Credits: Social Media
Gut health issues could be down to your sponges and dish cloths, doctor says
How clean is your kitchen sink? What about your dishcloths?
Both are hotspots for pathogens, according to Instagrams Dr Daniel Pompa and Michigan State University. Pathogens include bacteria, which thrive in warm, moist environments especially ones replete with food, such as kitchen sinks and dishcloths. Good or bad, bacteria rule our lives. Feed the good ones with honey. Keep the bad ones at bay by maintaining oral hygiene.
Dish sponges are bacterial spreaders
The sponges many of us use to wash our dishes after preparing food are bacterial spreaders, says Dr Daniel Pompa.
Hes a health coach, speaker, and author with a substantial following on social media.
- WHILE WE’VE GOT YOU: 5 tips to prepare your car for winter
All these little nooks and crannies. Every time you pick up a glass and [use the sponge to clean it] youre spreading bacteria.
The older the sponge, the worse it becomes, he says. Washing them in the dishwasher cleans them, but not very well. His solution is to instead use a washing-up sponge made of silicone.
Silicone sponges are available to buy online or from stores all over the country. They are more hygienic than disposable sponges because they dont have all those nooks and crannies for bacteria to hide in.
Stop the bacteria spread in your kitchen, Dr Pompa says. Use a silicone sponge instead.
Sanitize sponges by putting them in the microwave
Sponges are an ideal environment for pathogens to multiply, writes Michigan State Universitys Safe Food & Water blog.
They offer warmth, moisture, and food for bacteria, allowing them to thrive. Examples include campylobacter, salmonella, staphylococcus, E. coli, and listeria, all of which can cause mild to severe intestinal and skin infections.
In other words, not good for gut health.
Use hot water and soap on the sponge to lower or eliminate bacterial growth, is their advice. Or, sanitize sponges quickly and effectively by putting them in the microwave for one minute. This kills 99% of bacteria, yeasts, and mold, according to the US Department of Agriculture.
Alternatively, soak them in a solution of bleach (one-quarter of a teaspoon) and water (one quart). Soak for a minute to allow for full effect, then wring out and let dry.
Michigan has these additional tips:
- Replace sponges and dishcloths frequently.
- Store them in a dry place.
- Avoid wiping up meat juices with a reusable sponge or dishcloth. Use something disposable.
- Reduce chances of cross-contamination by avoiding using sponges on countertops.
