Is Carbonated Water Bad for You? Pros & Cons

Learn about the pros and cons of carbonated water and the different types to choose from

Carbonated water has become a popular alternative to soda and other sweetened beverages, giving you the bubbly refreshing drink without the sugar or extra calories.

However, some people claim that carbonated drinks can cause weight gain and tooth decay. So is carbonated water bad for you, or a fun way to stay hydrated?

Learn about the pros and cons of carbonated water and the different types to choose from.

What are the advantages of carbonated water?

1. Boosts hydration

If you find drinking water boring, carbonated water is a great way to mix it up. You can substitute a few glasses of plain water with unsweetened sparkling water since sparkling water is just as hydrating.

2. Promotes satiety

Drinking sparkling water may provide a temporary, instantaneous increase in satiety or fullness. According to studies, carbonated water has a longer-lasting satiating effect than plain water.

3. May alleviate constipation

One study showed that consuming sparkling water for 2 weeks can help significantly improve symptoms such as post-stroke constipation. Another study found that carbonated water can help improve indigestion.

4. Helps you quit soda

It can be challenging to quit drinking soda and drink more water instead. Sparkling water may be the secret to tricking your brain out of a soda habit. You can add flavor to sparkling water with fruit, cucumber, and herbs to keep it interesting.

Are there side effects to drinking carbonated water?

As long as you choose carbonated water that does not contain sugar or caffeine, there should be no major health concerns. However, there are potential side effects of drinking sparkling water.

Stomach problems

If you frequently have stomach issues, sparkling water may cause brief but unpleasant side effects such as:

Reduce your consumption of sparkling water and stick to still water if you notice that your stomach has trouble handling the carbonation.

Dental issues

Carbonated water may contain minerals, whether natural or injected during the carbonation process. This can affect your dental enamel. Look out for anything that contains phosphorus, sugar, or citric acid because these can cause enamel erosion.

What are different types of carbonated water?

In most cases, carbonated water is simply water. However, not all types of sparkling water are made equal. There are a few different varieties:

Seltzer: Plain seltzer is artificially carbonated water. However, some varieties come with natural fruit flavors and sugar. The FDA technically differentiates between carbonated water and seltzer on how they are carbonated. However, they are the same for consumer needs.
Mineral water: Mineral water is naturally carbonated water that comes from a spring or well and contains minerals such as calcium and magnesium.
Club soda: Club soda is fortified with minerals such as sodium bicarbonate and potassium sulfate and is artificially carbonated.
Tonic water: In addition to being artificially carbonated, tonic water contains added minerals, notably quinine, which gives it its distinctive bitter flavor. High-fructose corn syrup or sugar are often added as well. Tonic water also contains quinine, which when consumed in excess can cause upset stomach, migraines, ringing in the ears, and other unpleasant effects.

How to keep it healthy

When it comes to selecting carbonated water, stick to plain seltzers and mineral water and avoid any that contain sugar, artificial sweeteners, caffeine, etc.

Artificial sweeteners can cause stomach problems, and added sugar is linked to heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and other chronic illnesses. Additionally, there is no safe level of caffeine intake for children even though it is normally safe in moderation for healthy adults.