Does Boiling Water Kill H. pylori?
The provided evidence does not directly address whether boiling water kills H. pylori bacteria. However, based on general microbiological principles and the evidence regarding waterborne pathogens, boiling water at 100°C (212°F) for 1 minute would be expected to kill H. pylori, as this temperature exceeds the thermal tolerance of most vegetative bacteria.
What the Evidence Actually Shows
The available guidelines focus on other waterborne pathogens, not H. pylori specifically:
Boiling water for 1 minute eliminates the risk of cryptosporidiosis, a parasitic infection caused by Cryptosporidium oocysts, which are notably heat-resistant 1.
CDC guidelines recommend bringing water to a rolling boil for >1 minute to disinfect water during municipal water advisories, which addresses multiple waterborne pathogens 1.
High-temperature water decontamination at 160°F-170°F (71°C-77°C) for >5 minutes is used in healthcare facilities to eliminate waterborne bacteria including Legionella 1.
H. pylori Transmission Context
H. pylori transmission likely occurs person-to-person through oral-oral or fecal-oral routes, with waterborne transmission being a possible source, especially in areas with untreated water 2.
Contaminated well water has been linked to clinical H. pylori infection in the United States, suggesting water can serve as a transmission vehicle 2.
Poor sanitation and contaminated water sources increase H. pylori infection risk, particularly in developing countries 3.
Clinical Reasoning
Since boiling water kills Cryptosporidium oocysts (which are among the most heat-resistant waterborne pathogens) and eliminates risk during water contamination events 1, it would logically also kill H. pylori bacteria, which are less heat-resistant than parasitic cysts. H. pylori is a gram-negative bacterium that typically survives in the acidic gastric environment but has no special heat resistance 4, 5.
Practical Recommendation
If concerned about H. pylori contamination in water, boiling water for 1 minute at a rolling boil would be expected to eliminate viable H. pylori bacteria, following the same principle used for other waterborne pathogens 1. This is particularly relevant in areas with poor sanitation or when drinking from potentially contaminated water sources like wells 2, 3.