There is both good news and bad news, according to the experts, if you have acquired a habit of drinking bubbly water…
It is impossible to dispute that sparkling water is now making a splash. According to the findings of one research, the market for this carbonated beverage is expected to reach an astounding $67.6 billion by the year 2030.
Seltzer and soda water are two beverages that I enjoy drinking quite a bit. The way the bubbles tickle my brain is one of my favorite things about them, and the flavored possibilities, particularly my favorite Passionfruit LaCroix, assisted me in breaking my previous habit of drinking sugary soda.
However, there are occasions when I question whether or not sparkling water is indeed just as hydrating and nutritious as still water. I sought out to three professionals who provided me with answers to all of my queries regarding bubbling water in order to get to the bottom of the situation.
There are two types of information on the impact that sparkling water has on your body: the first is positive, and the second is negative.
Read Also:Dentists Are Revealing The Biggest Mistakes People Make With Their Dental Hygiene, And You’re Probably Guilty Of These
Read Also:7 Effective Tips to Add More Protein to Your Diet
Read Also:Living a Sedentary Lifestyle? 8 Signs You Need to Exercise More
Is sparkling water as hydrating as regular water?
To start with the good news, I interviewed Ronald Maughan. Maughan is a professor at the St. Andrews University School of Medicine in Scotland and one of the authors of a 2016 study that compared the hydrating effects of various beverages.
According to Maughan, the carbonation that is present in sparkling water has a less significant impact on the water’s ability to hydrate when compared to water that is not carbonated. “Most sparkling water is only lightly carbonated, and much of the CO2 disappears on pouring drinks and on letting them stand.”
Moreover, he elucidated the method by which the water that we consume is digested within our bodies. He claims that the contents of the gastrointestinal tract, which extends from the mouth to the anus, are technically deemed to be outside the body until the small intestine absorbs them. This is because the gastrointestinal system is located from the mouth to the anus.
It is possible, according to him, that sparkling water may reach the small intestine a little bit faster than flat water under some circumstances. “Drinks that are highly carbonated may slightly increase the rate at which the drink is emptied from the stomach into the small intestine,” according to Maughan, “which is where most of the water absorption takes place.”
An extra-bubbly seltzer contains carbon dioxide, which allows the stomach to feel fuller than it actually is. This, in turn, enables the stomach to empty into the small intestine a little bit more quickly. “The effect is small, though.” Therefore, if you want to stay hydrated, there is absolutely no problem with drinking a little bit of seltzer.
Minerals like salt and magnesium are found in trace levels in several famous bubbly waters, such as Topo Chico, for example. Other minerals include magnesium and sodium. These minerals are known to improve hydration when consumed in higher quantities, such as in sports drinks and rehydration liquids.
What says Maughan…?
However, according to Maughan, “The salt content of most commercial mineral waters is too small to have much of an effect.” However, if you are trying to limit the amount of salt you consume, you might want to have a look at the nutritional information.
In addition, Maughan dispelled several widespread misunderstandings regarding other beverages that are frequently referred to as being dehydrating. In most cases, the amount of caffeine that may be found in beverages like coffee and tea is not sufficient to cause dehydration, as stated by Maughan. “The exception might be very strong coffees that are drunk in small volumes.” Additionally, he suggests that if you are concerned about dehydration, you should steer clear of strong alcoholic beverages. However, he suggests that low-strength beer or beer blended with lemonade can be an excellent rehydration drink.
Additionally, you should not disregard the amount of water that is included in the meals you consume. It has been said by Maughan that a pound of tomatoes has a greater quantity of water than a pound of soda does. We will never have to drink any water at all if we are careful about the foods that we select to consume.
Is sparkling water as healthy as regular water?
When it comes to nutrition, sparkling water is also quite beneficial. This is a positive development. Jennifer Baum, a registered dietitian nutritionist and one of the hosts of the podcast Nutrition for Mortals, was the person I contacted to get more information. For those who aren’t very fond of drinking plain water, Baum suggests that sparkling water is a wonderful and nutritious beverage option to consider.
