Sparkling water (carbonated water) is a refreshing and bubbly drink that many people are beginning to turn to as a hydrating alternative to soda while satisfying those fizzy cravings and increasing water intake. But this has brought about questions regarding its healthfulness.
Plain carbonated water without caffeine, added citric acid or sugar is generally not bad for your health, but there are some considerations such as the gas possibly leading to bloating, burping, and gas. Additionally, plain carbonated water is not known to significantly affect bone or dental health, and it does not cause IBS, according to research.
Potential positive effects
Carbonated water might have beneficial effects on inflammation, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels which has the potential to help reduce the risk of heart disease, and it might even help to boost digestion by improving swallowing ability and reducing constipation.
Plain carbonated water can help boost hydration, promote satiety, alleviate constipation, and help you break away from that soda kick.
When making your selection, try to stick with plain options and avoid any that contain sugars, caffeine, and artificial sweeteners which can cause stomach problems and are linked to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses.
Weight gain
Depending on personal preferences, some people will like it better than other people. While plain carbonated water is clearly a better choice than sugary beverages, a small study suggests that it may increase the hunger hormone ghrelin in men.
While plain carbonated water won’t contribute to weight gain, it is important to read the ingredient labels because they are not all created equal. Most carbonated water is just water infused with air; however, some bottled seltzers and flavor enhancers can contain sodium, natural and artificial acids, flavors, sweeteners, colors, and other additives which could contain hidden calories and extra sodium. The drink options with these types of additives have been shown to lead to weight gain over time as well as affect bone and dental health, so read those labels with care.
Different types of carbonated waters
It is important to know the difference between carbonated drinks and read the ingredient labels:
Mineral water: Mineral water is naturally carbonated water that comes from a spring or well and contains minerals such as calcium and magnesium.
Club soda: Club soda is fortified with minerals such as sodium bicarbonate and potassium sulfate and is artificially carbonated.
Seltzer: Plain seltzer is artificially carbonated water, but some varieties come with natural fruit flavors and sugar. Technically carbonated water and seltzer are differentiated by how they are carbonated. However, they are basically the same for general consumer needs.
Tonic water: Is artificially carbonated, and it contains added minerals, notably quinine, which gives it its distinctive bitter flavor. High-fructose corn syrup or sugar is often added as well. Quinine, which when consumed in excess can cause upset stomach, migraines, ringing in the ears, and other unpleasant effects.
Mix it up
If you are drinking plain carbonated water to have some variation from plain water and it is still not doing the trick, try experimenting with it by adding combinations of fresh fruits, herbs, cucumbers, and even a little dash of raw organic honey to change up the flavor profile.
As with anything you read on the internet, this article should not be construed as medical advice; please talk to your doctor or primary care provider before changing your wellness routine. WHN does not agree or disagree with any of the materials posted. This article is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement. Additionally, it is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
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References/Sources/Materials provided by:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17263857
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26607248
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21551998
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17023723
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15113945
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.orcp.2017.02.001
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/112/3/e184.full.pdf
