In the scorching summer heat, nothing beats opening an ice-cold can of Coke.
But you might want to pour it into a glass or use a straw instead of drinking directly from the can. Here's why.
Drinking soda straight from the can might expose you to more germs than you think. Several studies have shown that soda cans are often subject to poor hygiene.
One particularly alarming study by EarthEcco, an Australian company specializing in bacteria research, sheds light on this issue.
Researchers use Relative Light Units (RLU) to measure cleanliness. An item is considered clean if it scores below 30 RLU. Scores between 135-300 RLU indicate a dirty item.
The readings for soda cans were much higher.
EarthEcco found that a regular soda can measured 1,146 RLU, which is significantly higher than the 980 RLU typically found on a toilet seat. This indicates that the surface of soda cans can be contaminated with harmful bacteria.
“It shocked me that the canned soda was dirtier than a toilet seat. It is almost better to drink directly from the toilet bowl than from a can," said Jake Tyson, CEO of EarthEcco, in an interview with the Danish science magazine Illustreret Videnskab.
Given these findings, it's recommended to pour the contents of the can into a glass or use a straw to drink. This simple change can help reduce your exposure to harmful bacteria.
