Are there any of you who say, “Every time I travel to Asian countries, I get diarrhea from food poisoning, and since coming to Vietnam, diarrhea has been continuing?” Of course, the risk of food poisoning is higher in countries with unstable water and sewage systems and poor sanitation, but if you get food poisoning every time you go, it means you’re either extremely unlucky or someone is poisoning you every time…
Just kidding, but the diarrhea may not actually be food poisoning, but rather your eating and drinking habits at your destination.
Diarrhea can be caused by excessive spices, unrefined or old oils, and other factors unique to Asia, but a surprisingly common blind spot is mineral water.
As you may know, in developing countries, structural problems with the water supply and sewage systems can cause bacteria and parasites to be present in tap water, so it is recommended that you either thoroughly boil tap water or use mineral water for drinking.
Mineral water comes in two types: the soft water we are accustomed to drinking, and hard water, which contains a high mineral content. If you continue to drink hard water while traveling without realizing it, the minerals will increase the osmotic pressure in your stool, causing water loss, which can lead to diarrhea similar to that caused by taking a laxative.
If you get diarrhea every time you travel or go on a business trip, you might want to try drinking soft mineral water or filtered tap water, which is similar to the water you normally drink.
