Ever noticed that a glass of water tastes a little, ermm, different after it's been left out overnight? Fortunately there's a scientific explanation for this flavour phenomenon, so you can rest easy with out suspecting spiders, gremlins  or other such terrors of the night tampering with your bedside quality water glass.

• Overnight water absorbs CO2, altering taste.
• Bottled water's "expiration" due to plastic leeching.
• Water essential for health and well-being.

Discovery News have come forward with an explanation. Apparently, as water interacts with the air around it, it absorbs little amounts of carbon dioxide and forms teeny-tiny portions of carbonic acid. Lowering the liquid's pH, this chemical change makes the water more acidic and ever so slightly changing the way it tastes. So you're not going mad after all!

Water Science, Yeah!

So Discovery assures us we can rest easy and even keep an entire water jug set out overnight to drink from in the morning without a worry, one night won't hurt. (Perhaps don't consume water that has been left out for too long though, it can play host to mosquito larvae and grow algae - eep!)

But if water can't really spoil without the influence of outside factors, you may be wondering why a drink from a promotional plastic water bottles might have an expiration date, right?

What about bottled water?

Well, all consumable goods are required by law to have an expiration date on the packing, for starters. And as it turns out, it's not the water itself that has an expiry, but the bottle! The plastic eventually starts leeching chemicals into the water which may make it taste a little less 'spring fresh', but not necessarily render it toxic. Yay!

Why Drink Water?

Drinking water is essential for maintaining overall health and well-being due to the following reasons:

1. Hydration: Water helps maintain the body's fluid balance, which is crucial for regulating body temperature, digestion, absorption, and transportation of nutrients.

2. Brain function: Adequate hydration improves cognitive function, concentration, and memory, as the brain relies on a sufficient supply of water to function optimally.

3. Detoxification: Water flushes out toxins and waste products from the body through urination, perspiration, and bowel movements, promoting kidney health and reducing the risk of urinary tract infections.

4. Digestion: Drinking water aids in digestion by breaking down food and preventing constipation, ensuring the proper absorption of nutrients.

5. Weight management: Consuming water can help control appetite and increase feelings of fullness, making it an essential component of weight loss and maintenance plans.

6. Joint lubrication: Water helps cushion joints, reducing friction and supporting mobility and flexibility.

7. Skin health: Adequate hydration maintains skin elasticity and can help prevent dryness, flakiness, and premature aging.

8. Energy levels: Dehydration can lead to fatigue, so drinking enough water is essential for maintaining energy levels throughout the day.

Takeaway

Water plays a vital role in maintaining our overall health and well-being. While it natural for water to taste slightly different after being left out overnight or stored in plastic bottles, it's generally still safe to drink. Prioritize regular water intake to stay hydrated and support essential bodily functions such as brain function, detoxification, digestion, weight management, joint lubrication, skin health, and energy levels. So, drink up and enjoy the numerous benefits of this essential life-giving liquid!

Read more here:
http://www.coolhunting.com/link/why-water-tastes-weird-after-leaving-it-out
http://www.livescience.com/32636-why-do-bottles-of-water-have-expiration-dates-.html