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Hydration is key to our health, and many of us therefore prepare a glass of water on the nightstand in the evening in case we feel thirsty during the night. If you’ve ever done this, you surely know that strange taste of the water when you drink it in the morning after waking up. What causes this change in taste?
What Happens to the Water During the Night?
Drinking water does not contain sugars or proteins that would support the growth of microbes. For this reason, microbes cannot be responsible for the change in taste in the morning. However, particles of dust or airborne bacteria can easily get into the water, which affect its taste properties.
Chemical Changes in the Water
Water exposed to air absorbs carbon dioxide, which partially converts into carbonic acid. This chemical reaction changes the composition of the water. Carbonic acid can further convert into carbonates or bicarbonates, which leads to a change in the water’s pH. These chemical changes affect the taste of the water.
Is Morning Water Harmful?
Although water that has stood all night on your nightstand is not necessarily harmful, it contains particles of dust and airborne bacteria. Therefore, the next time you wake up in the morning and want to drink, it’s better to jump out of bed, run to the kitchen, and pour yourself a glass of fresh water.
Maintaining proper hydration is important, but it is equally important to ensure that the water you drink is as fresh as possible. So next time remember that even a seemingly simple thing like a glass of water on the nightstand can have its nuances.
