We often think of bacteria as harmful invaders, right? This belief is fueled by constant advertisements portraying bacterial infections as a serious threat to our health.
But here’s the truth: most bacteria are either harmless or even beneficial to us. In fact, the human body hosts more bacterial cells than human cells—around 39 trillion bacteria compared to 30 trillion human cells. Amazingly, 90% of bacteria are either neutral or helpful.
Only about 10% of bacteria are pathogenic or harmful, potentially causing bacterial diseases such as skin infections, urinary tract infections, or even more serious conditions caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and streptococcus pneumoniae.
The Role of Beneficial Bacteria in Human Health
Inside our digestive system, helpful bacteria play a critical role in keeping us healthy. These gut flora aid digestion, fight harmful bacteria, and prevent infections.
Without them, our immune system would struggle to combat bacterial pathogens and other threats. These bacterial species in our gut contribute to the balance in our body by producing enzymes and vitamins essential to our survival.
Protecting Your Water from Harmful Bacteria
Some bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant bacteria, can contaminate water supplies, leading to dangerous bacterial infections. Even chlorinated water may not fully eliminate these bacterial pathogens, and certain gram-negative bacteria or gram-positive bacteria might still find their way into your home.
This is why an AquaBliss shower filter is essential. AquaBliss filters help reduce harmful bacteria before they reach your skin, potentially preventing skin infections and other health issues. These filters target bacterial cells, including resistant bacteria, ensuring your water is clean and safe for daily use.
How Bacteria Became Part of Us
Bacteria have been with us for millennia. In ancient times, our food and environment were teeming with unicellular microorganisms, including photosynthetic bacteria and other bacteria that aided in digestion and nutrient absorption.
As humans evolved, we formed symbiotic relationships with certain bacteria, including those living in the digestive tract and on our skin. These beneficial bacteria became essential for our human health.
The Old Friends and Hygiene Hypotheses
Human evolution led us to accommodate certain bacteria that enhance our health. This is referred to as the Old Friends Hypothesis. However, modern hygiene practices, such as excessive use of antibiotics and over-sanitizing, have reduced our exposure to beneficial bacteria.
The Hygiene Hypothesis suggests that this reduction may weaken our immune system, leading to an increase in conditions like autoimmune diseases, cancer, and bacterial infections.
A corresponding rise in antibiotic-resistant bacteria has become a major global concern. Combating antibiotic resistance requires a careful balance of eliminating harmful bacteria while preserving the helpful bacteria that our bodies rely on for protection.
How Do Bacteria Help Us?
Aside from keeping our digestive system healthy, bacteria are essential in the production of fermented foods such as cheese, chocolate, beer, and vinegar. Bacteria also help us digest food by breaking down complex molecules in ways our eukaryotic cells cannot.
They produce vital nutrients and protect us from dangerous bacterial species like Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.
The Bad Bacteria: What to Avoid
While most bacteria are beneficial, the 10% of harmful bacteria can cause significant health issues. These include gram-negative bacilli and gram-positive cocci, which can lead to illnesses like bacterial vaginosis, urinary tract infections, and bacterial infections caused by chlamydia trachomatis or bacillus anthracis.
If not treated, these bacterial pathogens can multiply through binary fission, producing two identical daughter cells, and spreading quickly. Using an AquaBliss shower filter equipped with KDF 55 ionizers can help eliminate harmful bacteria, including resistant bacteria, ensuring your water is safe for daily use.
AquaBliss filters are designed to reduce chlorine, heavy metals, and pathogenic bacteria from your water supply, offering a healthier showering experience by targeting bacterial cells that might otherwise slip through.
Conclusion: Make an Informed Choice
At AquaBliss, we believe in providing the science behind our products. Bacteria play an important role in our lives, but eliminating harmful bacteria from your water is essential for maintaining human health.
If your water contains chlorine and other contaminants, explore our high-quality AquaBliss shower filters. Our filters help remove antibiotic-resistant bacteria and ensure your water is free of harmful bacterial pathogens.
We're here to help answer any questions—contact us via our online form, and we’ll respond within 24 hours.
