When you go out to eat at a restaurant, you’re usually asked by a server if you’d prefer flat water, sparkling water, or lemon water. And while lemon water offers a ton of natural health benefits, you might want to stick to drinking it at home. According to a number of studies, lemon water served at restaurants is definitely not something you want to be consuming.
ABC News conducted a study of the 10 most germ-filled places in a restaurant. When they swabbed lemon wedges, they found that half of the lemons tested were tainted with human fecal matter. You’re probably thinking, “How on earth do lemons come into contact with human waste?!” Well, ABC’s cameras caught employees grabbing lemons with their bare hands without using gloves or even tongs. If they hadn’t washed their hands properly after using the washroom, it’s easy to see how this can be a reality.
Another study included in the Journal of Environmental Health tested 76 lemons from 21 different restaurants. They found that almost 70% of the lemons tested were covered in microbes and other bacteria, including E. coli (which can cause serious diseases and other health concerns). Can you say yuck?
We already know that restaurants aren’t always the cleanest of places. So to avoid coming into contact with nasty germs, always wash your hands right before you eat your meal. And personally, I wouldn’t be ordering water garnished with lemon from a restaurant ever again, either.
