I drink a whole lot of unsweetened seltzer. Does which have the identical well being advantages as ingesting common water?
There’s nonetheless water after which there’s what my 4-year-old calls “spicy water,” higher often known as seltzer or glowing water. Crisp, bubbly and effervescent, carbonated water has turn out to be a day by day ritual for a lot of and a rising phase of the beverage trade, with yearly gross sales now topping $4 billion in the US.
For individuals who crave it, carbonated water gives a sensory expertise that flat water can’t: There’s the satisfying snap as you pull again the tab on the can. The sound of the fizz as you unscrew the bottle cap to pour your self a glass. The tingly sensation because the beverage hits your tongue, typically with a touch of “pure” taste.
Nonetheless water is nice for hydration, “however you’ll be shocked on the quantity of people that don’t just like the style and are unwilling to drink it,” mentioned Anne Linge, a registered dietitian-nutritionist on the College of Washington Medical Middle in Seattle. “Including carbonation might make it extra acceptable.”
Extra acceptable, maybe, but in addition simply as wholesome?
Nutritionists agree that carbonated water (a class that features seltzer water, which is artificially carbonated, and naturally glowing water) is simply as hydrating as common water, nevertheless faucet water has the additional benefit of fluoride, which helps forestall tooth decay.
“In case you are utilizing fluoridated water for brushing your tooth, cooking and a few of your hydration, you may also embrace glowing water in your weight-reduction plan,” Ms. Linge mentioned.
However take into account that carbonated water is extra acidic in our mouths than flat water.
Bubbly water comprises carbon dioxide, which is transformed to carbonic acid when it mingles with saliva, decreasing the pH degree of your mouth. The pH scale signifies whether or not an answer is extra acidic (decrease pH) or alkaline (increased pH). Drinks with a decrease pH will be erosive to tooth, making them extra prone to cavities; nevertheless, unsweetened carbonated water will not be practically as erosive as soda or fruit juice, in keeping with a 2016 study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association.
Some carbonated water brands include ingredients like citric acid for taste, which can raise the acidity level. Adding your own slices of lemon or lime would have a similar effect. And because the ingredient list will often say “natural flavor,” it is hard to know exactly what was added.
Even so, “it would take quite a lot of consumption throughout the day to have damaging effects similar to what we’d see with fruit juice or soda,” said Dr. Brittany Seymour, an associate professor at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine and a spokeswoman for the American Dental Association.
The bottom line: Because carbonated water still has the potential to be erosive, think of it as a once-a-day treat rather than your main source of water, Dr. Seymour said.
“If you want to have two or three sparkling waters a day, perhaps pair them with a meal,” she added.
When you eat, your mouth produces additional saliva, which can help neutralize acids on the surface of your teeth.
If you prefer drinking it alone, without food — Dr. Seymour usually drinks unsweetened seltzer while cooking dinner — use a straw to help the water bypass your teeth. In general, try not to sip it for more than an hour. Drinking carbonated water over a long time period prolongs the amount of time that your teeth are exposed to acidity.
If you love fizzy water and like to drink it multiple times a day, without meals, consider brushing your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste afterward to stave off tooth decay. Just make sure to wait at least 30 minutes after your last drink, Dr. Seymour said.
Why? The acidity of the carbonated water softens the enamel of your teeth. Taking a break gives your enamel a chance to re-mineralize and return to its normal hardened state, which is the ideal surface for brushing because it can better tolerate abrasives, she added.
If you have kids who also like to indulge in bubbly water, “I would say in general it’s fine,” Dr. Seymour said. But, she added, “I wouldn’t do it everyday with my daughter.” Ideally, parents should encourage their children to drink still, fluoridated water to guard against cavities, she said, and reserve the sparkling water for special occasions.
Carbonated beverages can also contribute to gas and bloating, but the degree varies from person to person.
“When you swallow carbonation it has to come out somewhere, so you either belch it out or it’s passed through flatulence,” said Courtney Schuchmann, a registered dietitian at University of Chicago Medicine who specializes in gastrointestinal health. “If you’re someone who already has issues with gas and bloating, it can cause more symptoms for you.”
Carbonation can also make acid reflux worse and have a “filling effect,” which may diminish your appetite by creating distention in your belly, she added.
Regardless of what type of water you prefer, each day aim to drink about half your body weight in ounces, with most of that being flat water, Ms. Schuchmann said. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds you should drink around 75 ounces of water to stay hydrated.
Something else to keep in mind: Many people assume club soda and seltzer water are interchangeable, however club soda usually has sodium.
“For someone watching their blood pressure, that is something to take into consideration,” Ms. Schuchmann said. “It depends on what the rest of your diet looks like and how much sodium is coming from other sources.”
