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Published on: Oct 28, 2020
2 minute read
By: Dr Rajan ( Medical Second Opinion Cell)

COVID: A Reminder To Stay Safe

COVID: A reminder to stay safe

As we approach the second wave of COVID, we need to remain vigilant with our actions to prevent the spread of the virus. We are continuously reminded about wearing a mask in public, maintaining socially distant, and not engaging in risky behavior such as large gatherings. But today we will focus on other forms of transmission. COVID is primarily transmitted by airborne droplets, but spreading the infection through infected surfaces is still feasible. Here we will look at three articles that investigate this mode of transmission.

SARS-COV-2 Survives for 28 days on surfaces

This study by Australian scientists has found that SARS-CoV-2 can survive on surfaces for up to 28 days. The team investigated using the same amounts of virus found on infected individuals, interacting with surfaces such as cotton, paper, stainless steel, glass, and vinyl. Such materials were chosen as they represent commonly touched objects such as mobile phones, ATMs, supermarket checkout regions, items that may not be cleaned regularly enough. Previous research showed the virus could be detected in aerosols for up to three hours, and on plastic and stainless steel surfaces for up to three days.

This study found the virus may survive as long as a week on most surfaces, with enough potency to re-infect. Even after two weeks, there were still plenty of detectable viruses. On other surfaces such as banknotes, the virus could survive as long as a month. The survival of the virus is also potentiated by colder temperatures. The virus is far less likely to survive at 30C than at 6 C, a worrying finding for countries currently approaching winter.

Survival of SARS-CoV 2 on the human skin

We know our skin is host to millions of different bacteria and viruses, but the conditions created by the body alongside the degree of microbial competition actually makes it quite a hostile environment for pathogenic microbes. Hirose et al looked to investigate how well the SARS-CoV-2 virus survives on human skin, using a model. They found that SARS-CoV-2 and the influenza A virus were destroyed more quickly on the skin than other surfaces such as steel, glass, and plastic. However, COVID lasted over 4x longer on skin compared to Influenza A (9 hours vs 1.8 hours).

More importantly, ethanol compounds were found to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 within 15 seconds on human skin. This highlights the importance of regular hand washing, even if with alcohol gel. Taking this in mind, it is useful to keep small bottles of alcohol gel on a person when traveling in public and using it regularly. After all, if you are touching door handles and other items that hundreds of other people may have touched before you, potentially with poor hygiene, it is safer to regularly disinfect.

Low risk of COVID transmission by fomites in real life conditions

Having taken these studies into account, it is quite difficult to quantifiably measure transmission from surface to a person. Knowledge of this transmissibility is quite important, especially to those working in a hospital environment. A review by Mondelli et al published in the prestigious journal The Lancet (Infectious Disease) describes two sequential studies to looking at the possibility of contamination of surfaces in an infectious disease ward of a major Italian hospital, and also whether risk of transmission was higher in emergency rooms and sub-intensive care wards.

These studies found there were very few surfaces in the hospital through which positive swabs could be taken, suggesting contamination was low. Of course the hospitals were running standard cleaning procedures, with regular wipedowns of commonly toughed objects. This again highlights the importance of maintaining hygiene, and how adequate cleanliness can significantly reduce the risk of infection.

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Switch Soda with Detox Water: A Simple Lifestyle Change with Powerful Health Benefits

India is witnessing a major shift in beverage consumption. With obesity, diabetes, and acidity on the rise, health experts are urging people to reduce sugary drink intake. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Indians consume approximately 11–14 teaspoons of added sugar daily, much of it coming from sodas and sweetened beverages.

Replacing soda with detox water is one of the easiest and most effective health decisions you can make. Detox water is flavorful, refreshing, and beneficial for digestion, hydration, and metabolic health—without the sugar spike caused by sodas.

Why You Should Switch Soda with Detox Water

1. Soda = High Sugar + Empty Calories

A single 300ml soda contains:

6–8 teaspoons of sugar
Zero nutrients
Carbonation that worsens acidity
Artificial colors and preservatives

High soda intake increases the risk of:

Obesity
Diabetes
Fatty liver
Acidity & bloating
Poor hydration

Detox Water = Natural Cleansing + Hydration

Detox water supports:

Better digestion
Reduced bloating
Weight control
Improved immunity
Enhanced skin health

What Exactly Is Detox Water?

Detox water is simply water infused with natural ingredients such as lemon, mint, ginger, cucumber, cinnamon, or fruit slices. The nutrients seep into the water, giving it taste and health benefits without adding sugar or calories.

Popular Indian detox ingredients include:

Lemon for Vitamin C
Mint for cooling effect
Cucumber for hydration
Ginger for digestion
Tulsi for immunity
Cinnamon for metabolism

Health Benefits Backed by Real-Time Research

1. Helps Reduced Sugar Intake

By replacing soda even once a day with detox water, you reduce 20–25 grams of sugar daily, according to the WHO sugar intake guidelines.

2. Supports Weight Loss

Detox water:

Boosts metabolism
Keeps you full longer
Helps the body flush toxins

Indian nutrition surveys show individuals who replaced sugary drinks with infused water saw 3–5 kg weight reduction in 8–12 weeks.

3. Improves Digestion & Reduces Bloating

Ingredients like ginger and lemon help neutralize acidity and improve gut function.

4. Enhances Skin Health

Better hydration improves skin clarity and glow within weeks.

5. Supports Daily Hydration

Most Indians drink less than the recommended 2–2.5 liters/day. Detox water encourages drinking more.

Detox Water Recipes You Can Use Daily

1. Lemon + Mint Water

Boosts digestion and refreshes instantly.

2. Cucumber + Ginger Water

Ideal for summer hydration.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar Detox

Helps control appetite and blood sugar.

4. Tulsi + Lemon Immunity Water

Great for preventing seasonal infections.

5. Orange + Cinnamon Water

Rich in antioxidants.

Why Indians Are Switching from Soda to Detox Drinks

News and health reports highlight:

Increase in acidity cases among young adults
Rising obesity and pre-diabetes
Growing demand for healthy, zero-sugar alternatives

The Indian beverage market is shifting sharply toward functional drinks, and detox water stands at the center of this trend.

How to Make Detox Water a Daily Habit

Keep a glass bottle or large jar on your work desk.
Refill ingredients every 12 hours.
Carry detox water during travel or gym sessions.
Rotate ingredients weekly to enjoy different benefits.

Detox Water vs Soda: A Real-Time Comparison

Parameter	Soda	Detox Water
Sugar	Very High	Zero
Calories	High	Zero
Hydration	Low	High
Additives	Many	None
Health Impact	Negative	Positive
Suitable for Daily Use	No	Yes

Detox Water Helps Break Soda Addiction

Because detox water is flavorful and refreshing, it reduces cravings for sugary drinks. Many wellness studies in India show people successfully replaced soda within 2–3 weeks of consistent detox water consumption.

Conclusion

Switching soda with detox water is a small lifestyle change that delivers big health benefits—from better digestion and reduced sugar intake to improved hydration and long-term wellness. With natural ingredients and zero calories, detox water is the simplest and most effective upgrade to your daily routine.

References

ICMR – Sugar Intake Patterns India
WHO – Sugar Consumption Guidelines
National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau – Hydration Studies
AIIMS – Lifestyle & Metabolic Health Report
Journal of Clinical Nutrition India – Detox Hydration Effects
Ministry of Health, India – Obesity & Soda Consumption Report

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