If you frequent dive bar happy hours, then you know it takes a lot of lemons and limes to make a $5 well cocktail drinkable. As it turns out, those citrusy wedges might be contaminating your beverage with all kinds of bacteria you never knew existed.
According to a study published in the Journal of Environmental Health, researchers found nearly 70 percent of lemon slices sampled from 21 different restaurants had some degree of microbial growth. The researchers found that all of the microbes discovered on the lemon slices had “the potential to cause infectious diseases at various body sites.”
But that study was published in 2007, which makes it pretty dated in the rapidly changing restaurant industry. Which is why ELLE reached out to author and clinical microbiology professor Philip Tierno, PhD, in an effort to get to the bottom of this dirty lemon mystery. Tierno told ELLE that in every case he’s tested citrus wedges for microbial growth, he and his team have “always comes up with evidence of contamination from the skin, respiratory secretions, and fecal matter.” Gross.
Though the issue goes far beyond unsettling your stomach. According to Tierno, pathogens such as E. coli, enterococcus, staphylococcus, and the norovirus have been found on citrus skins. So, how do these potentially fatal germs get on our fruits and ultimately in our drinks?
Tierno explains it to ELLE this way:
“People are touching the lemon in your glass, handling it, cutting it, placing it in a container or a cup, or a glass; and then picking up those slices at a later point in time and dropping them into a drink and putting them on the rim of a glass. You can easily see how those lemon slices and lemon wedges can be contaminated.”
Throw bad or non-existent hand-washing practices into the mix and you’ve got a cesspool of bacteria just waiting to flavor your gin and tonic. Think about it, how often do you really wash your citrus fruits before eating or juicing them at home? According to the FDA, this is a big mistake as you’re not only increasing your chances of getting a food-borne illness, but ingesting pesticides as well.
That being said, Tierno doesn’t necessarily suggest you do away with citrusy garnishes altogether. “Pay attention,” he says, and take note whether your bartender uses a clean cloth or a filthy rag to wipe your glass—that’s a dead giveaway cleanliness isn’t his or her top priority.
And if you’re a real germaphobe, you always have the option of mixing yourself a margarita with freshly washed, organic lemons and limes at home. Then again, sometimes it’s exhilarating to live on the wild side.
Say goodbye or make amends.Image via Canva - Photo by Inna Postnikova
Friends recording on a camcorder.Image via Canva - Photo by capturenow
This is an AI-generated image using the language "A beautiful woman with long eyelashes and red lips surrounded by swirls of colorful makeup." AI/Canva/Elyssa Goodman 
Wiman hiding her face behind a bunch of cashCanva
A mansion and its reflection in the swimming poolCanva
Salzburg at nightCanva
Fancy homeCanva
Happy volunteersCanva
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.