Dietitians break down exactly what happens to your body when you drink sparkling water
Many of us are aware of the dangers that frequently consuming high-sugar sodas and alcohol can pose, but exactly what happens to our bodies when we sup on sparkling water? Dieticians have weighed in, and their answers may surprise you.
It may or may not surprise you to hear that the sparkling water industry is booming, with Fortune Business Insights predicting its value will grow from $53.62 billion in 2026 to a whopping $136.58 billion by the time 2034 arrives.
This year alone, we’ve seen Crawston Press announce a move into the sector, Bubbly launch limited-edition flavours and packaging tied to the Super Mario Galaxy Movie, and Liquid Death entering into a new partnership with Los Angeles Football Club.
Unfortunately, loyal customers of The Coca-Cola Company will have to choose one of the aforementioned beverages, as Topo Chico production has been temporarily paused for facility upgrades.
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But if those aren’t your style, then there’s also LaCroix, Perrier, Voss, San Pellegrino, and so many other bubbly beverages to choose from.
If you’re someone who reaches for a sparkling water every day, then you may want to know what kind of impact the drink is having on your health.
It turns out that there are some serious health benefits, such as improved blood flow to the brain and hydration, as well as negatives, including possible enamel erosion.
Benefits of drinking sparkling water every day
Sparkling water, which is simply water infused with carbon dioxide, contains naturally occurring or added minerals.
These include, but are not limited to: calcium, magnesium, and potassium sulfate, explained Jessica Clancy-Strawn, a registered dietitian based in Houston, Texas.
These minerals can help build and maintain strong bones, reduce muscle cramps, and possibly lower blood pressure.
However, Adiana Castro, a metabolic dietitian and owner of Compass Nutrition in New York City, told Real Simple that drinking these minerals would not replace food intake due to the amounts being minimal.
Other benefits include hydration, increasing feelings of fullness compared to tap water, containing zero calories and sugar, and possibly helping to ease an upset stomach.
Meanwhile, Laura Hershey, a Los Angeles-based dietitian, told the publication that she’s ‘happy’ for people who don’t drink too much water to consume sparkling water every day.
She reasoned that this is because they are working towards meeting their daily fluid needs by consuming the fizzy beverage.
Americans are advised to drink between 2.7 and 3.7 litres of water every day, as per the Mayo Clinic.
This can be achieved by drinking still and sparkling water, as well as unsweetened coffee and tea, fruit juice, and milk.
Dieticians also said that you may experience improved sleep, better blood glucose control, and more stable appetite patterns when you swap out alcohol for sparkling water.
A previous study has suggested that there may be some brain health benefits, including increased blood pressure and blood flow to the brain when it's warm out.
The paper, published in Physiology & Behavior, also stated that guzzling the liquid may improve mood states in resting humans exposed to ambient heat stress.
Negatives of drinking sparkling water every day
Unfortunately, there appear to be some downsides to drinking sparkling water every day.
The first is that the carbonation can ‘irritate those with sensitive digestive systems, and may promote bloating, gas, and/or worsening acid reflux’, as per Castro.
This can lead to potential Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) flare-ups.
“The bottom line: if you have stomach issues and experience flare-ups after drinking carbonated water, you may be better off eliminating them,” experts at MedicalNewsToday stated.
It’s also understood that while plain carbonated water won’t cause tooth decay, drinks with added citric acid or sugar may.
A 2009 study, published in the Journal of Zhejiang University, suggested that if drinks contain acids and sugars, then they may cause erosion of the enamel.
Moreover, they may have acidogenic and carcinogenic potential and can cause erosion of the enamel.
Hershey recomends drinking your tipple through a straw or rinsing your mouth out with plain water after consuming to help protect your teeth.
Ella Scott