The deaths of three US presidents may be related to water.

Three U.S. presidents—William Henry Harrison, James K. Polk, and Zachary Taylor—all died under suspicious circumstances, linked to the drinking water at the White House.

The three US presidents, from left to right, are William Henry Harrison, James K. Polk, and Zachary Taylor. Photo: Wikipedia.

The three U.S. presidents elected in the 1840s—William Henry Harrison, James K. Polk, and Zachary Taylor—all died either in office or shortly after leaving office. Harrison died 32 days after being elected president, the shortest term in U.S. history.

Modern forensic analysis has uncovered a link in the suspicious deaths of these presidents. According to Business Insider, the cause may be the drinking water at the White House.

All three presidents died from common illnesses: Harrison died of pneumonia, and Polk and Taylor died from symptoms related to gastroenteritis. However, new analysis of Harrison's death points to a different cause.

The re-examination of the doctor's report on Harrison's death revealed inconsistencies. Although Harrison had symptoms of pneumonia, including fever and shortness of breath, the illness that ultimately weakened him was gastroenteritis.

In fact, the doctor writing the report expressed doubts about his initial diagnosis. If that were true, it would indicate that all presidents living in the White House at that time died from complications from stomach bacteria.

In the 1840s, urban sanitation was largely neglected, and Washington D.C. was no exception. Researchers examined historical records to determine exactly where the White House obtained its drinking water during that period. They concluded that the water came from a stream downstream of a sewage drain seven blocks away. In other words, the drinking water for those living in the White House was not clean.

Sewage drains are breeding grounds for salmonella bacteria, which cause gastrointestinal illnesses. It's possible that unsanitary sewage disposal practices have shortened the lifespans and terms of office of some presidents.

This situation persisted until the latter half of the 19th century, when a period of awakening regarding hygiene began. Cities in Europe and America started associating uncleanliness with disease, leading to improvements in sanitation systems.

According to VNE