Thursday, September 24, 2009
You opened that bottle of Dr. Pepper a week ago and crammed it into the back of the fridge. Now you’re desperate for a caffeine fix, but aren’t sure if chugging it down is a good idea.
Turns out it’s not really bad for you — just super gross.
Take a swig of these germs: Drinking opened beverages from the fridge can be disgusting.
Any bacteria that could grow in a previously opened drink probably won’t make you sick, says Susan Egan, professor of molecular biosciences. After a while though, bacteria would use up the sugar in the drink and secrete their byproducts into it, making it taste bad.
For most beverages, it will take more than a day for bacteria to grow. The amount of creepy crawlers in your drink also depends on its temperature. Keeping the drink refrigerated will keep fewer germs from developing.
Clear liquids, such as water or lemonade, will take longer to grow bacteria because they have less to feed on, Egan says. Carbonated drinks, such as sodas, will also take a while to grow bacteria. The high acidity levels naturally sterilize those drinks, making it more difficult for bacteria to grow. But watch out before taking a swig of week-old super sugary drinks such as punch and certain juices. They can grow bacteria more quickly.
Drinking a sip of your own day-old Vitamin Water probably won’t harm you, but definitely avoid your buddy’s old Pepsi. Germs growing on the top of the bottle are an easy way to transfer a bacterial disease or flu virus, Egan says.
If you accidentally take a swig of the water you left sitting by your bed three nights ago, the nasty taste might make you gag like a cat hacking up a hairball, but chill out. It’s probably just dust.
That's disgusting: showerheads
Dude, gross.
The real cost of bottled water
An analysis of the economic and environmental costs of bottled water.
Best of the worst: bottled versus tap
Better options for bad (health) situations.
Keying in on germs
The surfaces of public computer keyboards harbor hundreds of germs and bacteria. ...
Good for you, bad for you: Peroxide
Sometimes it’s hard to tell.
That's disgusting: the five-second rule
English: Why it’s time to break up ...
That's disgusting: restaurant lemons
Dude, gross.
That's Disgusting: Dirty Laundry
Dude...gross.
That's disgusting: cell phones
Becoming a brewmeister
Beware of the Winos
That’s disgusting: Germs on money
Dude, that's gross.
Setting Up Camp
Keep your outdoor experience safe
Let's talk dirty
Bathing habits — and the idea of “dirty” and “clean” — vary ...
Kansan Departments
Your guide to surviving the week.
Growing up over a glass of beer
How drinking with friends helped spur my social education.
No wine? Wine not?
Neglected by students and historically oppressed, wine is making a return that ...
Good for you / bad for you
Open containers
That's Disgusting
Swimming Can Make You Sick
That's disgusting: Not washing your retainers
Plastic molds harbor nasty bacteria if not cleaned
That's disgusting: beer pong
A Fancy Affair
Stay and play
If you’re staying in Lawrence, fall in step on Mass
Schwartz: Stay green on Spring Break
Easy tips for staying eco-friendly during vacation.
Acquired taste
Beer tasting is a lot like wine - there are rules to ...
Kansan Departments
Your guide to surviving the week.
Presence of algae indicates larger problems
As reservoirs age, Lawrence residents may experience water issues.
Beyond the tap
Experts weigh in on the latest water trends
That's disgusting: Toothbrushes
Dude ... gross.
Alumni celebrate wine tradition
Drinking wine offers college students a good time for a good price.
Energy drinks give more than boost
Popular beverages bring energy, possibly negative side effects to students’ lives
That's disgusting
No double dipping, dude
That's disgusting
Neglecting your tongue
One night of fun, one day of ...
The inside scoop on hangovers
Essential Life Skills: Making the perfect margarita
In case of emergency, read quickly.
BYOB: Brew Your Own Beer
A look at what it takes to start homebrewing.
Letter to the Editor: Bottled water safe ...
Bottled water company cares about the safety and environmental impact of its ...
That's Disgusting
Shoes on the coffee table
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
KUnited presidential candidate Libby Johnson and vice presidential ...
1 comment
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID