We crave a non-threatening thrill. The tongue perceives lightly sparkling beverages as pleasurable; the gentle bubbles allow the natural flavours of the drink to come to life for us to savour and produce a cooling, refreshing feeling.
At Soda Sense, we find the main reason that people love sparkling water is because of the fizzy bubbles! There's just something about that satisfying fizz that makes sparkling water so much more refreshing than plain water.
In general, both dietitians say that drinking sparkling water every day is not going to negatively affect the body—as long as you keep it in moderation.
“All of that being said, [seltzer] is safe to consume in appropriate volumes — keep it to once a day with meals, at a maximum, and be sure to wash everything down with standard water.”
Consuming any type of water, flat or sparkling, boosts your body's hydration levels. "[It] might even improve digestion and constipation more than tap water, according to a study published in the European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology," the expert adds.
Drinking water is good for you — that's not news. But alternative waters (think sparkling water or seltzer) are detox drinks that can enrich the consumer experience. Sparkling water typically derives from sources like springs or wells that provide natural carbonation and minerals for a uniquely refreshing taste.
Whatever type of water you drink can only benefit your kidneys and overall health. Carbonated water is as effective at keeping you hydrated, refreshed, and kidney-happy as ordinary tap water as long as it doesn't contain potassium or phosphorous additives.
The addition of carbon dioxide to water creates carbonic acid. In the short term, seltzer water's carbonation and acidic pH could lead to gas, bloating and acid reflux. In the long term, drinking too much seltzer water may also cause dental erosion.
Nutritionists agree that carbonated water (a category that includes seltzer water, which is artificially carbonated, and naturally sparkling water) is just as hydrating as regular water, however tap water has the added benefit of fluoride, which helps prevent tooth decay.
Sparkling water is used for its benefits which include improving digestion, helping with weight management, and assisting with swallowing ability. On the harmful side, sparkling water can cause gas and bloating and if taken in excess it may instigate tooth decay.
Lose Weight
Additionally, research indicates that carbonate water forces food to remain in your stomach for longer, thereby helping you feel fuller. The fuller you feel, the less you'll feel the need to eat. Thus, carbonated waters serve as “empty calories” that will reduce your desire to eat.
Sparkling water seems to be as healthy as regular water
Interestingly, sparkling water might actually benefit your health, since several studies suggest that it may: Reduce the feeling of needing to persistently clear your throat. Help you feel full for a longer period of time after meals.
With sparkling water you're still exposing your teeth to acid, you've just eliminated the “middle men” of sugar and bacteria. Carbonated water contains carbonic acid, which like any acid is a threat to your teeth. Unflavored sparkling water has a pH of about 5, compared to regular tap water which has a pH of about 7.
Carbonated water improved both dyspepsia and constipation compared to tap water. “Drink more water” is a common recommendation for constipation, but researchers didn't observe a clear benefit of the added tap water.
How does carbonated water affect your body? Primarily, carbonated water simply hydrates your body just like regular water. However, carbonated beverages introduce bubbles to your stomach that can make you burp. Some people find that the effect of the bubbles in the stomach aides in relieving stomach aches.
Drinking sparkling water helps you feel full
Those tiny carbonated bubbles fill your stomach and convince your brain that you feel more full. This in turn means that you need to eat less before feeling satisfied, which can be a great way to avoid extra unnecessary calories.
Since it improves digestion and metabolism, the intake of this water improves the metabolic rate, which further leads to fat loss. So, if you are planning to switch to carbonated water make sure you check the labels carefully and opt for no sugar, no salt and flavourless Sparkling water.
Moreover, carbonation as a chemical sensation has also been used to induce behavioral changes. Earlier evidence showed that carbonation may increase the somatosensory perception by adding chemesthetic stimulation to the flavor/texture experience during water swallowing (8).
Both soda water and sparkling water are made by infusing still spring water with carbon dioxide under pressure, creating the fizz. However, soda water is further infused with bicarbonate of soda to help the drink hold its bubbles when spirits are added. This means soda is slightly fizzier than sparkling.
Club soda is similar to sparkling water because it also has some minerals. However, the biggest difference between the two is that manufacturers add carbonation and minerals after the fact. They don't occur naturally in club soda like they do in sparkling water.
It Relieves Upset Stomach
Some sodas and sparkling water can help relieve stomach problems, such as nausea and indigestion. In a study conducted on people who drank carbonated water and regular water, it was found that those who drank carbonated water experienced reduced indigestion.
"Drinking carbonated water at night can cause bloating and exacerbate heartburn symptoms, especially while laying flat during sleep," says Dr.
Even for healthy individuals with no digestive problems, there is such a thing as too much sparkling water. "If you feel bloated, are constantly belching or have reflux, stop drinking carbonated water until symptoms disappear," McCutchen says.