Florida's popular 'Fountain of Youth' has a secret ingredient - it could kill you

A local water fountain dubbed 'Fountain of Youth' in Florida is hiding a potentially deadly secret: radium levels that are double what is safe to drink.

Nestled in the heart of Punta Gorda, a sleepy beach town two hours south of Tampa, sits an unassuming drinking fountain that's become a local legend.

Residents were quick to crown it the 'Fountain of Youth' - the mythical font sought by Conquistador Ponce de Leon that was rumored to de-age its drinkers.

Today the fountain is swarmed by visitors hoping to retain their youthfulness - but beware, this 'magical' well water is radioactive.

Alarming tests conducted in the 1980s revealed it contains a whopping 9 picocuries of radium - double the federal safety limit, as reported by Click Orlando.

The 'Fountain of Youth' is a hidden gem that's kept Florida locals feeling young and vibrant for years - but it may be hiding a potentially deadly secret

But beware before you take a sip - this water is radioactive

But that hasn't stopped thrill-seeking tourists and die-hard locals from lining up for a taste of this supposedly age-defying fountain.

Health officials have reportedly tried to shut down the fountain in the past but faced fierce backlash from the community.

Now, a stark warning sign stands as the only barrier between visitors and potential danger: 'Use water at your own risk.' 

'The water from this well exceeds the maximum contaminate levels of radioactivity as determined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) under the Safe Drinking Water Act.' 

Nestled in the heart of Punta Gorda, a sleepy beach town two hours south of Tampa, sits an unassuming drinking fountain that's become a local legend

It's been dubbed the 'Fountain of Youth' by locals with reports throughout history of those who claim that the fountain has retained their youthfulness. Today, lines form around it of those desperate to get a drop of the magical water.

Alarming tests conducted in the 1980s revealed the well water contains a whopping 9 picocuries of radium - double the federal safety limit

Today, lines form around it of those desperate to get a drop of the magical water

But US Geological Survey researcher Zoltan Szabo told NPR: ''Well, that sign may be scary, but it seems a little bit of radioactivity might not be all bad.'

'If that was your drinking water, and that was the only source of water you had, and you drank it for 70 years — even then, you'd only have the one in 20,000 risk,' he said in 2013. 

Surprisingly, however, the water might even have some health benefits.

NPR reports it could contain magnesium sulfate, known to lower cardiovascular risks and improve respiratory health.

However, taking a sip comes with another catch - the putrid smell.

The idea of a 'Fountain of Youth,' sough by Ponce de Leon, has been the subject of countless tales throughout history, dating back to the 5th century BC

The mythical spring allegedly reverses the aging of anyone who drinks or bathes in its waters

News 6 described the stench as 'sulfur and mildew' - hardly the fragrance of eternal youth.

But despite the risks, this radioactive relic remains open to the public.

The idea of a 'Fountain of Youth' has been the subject of countless tales throughout history, dating back to the 5th century BC.

The mythical spring is said to reverse the aging of anyone who drinks or bathes in its waters. 

It has appeared in the writings of Herodotus 5th century BC, in the Alexander romance of the 3rd century AD and in the stories of Prester John of the early Crusades, 11th/12th centuries AD.