Is sparkling water good for health | Carbonated water

Sparkling water popularity

This is article is about “is sparkling water good for health ?”

In some countries , carbonated (sparkling) water is one of the most popular thirst quenchers. 

This is hardly surprising as it has no calories, is refreshing, and can be found cheaply almost anywhere. 

However, some people feel uncomfortable about drinking sparkling water after hearing that carbonated water is said to be unhealthy. 

In fact, there are countless sayings surrounding the rumor that carbonated water is unhealthy. 

This includes, among other things, that the carbonated drink is bad for the teeth or even supposed to make you fat. We put the 6 biggest myths to the test. 

First of all, to reassure you: There are no scientific studies that prove that the consumption of carbon dioxide is unhealthy.

6 MYTHS ABOUT WATER WITH CARBONIC ACID

1. SPARKLING WATER HAS MORE CALORIES THAN STILL WATER

Not true . On the contrary, because the water you drink contributes to the feeling of satiety. Whether carbonated or not, pure water has no calories and can therefore be drunk without hesitation without making you fat. Both still water and sparkling water: Both variants are equally suitable for a low-calorie diet, because they only differ in the enrichment of the water with the calorie-free carbon dioxide. This gas is responsible for the formation of the popular bubbles in the water and thus the pleasantly tingly feeling when drinking.

2. Sparkling water is bad for your teeth

Not true . There is sometimes a warning on the Internet that carbon dioxide should not be healthy because it attacks the tooth enamel, especially in babies and children. Behind this is the fear that carbon dioxide could damage the surface of the teeth. But there is no evidence of this with carbonated water. It is true that it temporarily lowers the pH of the saliva in the mouth. However, this varies constantly, especially during meals, and is naturally brought to the neutral level between 6.5 and 7.5. The short-term reduction of the pH value through sparkling water therefore has no negative consequences for the tooth enamel. 

This looks completely different with beverages such as juices and drinks, because the natural or added sugar they contain has a harmful effect on tooth enamel over time. Poor oral hygiene or caries bacteria, the appearance of which can be trigger too much sugar, have a comparable effect. Any dental problems are therefore not due to carbonated water. On the contrary, because the CO₂ stimulates the flow of saliva, which in turn has a supportive effect on the oral flora.

3. Carbonated water makes your belly fat

Not correct. Some people feel that drinking carbonated water makes their stomachs thick. In fact, the CO₂ can briefly lead to a certain pressure in the stomach area. But this is only temporary, because the gas escapes our body in a very natural way. 

In addition, consuming sparkling water during meals increases the feeling of satiety and thus helps reduce food intake. The feeling of fullness that sets in after extensive meals counteracts in a simple manner.

You can review to our article ► How to get a flat stomach without exercise

4. Carbonated water causes heartburn

This statement is not true. Many people suffer from heartburn. However, sparkling water is not responsible for this. The carbonated water leads to a tingling sensation in the esophagus and the belching known from heartburn can also occur after drinking several sips of sparkling water. 

However, this is not heartburn. It is a natural reaction for the gas to leak out. In contrast, heartburn is the pathological flow of acidic stomach contents back into the esophagus, whereby the stomach acid triggers the burning sensation. Anyone who has had similar experiences after drinking carbonated water should try sparkling water with a lower CO₂ content.

5. Carbon dioxide acidifies the body

Also wrong . This is a misinterpretation of the term “carbonic acid”. CO₂ is not an acid, but carbon dioxide, which dissolves in the water and responsible for the gas bubbles. 

However, the compound of water and carbon dioxide is extremely volatile, which you can easily tell by the stale taste if you leave water in the glass for some time. The carbon dioxide is broken down naturally in the gastrointestinal tract and is therefore completely harmless.

6. Sparkling water does not quench thirst

The opposite is the case. Carbonated water characterizes by a particularly thirst-quenching effect. This occurs even faster with sparkling water, as the carbon dioxide stimulates the taste buds in the mouth. 

So whether you prefer to drink still or sparkling water remains a choice that depends entirely on your personal taste and cannot be associated with negative health effects. Instead, it has many benefits, aids digestion and long-term quenching of thirst.

Carbonated water dispenser

So you can see that carbonated water is not harmful at all. If you like to drink sparkling water while saving costs and avoiding the annoying lugging of boxes, try using the carbonated water dispenser. 

These convert your still tap water into deliciously sparkling water at the touch of a button – cleaned and, if desired, also cooled. And by the way , you also reduce your ecological footprint , as no mineral water bottles have to produce and transport.