“Sparkling water can also just be a nice change from regular water too,” Baum said in his presentation. “Most of us enjoy variety, and I think that applies to the beverages we drink.” “Grapefruit Spindrift all the way!” she exclaims, indicating that she is also a fan of the bubbly thing.
According to Baum, if you have ever been so fortunate as to have nothing to drink except soda water for the entirety of the day, it will not have any impact on your nutrition. “I’d rather have people hydrating themselves with beverages they enjoy than potentially not drinking enough during the day.”
Baum would advise against consuming carbonated drinks
That being said, there are some instances in which Baum would recommend avoiding the use of carbonated beverages. One or more individuals may discover that they bring on symptoms such as acid reflux, gas, and/or bloating. “If this is the case, for comfort, they may feel more comfortable limiting their intake,” according to the researcher Baum. Additionally, she mentions that carbonation might be a source of irritation for individuals who have recently undergone bariatric surgery.
In addition, those who have diabetes should make sure to carefully examine the nutritional information that is printed on flavored sparkling waters, particularly those that contain juice, in order to guarantee that they are not ingesting an excessive amount of sugar. However, she makes the point that “Some sparkling waters may use artificial sweeteners for flavor, though many artificial sweeteners, like Truvia and stevia, are plant-derived.”
FDA defines these as any flavorings derived from
Baum says that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) defines “natural flavors” as any flavorings that are sourced from plant or animal sources. If you have ever wondered what precisely is contained in the “natural flavors” that are described on your LaCroix can, please read on.
“The tricky thing with the term ‘natural flavors’ is that regulations are pretty broad on what can be considered a ‘natural flavor,'” explains Baum in his presentation. “And unlike food manufacturers, flavor manufacturers don’t have to list their ingredients on a food label unless it contains one of the top allergens.”
If you are interested in learning more about the “natural flavors” of the brand that you choose, investigating their website may provide you with the information you need to satisfy your curiosity. LaCroix, which is my personal favorite, gets its tastes from the oils that are contained in the fruits from which it is made.
You may have heard that drinking sparkling water might cause your bones to become more fragile, but this is a misconception. According to the findings of a research conducted in 2006, soda’s high phosphorus level can have a detrimental effect on bone density. Due to the absence of phosphorus in soda water and seltzer, drinking a glass of bubbly in the afternoon will not have any negative impact on your bone health.
Does sparkling water damage your teeth?
Unfortunately, when it comes to your luxury bones, also known as your teeth, the dentist, Dr. Cerisa Moncayo, unfortunately had to break my bubble. The carbon dioxide in your mouth undergoes a chemical process that results in the production of carbonic acid when you consume sparkling water. Moreover, acid erodes the enamel of teeth.
“Enamel is our tooth’s outermost, protective structure,” according to Moncayo. “When tooth enamel is compromised, it leads to a host of dental issues, like tooth decay (cavities), weakened teeth, or sensitivity.”
Despite the fact that sparkling water is far less acidic than sugary drinks, it is still more acidic than regular water, which might be detrimental to the health of our teeth. The pH of our oral cavity is lowered by carbonic acid, as well as by anything else that is acidic. When this happens, it’s as if our mouth turns into a cup of acid, gradually removing our enamel on a tiny level.
Additionally, Moncayo makes the observation that the “natural flavors” that Baum mentioned might occasionally cause an increase in the acidity level of sparkling water. “Flavors in seltzer water fall under a huge umbrella of ‘other’ ingredients which are not well regulated, and can (and do!) certainly contribute to an acid attack on our enamel.”
According to Moncayo, if you are concerned about the health of your teeth, one place to begin is by reducing the amount of carbonation and sparkling water you consume. However, you do not have to fully give up your habit of drinking seltzer.
0 Comments