Is consuming sparkling water good for health?

Sparkling water is another name for carbonated water. It refreshes without sugars. Is it good for the body or bad?

Sparkling water

Sparkling water is the same as carbonated water. Its other names are soda, soda water, club soda, fizzy water, or seltzer water. It has carbon dioxide injected into it under pressure.

This provides a bubbly nature. It is a refreshing drink and better than sugary soft drinks. It has no sugars, no carbs, and no calories. There are no fats or protein or fiber or minerals or vitamins in it.

Ultimately it is just water with added carbon dioxide. Therefore, it has no nutrition. It can give the drinker a refreshing feeling. Some carbonated drinks have some salt for zing or minerals added to them.

This carbonated water is different from natural sparkling mineral water. The latter include Perrier and San Pellegrino.They are from a mineral spring and contain minerals including sulfur compounds naturally. These are mostly carbonated too.

There is another water called Tonic water. This has bitter quinine in it along with either sugar or high fructose-containing corn syrup.

But is it healthy to consume carbonated water? What complications, if any, it can cause?

Dentition and carbonated water

When carbon dioxide is added to water, it forms carbonic acid. This is a weak acid that stimulates the mustard nerve receptors in the mouth. Hence you get the prickly sensation that uncomforts you but you enjoy it as well.

And the pH of this water is around 3 to 4. Therefore, this water when it touches the teeth while drinking can harm them. It can erode the enamel.

Studies in this field are limited but one study did show a slight rise in enamel erosion with carbonated drinks. Mineral water does not damage much. Its damage is 100 times less than with the sugary soft drink.

Another study revealed that carbonated drinks can damage more if there is added sugar in them. The non-carbonated sugary drinks did more harm than carbonated non-sugary drinks.

Therefore, sugar is more damaging than carbonated drinks. If you enjoy carbonated soda, have it with meals or rinse your mouth with plain water after drinking it.

Carbonated water and gut, bone, and heart health

It improves swallowing especially if taken cold. An ice-cold carbonated drink can improve symptoms of clearing the throat. Combined with meals, it gives a feeling of fullness.

Sparkling water also gives relief from constipation. It decreases stomach aches. Digestion and gall bladder emptying are improved.

As regards bone density, cola reduces it. But carbonated water does not affect it. This may be due to the high phosphorus content in cola drinks.

Those who show a reduced density of bones with cola might also be deficient in calcium. Another study found better bone density in post-menopausal ladies on soda drinks.

Therefore, it can be summarized that water with carbon dioxide either provides a positive or no benefit to the bone. But it does not harm it.

Some limited studies have revealed that drinking soda can improve heart health, decrease inflammatory markers, and reduce LDL, and also blood sugar. The good cholesterol also improves.

Read more: Beetroot juice: benefits for heart, liver, gut, and skin!

Therefore, carbonated water is not bad. Have it in moderation when you desire it or with meals. It has more benefits than problems.