"Siobhan Perricone" > wrote in message
...
> On Tue, 07 Mar 2006 03:36:59 GMT, "Doug Kanter"
> >
> wrote:
>
>>Unless the water you switch to is contaminated with bacteria, it makes no
>>sense for your body to react in odd ways. I'd like to see your theory
>>tested
>>in a scientifically rigorous way.
>
> "Traveler's Syndrome" is not just a story. It's plenty documented and
> tested. When you travel further from your home, you get exposed to
> bacteria and spoors that are different from those in your local area. The
> most common outcome of this is digestive upset. No water from anywhere is
> completely sterile or devoid of local bacteria unless you're drinking
> distilled water. This is completely normal and not something to be
> paranoid about.
>
> But when you go to a place that's unfamiliar with strange bacteria your
> body might react badly to it until it adjusts. It doesn't happen to
> everyone, and it can impact people to differing degrees. So bringing
> bottled water that your body is adjusted to isn't completely unreasonable.

How much bottled water can you bring? That's got to limit the length of your
travel, unless you don't drink enough water. And, since no water is sterile
(except distilled), bottled water would have the same problems, right? (I
haven't noticed if some brands are pasteurized).