Many people have a habit of leaving a glass of water by their bed in case they feel thirsty at night. However, anyone who has taken a sip of that water in the morning has noticed that its taste has changed and become pale. Although dust is often thought to be the cause, the real cause lies in the chemical changes that occur while we sleep.

The water left out absorbs carbon dioxide from the air. This process is especially pronounced in the bedroom, where the air we exhale during sleep directly affects the composition of the water in the glass. When dissolved in water, carbon dioxide creates a very mild carbonic acid. This acid then lowers the pH value of the liquid, which is why it acquires a distinct, slightly sour and heavy taste. The water is simply “aerated” at the molecular level.

Is such water safe to drink?

Although the changed taste may be unpleasant, science confirms that there is no reason to worry. Stagnant water is not dangerous to your health and will not poison you. Our body can easily tolerate the slight drop in pH that occurs in a glass.

A study published in the journal “Biotechnology and Bioengineering” confirms that the digestion of carbon dioxide causes a drop in pH, but this change is not harmful. The longer the water sits, the acidity increases slightly, but remains within safe limits. Therefore, an unpleasant taste is not a sign of danger, but simply a loss of freshness, so there is no reason to panic if you drink a sip of stale water.

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Source: prizrenpost