Is Your Summer Hydration Routine Putting You at Risk?

In recent weeks, the weather in Israel has become exceptionally hot—with temperatures exceeding the seasonal average. Many have been trying to "compensate" for this by drinking lots of water. Typically, we tend to drink water from bottles (since, if the bottle isn\'t nearby, how will we remember to drink?), but it turns out that this seemingly innocuous act can also be dangerous.<\/p>

Turns out, the hot weather may cause bottles to contain substances that could pose a risk. So, what should you know about drinking bottled water during these hot summer days?<\/p>

Sarah Lawson, a food safety expert, tells international media: "Avoid drinking water from bottles left in the sun or a hot environment, like a car. The heat can cause harmful chemicals from the plastic to leach into the water. Staying hydrated is important, but drinking water left in the heat is not safe at all. It\'s crucial to keep your water bottles cool to protect your health."<\/p>

It turns out that hot water in a bottle can be harmful, as chemicals from the plastic might seep into the water. These components can be damaging to the body and may cause various problems.<\/p>

In an interview with Walla, Dr. Hagit Olnovsky, a health risk management expert, explained: "Like food, with mineral water bottles the main concern, more than expiration dates, is storage. If stored in a cool, dry, and shaded place, they can last well beyond the date—just like dry food, such as pasta. If the mineral water is exposed to the sun, it might become unfit for drinking. That\'s why you shouldn\'t keep water in a car or store it outside as gas stations often do."<\/p>

She explained that "when it comes to plastic mineral water bottles, if exposed to the sun, the bottle breaks down, and then we drink water with microplastics. Although there is currently no evidence that one-time exposure to microplastics can harm our health, there\'s no doubt that prolonged exposure could be dangerous."<\/p>