Part 41 - Drinking Water Abroad
This month, still in preparation for a long summer away, I intend to link two subjects that have featured in recent health and fitness columns ‐ dehydration and travel sickness. I am sure you are eagerly waiting to see how I create such a link so let’s end the suspense now! This month’s healthy living column is all about drinking water abroad.
Story Highlights
- Something In The Water
- What Are The Risks?
- So What If I’m Thirsty?
- Before You Go
Something In The Water
Numerous friends of mine have at some point in their lives been to Morocco and all of them have independently, recounted their own version of the same story. Ultimately this ends with them spending entire days in the very close vicinity of a bathroom. You know what I’m talking about ‐ but I’m British so I won’t say it! Yes, this is another way that illness can easily spoil a holiday.
I singled out Morocco but there is in fact a massive range of locations all around the world where the quality of the drinking water is questionable at best, with a variety of consequences ‐ after you take it on board! Outside of Western Europe, The USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, the big risk factors come into play. Just so you know these risks are most apparent in developing parts of Central America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
Of course there’s immense variation between countries, regions and even establishments, so find out the lowdown before you arrive. Wherever you are however, here are some simple and practical tips on how to avoid three days on the trott with the … trotts!
What Are The Risks?
Thankfully the most common causes of illness from drinking water are bacterial. I say thankfully because this is the easiest illness to pre‐emptively remove and treat. There are however still risks of viral presence or indeed chemical pollution.
There’s also the risk of deception in that it’s common for locals of a particular region to be unaffected by their tap water. Their bodies are accustomed to its impurities and have developed the appropriate immune defences. I therefore advise that should you be staying in such an area for an extended period of time, you allow your body to develop such defences by gradually introducing it to the presence of such microbes. But start extremely slowly.
Also remember that water is edible too so any food that’s been in contact with water for the sake of rinsing, soaking or mixing can take on the same risks. A simple remedy is to ask your waiter and choose wisely!
Furthermore water is still water when it’s frozen. Most impurities remain unaffected by freezing, including many bacteria. A certain friend of mine religiously drank bottled water for his entire stay in Marrakesh but one bite of ice cream was one bite too far. A well known, pre‐made frozen product is therefore a much better choice when the munchies hit on a sunny afternoon.
Finally there’s the bathroom with the same dangerous water coming from the same pipes and entering you mouth and even your eyes. I therefore advise once more the use of bottled water ‐ to clean your teeth and rinse your contact lenses. Oh and keep you mouth closed in the shower! This may sound silly but as soon as you start so sing you could be inviting those microbes in.
So What If I’m Thirsty?
Well I’m glad you asked because here are some options ‐ just for you!
- Bottled water is the safest and most commonly advised prescription. Find out the name of a reliable local brand just to be sure.
- Boiling is a great way to sterilize water. This makes tea and coffee safe options but also boiling (and allowing to cool) before drinking is a sure fire approach. Just be aware of those ice cubes and any sediment that may form in your glass!
- As with imported frozen foods, canned drinks are generally safe. If you can trust the name then you can trust the contents.
- Have a beer! Alcohol kills the yeast used to make it and also the bacterial content. Hence alcoholic beverages are usually clean. When choosing a mixer however ‐ stick to the advice already offered.
- In addition you should know that a big intake of caffeine or alcohol can increase the effects of dehydration. Fitting with my philosophy of health and fitness, moderation is the key ‐ so do your best to be prepared for desperate times.
Before You Go
For those of you who have not yet departed, there are several products on the market which may help ‐ such as water treatment tablets. These do not however kill all impurities and some may carry risks of their own. The same may be said about water filters, where the effectiveness is often proportional to the price. So it pays to read the box and to be well informed on the particular hazards of your destination.
I will leave it up to you to consider such options, but my final piece of advice is this. If you fall ill, stay hydrated. If the symptoms become severe or it don’t clear up within three days, then go and see a doctor. You may even want to take a trip to the surgery before you go, just to be on the safe side. Other than that, I wish you all a safe journey.
‐ David Haw
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