expiration date,

nevertheless, researchers believe that long-term consequences are possible. Overall, it is advisable to use opened bottles within a few days.

Because when opened, microorganisms can get into the bottle.

These multiply especially in bright and warm surroundings.

Therefore, the storage of opened water bottles in the refrigerator is best.

Avoid pathogens by not drinking from a bottle with several people. When drinking, bacteria can get into the bottle via the saliva.

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