Carbonated (Sparkling) Water: Good or Bad?

Carbonated (Sparkling) Water: Good or Bad?

Summary

Carbonated water is water that has been infused with carbon dioxide gas under pressure. While some people believe that it may have negative effects on your dental, digestive, or bone health, it’s often considered a healthy way to stay hydrated. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the health effects of carbonated water.

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What is Carbonated Water?

Carbonated water is water that has been infused with carbon dioxide gas under pressure. Sodium and other minerals are often added to improve its taste. Natural sparkling mineral waters, such as Perrier and San Pellegrino, are captured from a mineral spring and tend to contain minerals and sulfur compounds. Tonic water is a form of carbonated water that contains a bitter compound called quinine, along with sugar or high-fructose corn syrup.

The pH of Carbonated Water

Carbonated water is slightly acidic, with a pH of 3-4. However, drinking an acidic beverage like carbonated water does not make your body more acidic. Your kidneys and lungs remove excess carbon dioxide, which keeps your blood at a slightly alkaline pH of 7.35-7.45 regardless of what you eat or drink.

Effect on Teeth

One of the biggest concerns about sparkling water is its effect on teeth. There is very little research on this topic, but one study found that sparkling mineral water damaged enamel only slightly more than still water. Furthermore, mineral water was 100 times less damaging than a sugary soft drink. Only sugary carbonated beverages can erode tooth enamel.

Benefits for Digestion

Carbonated water may benefit your digestive health in several ways. Studies suggest that sparkling water may improve swallowing ability, increase feelings of fullness, and reduce constipation.

• Can Improve Swallowing Ability: Sparkling water may improve swallowing ability in both young and older adults. In one study, 16 healthy people were asked to repeatedly swallow different liquids. Carbonated water showed the strongest ability to stimulate the nerves responsible for swallowing.
• May Increase Feelings of Fullness: Carbonated water may also extend feelings of fullness after meals to a greater extent than plain water. Sparkling water may help food remain in your stomach longer, which can trigger a greater sensation of fullness.
• May Help Relieve Constipation: People who experience constipation may find that drinking sparkling water helps relieve their symptoms. In a 2-week study in 40 older individuals who had experienced a stroke, average bowel movement frequency nearly doubled in the group that drank carbonated water, compared with the group that drank tap water.

Effect on Bone Health

Many people believe that carbonated beverages are bad for bones because of their high acid content. However, research suggests that the carbonation isn’t to blame. In fact, one study found that plain sparkling water appeared to have a neutral or positive effect on bone health.

Benefits for Heart Health

Research suggests that carbonated water may improve heart health, although the evidence is very limited. One study in 18 postmenopausal women showed that drinking sodium-rich carbonated water decreased LDL (bad) cholesterol, inflammatory markers, and blood sugar. They also experienced an increase in HDL (good) cholesterol.

Conclusion

Carbonated water is not bad for you. It’s not that harmful to dental health, and it seems to have no effect on bone health. It may even enhance digestion by improving swallowing ability and reducing constipation. There’s no reason to give up this beverage if you enjoy it. In fact, it may even improve your overall health.

FAQs

Q: Is carbonated water good for you?

A: Yes, carbonated water is generally considered a healthy way to stay hydrated.

Q: Is carbonated water bad for your teeth?

A: Only sugary carbonated beverages can erode tooth enamel.

Q: Can carbonated water improve digestion?

A: Yes, studies suggest that sparkling water may improve swallowing ability, increase feelings of fullness, and reduce constipation.

Q: Is carbonated water bad for bone health?

A: Research suggests that plain sparkling water appears to have a neutral or positive effect on bone health.

Q: Can carbonated water improve heart health?

A: Limited research suggests that carbonated water may improve heart health, although more studies are needed.