# Soft Drink Backwash-Fact or Fiction?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drink-backwash-fact-or-fiction/25253>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 12, 2000, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drink-backwash-fact-or-fiction/25253 "2000-07-12T00:22:16Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![gapcity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e9bcb4/32.png) [@gapcity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gapcity)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2000, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drink-backwash-fact-or-fiction/25253/1 "2000-07-12T00:22:16Z")

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When I was young and Coke used to come in 16 oz. returnable bottles, I remember my brothers and sisters cautioning me not to drink the last gulp in the bottle because it was something like 100% backwash. I dunno, it always looked and tasted like cola to me, but I can’t help but wondering if I was subjecting myself to icky gooey yucky germs. Is there any truth to this or was I just the subject of a cruel family joke? Has anyone ever scientifically figured what percentage of the last slug of coke is (gack) saliva?

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**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2000, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drink-backwash-fact-or-fiction/25253/2 "2000-07-12T01:02:13Z")

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Well, they would be YOUR germs, wouldn’t they?

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**Author:** ![Wood\_Thrush](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b38774/32.png) [@Wood\_Thrush](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wood_Thrush)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2000, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drink-backwash-fact-or-fiction/25253/3 "2000-07-12T01:20:21Z")

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Good God, where do you think all the sliva you produce goes? Most of it goes right down your throat into your tummy anyway. Have you eaten pretzels? Guess what makes them soft enough to swallow. That’s right. Saliva.

Yes, it does contain saliva. No, there is no “scientific” reason you shouldn’t drink it.

Why don’t you kill all germs in and on your body? See how long you live.

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**Author:** ![Wood\_Thrush](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b38774/32.png) [@Wood\_Thrush](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wood_Thrush)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2000, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soft-drink-backwash-fact-or-fiction/25253/4 "2000-07-12T01:23:58Z")

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Oh, and welcome to the boards, **gapcity**.