Can bottled water expire?
In this brief guide, we will discuss the following question, “can bottled water expire?”, how to properly store bottled water, how bottled water goes bad, and other queries related to this topic.
Can bottled water expire?
No, bottled water does not expire. However, you might notice an expiration day on the water bottles. Generally, the expiration date of bottled water is around two years. But it is extremely safe to drink water that has been bottled for more than two years.
However, it is not a good idea. Since usually water is bottled in a plastic bottle. With time the chemical compounds such as bisphenol A, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) in the plastic will leak into the water and thus contaminate it.
When these compounds are ingested for a long time they will accumulate in your body. Those plastic compounds lead to many health problems such as endocrine disorders, and reproductive, respiratory, and immunity dysfunction.
Moreover, chemical compounds can leak into your water due to its exposure to sunlight, heat, and inappropriate storage. So, bottled water should be stored in a cool, dry place far from sunlight in order to avoid chemical leakage into the water and harming oneself.
Additionally, tap and regular water can be stored for six months if well preserved. Beyond this time, the water starts to develop a stale taste. The reason behind this stale taste is the chemical reaction between carbon dioxide and water, thus the result is an increase in the acidity of water.
Furthermore, carbonated bottled or tap water will lose its carbonation and will become flat and tasteless with time because the gas starts to escape from the water.
How to properly store bottled water?
The best way to store bottled water is to put your bottles in a dark, cool, and dry place like in your pantry, and especially far from direct sunlight in order to prevent plastic degradation and the leakage of the harmful chemicals into the water.
Furthermore, storing the water bottles in a cool place is not only for preventing chemicals leakage into the water but also for preventing bacteria from proliferating within the liquid and leading to food poisoning that causes diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
Moreover, keep your bottled water far from any toxic and odiferous products. Additionally, you might notice sometimes that after several months to years the water has developed a bad taste and odor. So, discard it and do not drink it.
How does bottled water go bad?
The water inside the bottle does not go bad, so the quality of the water itself does not deteriorate, however, the quality of the plastic bottle starts to decline with time, and the chemical compounds that form the plastic leak into the water.
As mentioned earlier, these chemicals affect the consumer’s health and lead to several diseases and health problems, like neurological problems, endocrine and hormone perturbation leading to reproduction problems, and many other diseases.
To avoid these problems, follow the storage instructions on the water bottle like keeping the product in a cool and dry place, and try to consume the water before its “best by” date. Although, substitute your plastic bottles with glass or aluminum ones.
Like that you reduce your exposure to plastic and its chemical compounds. Furthermore, try to replace your plastic bags with paper or silicone and reusable bags. This way you are reducing your body’s exposure and you are protecting the environment.
Can you drink expired bottled water?
Yes, it is extremely safe to drink expired water as long as the water does not have any bad taste or odor. Moreover, it is recommended to consume your bottles of water within six months of purchasing once it is well stored in a cool and dark place.
However, if your water is carbonated, its taste might be altered and tasteless due to the loss of the gas added to it. Additionally, an opened water bottle can still be consumed for thirty days if placed in an appropriate place.
Why should I drink water?
First of all, water is the best hydration method plus it is free of calories. In the body, the water has many functions such as aiding in digestion, preventing constipation, regulating body temperature, carrying oxygen and nutrients to the cells, and many others.
However, the quantity of water that should be consumed during the day depends on your sex, age, body weight, and physical activity. But it is generally recommended to consume about eight cups per day to stay hydrated.
Other FAQs about Water that you may be interested in.
Can you use purified water in a humidifier
Can you freeze Aquafina water?
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we discussed the following question, “can bottled water expire?”, how to properly store bottled water, how bottled water goes bad, and other queries related to this topic.
References
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/does-water-expire#tap-water
