Sparkling Water Debunked

Sparkling water, or carbonated water, is regular water infused with carbon dioxide gas under pressure, creating a bubbly beverage. It’s often enjoyed for its effervescence and refreshing taste. Commonly referred to as soda water, club soda, fizzy water, or seltzer water, it comes in a variety of flavors. This fizzy drink has gained popularity due to its versatility, offering a delightful alternative to plain water or sugary beverages.

Is Sparkling Water bad for our body?

Sparkling waters are incredibly popular these days. They’re refreshing, tasteful, and you have a limitless choice of flavours. But is sparkling water bad for our body? Can I have it as a good relief for dehydration.?

At first, we need to know what is exactly sparkling water included.  Apart from seltzer water, sparkling waters usually have salt added to improve their taste. Sometimes small amounts of other minerals are also included.

Sparkling Water nutritional fact

• Calories: 13 KJ (3 Cal)
• Fat: less than 0.3 grams
• Protein: less than 0.3 grams
• Sugar: less than 0.3 grams
• Sodium: 10 -13 mg
• Potassium: less than 3 mg

Carbon dioxide and water react chemically to produce carbonic acid, a weak acid that’s been shown to stimulate the same nerve receptors in your mouth as mustard. This causes a burning and tingling sensation which can be irritating and pleasant at the same time. If you drink sparkling water too quickly, you may experience hiccups or indigestion. The pH of carbonated water is 3–4, which means it’s slightly acidic.

Is acidic beverage bad for our body?

When you have something like fizzy water, which is a bit acidic, it doesn’t make your body more acidic. Your body gets rid of the extra carbon dioxide from the fizzy drink through your kidneys, liver, and lungs. This helps keep your blood at a slightly alkaline pH level, usually between 7.35 and 7.45, no matter what you eat or drink. Our body’s got something called “acid-base homeostasis,” which means your kidneys, liver, and lungs team up to keep your insides balanced. So, there’s no need to worry!

Sparkling Water and digestion

Research suggests that carbonated water can improve the ability to swallow and Sparkling water can improve your digestive health  in different ways. Another study demonstrated that the combination of carbonation cold temperature heightened these beneficial effects.

• Sparkling water may increase feelings of fullness

Studies show that sparkling water can help food stay longer in your stomach., that can probably trigger a greater sense of fullness. A few small studies have been carried out on the subject. However, more extensive studies are required to confirm these findings. I advise you not to drink sparkling water to fill your stomach. This may lead to unhealthy habits; just drinking sparkling water for hydration purposes and enjoyment of taste.

• Sparkling water may help relieve constipation symptoms

I strongly recommend using fibre in food as a strategy instead of drinking fizzy water, but there have been a handful of studies on people suffering from constipation finding that drinking carbonated water helped alleviate their symptoms. There’s also some evidence that sparkling water may improve other symptoms of indigestion, including a mild upset stomach.

Sparkling Water and bone health

Due to their high acid content, many people think that carbonated beverages are dangerous for bone health. Carbonation, however, does not appear to be the cause, according to study. Cola was the only beverage associated with significantly reduced bone mineral density, according to a large observational study involving over 2,500 people. Bone health appears to be unaffected by carbonated water.

Unlike sparkling water, cola drinks contain a lot of phosphorus. Our bodies need phosphorus, along with vitamin D and calcium, to keep our bones strong and healthy. But to do this, our body has to keep the levels of phosphorus, vitamin D, and calcium in balance. If there’s too much phosphorus in our blood, our body tries to fix it by taking calcium from our bones. This can weaken our bones over time.

Another study discovered that, this might be the reason why teenagers who drank carbonated drinks were found to have lower bone mineral density. This is credited to beverages that replacing milk in their meal plan, resulting in calcium deficiency.

Sparkling Water and dental health

When you drink sparkling water, the acid in it can touch your teeth right away. This can be really bad for your teeth. A study showed that sparkling water might hurt the outside of your teeth just a tiny bit more than regular water. But mineral water is way better for your teeth than sugary drinks like soda. Another study found that fizzy drinks could be risky for your teeth, especially if they’re packed with sugar.

If you’re worried about your teeth, it’s a good idea to talk to your dentist for help and advice! They’re the experts who can give you the best guidance.

To summaries, there is no proof that carbonated or sparkling water is harmful to your health, and there is no reason to stop drinking it if you prefer it! Sparkling water offers variation to a bland diet and can help you meet your hydration goals! But always remember, eat and drink in moderation.

 

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