The popular slow poison

There is one popular saying and another not-so-popular saying:

Health is wealth

Foods are slow poisons

Both sayings are relatively true. Those who are not healthy or are currently in hospitals will, perhaps, understand the meaning of health is wealth more. Medical scientists and their like also understand what is meant by foods being slow poisons. I mean, if not that there are no relevant data, what percentage of health issues facing humans worldwide do you think would be due to what we consume into our bellies?

So, can we just change the topic of this post to "The popular food"?

The answer is no. Slow poisons are different from slow poisons. This time, I am talking about an actual poison that humans willingly consume. Either they lack the education to discern the gravity of what they are doing or they simply don't care about the repercussions. After all, something must eventually kill a man.

^{Source: pixahive}

The case of packaged water under the sun

The production and sales of sachet and bottled water in Nigeria is a business that has grown in popularity in recent years. In fact, there is a saying that no one does water business and runs at a loss, which is quite true. The profitability of the business has directly led to the proliferation of wholesale and retail outlets for both sachet and bottled water. Hence, seeing sachet and bottled water being displayed under the sun is a common sight.

This sight, to an ordinary person, shouldn't raise any issue. But for those who know the implications of putting plastic or nylon-containing water in the sun, it is a big deal. Consumption of bottled or sachet water that has been exposed to sunlight for a prolonged period can pose significant health risks due to several factors. Firstly, when plastic bottles or sachets are exposed to sunlight, especially for extended periods, they may release harmful chemicals into the water through a process known as leaching (Umoafia et al., 2023). This leaching can occur more rapidly when the water is exposed to heat, causing chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates to seep into the water. These chemicals are known to disrupt hormonal balance in the body and have been linked to various health issues, including reproductive problems and certain types of cancer(Martinez-Ibarra et al., 2021).

Secondly, exposure to sunlight can promote the growth of harmful bacteria and algae in the water, particularly if the water is stored in plastic containers that are not designed to block out UV rays. Bacteria such as E. coli and algae can thrive in warm environments, leading to contamination of the water and increasing the risk of gastrointestinal illnesses such as diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach cramps upon consumption.

Furthermore, when water is exposed to sunlight, it undergoes a process called photolysis, where ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun breaks down certain compounds in the water. This process can produce harmful byproducts such as free radicals and reactive oxygen species, which can damage cells and tissues in the body, leading to oxidative stress and inflammation. Prolonged consumption of water containing high levels of these byproducts can increase the risk of developing chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and neurological disorders (Jomova et al., 2023).

A popular choice

Bottle and sachet water have become very popular in the country and virtually everyone joining the bandwagon, including myself. It was not until recently that I decided to stop the consumption of this water. This is not to say that all bottled and sachet water spends some time in the sun before getting to the final consumer. However, since there are no means for me to ensure that I get only the ones that have not been placed under the sun, excluding it totally appears to be the safest route to take.

Our hospitals are filled with different cases of cancer and other diseases that seem to be defying all odds. There is no way to exclude what we consume when considering the possible causes of these diseases.

In conclusion, we need to be more vigilant of what we consume to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

References

• Jomova, K., Raptova, R., Alomar, S.Y. et al. Reactive oxygen species, toxicity, oxidative stress, and antioxidants: chronic diseases and aging. Arch Toxicol 97, 2499–2574 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00204-023-03562-9
• Umoafia, N., Joseph, A., Edet, U., Nwaokorie, F., Henshaw, O., Edet, B., Asanga, E., Mbim, E., Chikwado, C., & Obeten, H. (2023). Deterioration of the quality of packaged potable water (bottled water) exposed to sunlight for a prolonged period: An implication for public health. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 175, 113728. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2023.113728.
• Martínez-Ibarra, A., Martínez-Razo, L. D., MacDonald-Ramos, K., Morales-Pacheco, M., Vázquez-Martínez, E. R., López-López, M., Rodríguez Dorantes, M., & Cerbón, M. (2021). Multisystemic alterations in humans induced by bisphenol A and phthalates: Experimental, epidemiological and clinical studies reveal the need to change health policies. Environmental Pollution, 271, 116380. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.116380.