A study warns of water bottle bacteria

Baghdad-INA 

We often stop at the shops during a long day to buy a bottle of water to quench our thirst, without realizing the dangers of what we have brought to our bodies ourselves.

A new study warns that reusable water bottles contain more bacteria than a toilet seat, according to the American New York Post.

The report indicated that researchers scanned a number of water bottles that are sold in the market for the purpose of using them multiple times, in search of any bacteria that may be present in them.

The study team found two types of bacteria on most bottles: Bacillus cereus and Gram-negative bacteria, which increase antibiotic resistance and gastrointestinal problems.

They also indicated that the amount of these types of bacteria found exceeds the average number of bacteria found in a regular toilet seat by about 40,000 times.

The team also reported that these bottles contained twice as much bacteria as a kitchen sink, four times more bacteria than a computer mouse, and 14 times more bacteria than a pet's drinking bowl.

Wash and sterilize them
In turn, Dr. Andrew Edwards, a molecular microbiologist at Imperial College London, explained that if the human mouth is home to a large number and variety of different bacteria, it is not surprising that drinking bottles are full of microbes.

It is noteworthy that the researchers advised, after the study, that they should wash their bottles at least once a day with hot water and soap, and sterilize them at least once a week, with an increase in the number of these times if the person is sick.