inspiring canadians to live better.

healthing leaf

inspiring canadians to live better.

healthing leaf
get healthing in your inbox with the morning checkup and weekender newsletter!

is carbonated water good for you?

the fancier version of the simplest beverage in the world may not be all that different from the still version.

by chris arnold
published sep 23, 2022
read time 3 minute read
join the conversation
read time 3 minute read
join the conversation
is it bad to drink carbonated water every day?
as long as it's sugar and sweetener free, sparkling water will hydrate you equally as well as the still stuff, according to the cleveland clinic. getty
sparkling water is in a boom with the likes of sodastream, bubly, perrier, and la croix. but is the bubbling stuff really good for you? sparkling water is one of the best alternatives for people looking to cut back on pop or alcohol, as it can “scratch the itch” of wanting something bubbly to sip on at night. brands like liquid death have even gone for a more hardcore look that may be mistaken at a glance for alcohol, while encouraging drinkers to “murder their thirst.”
some say that sparkling water makes you feel full longer, thanks to the bubbles, while others suggest it may help with constipation. but is the fancier version of the simplest beverage in the world really all that different from the still version? 

where carbonated water come from?

the carbonation process, which is used to make sparkling water, was invented in 1767 by joseph priestley. however, the use of carbonating beverages wasn’t commercialized until about 20 years later when jacob schweppe — founder of the soft drinks manufacturer schweppes — founded his company. 
sparkling water is made from dissolving carbon in water using high gas pressure and low temperatures. this creates carbonic acid, which gives the water its effervescence, according to water company borg & overstrom.

related stories

one of the world's most popular drinks may help prevent diabetes
drinking four or more cups of tea a day may have significant benefits, according to a new study.
researchers found tea may reduce the risk of diabetes. getty

can people with thyroid disorders eat kale?
the superfood, packed with vitamins and minerals, may actually interfere with iodine uptake. but how bad is it?
one of the first ways people incorporate kale into their diet is adding it to smoothies to get all the nutrients it has to offer. getty
story continues below
however, there are places in the world where sparkling water happens to occur naturally.
soda springs, idaho has a geyser in the middle of the town that sprays sparkling water into the air. the water in the geyser occurs naturally underground thanks to a pocket of co2 gas, but the actual geyser itself was accidentally man made and goes off every hour, on the hour. the town also has carbonated springs that people can bathe in. 

is carbonated water good for you?

sparkling water, mineral water, or seltzer, it’s all water. as long as it’s sugar and sweetener free, sparkling water will hydrate you equally as well as the still stuff, according to the cleveland clinic.
sparking water may also be good for more than just quenching your thirst. according to a 2011 study published by the national center for biotechnology information, sparkling water can ease constipation in stroke survivors who are subsequently unable to get out of bed. (a concern in many elderly communities.)
in the study, patients in the control group drank still water, while those in an experimental group drank sparkling water for two weeks. symptoms of constipation significantly decreased in the group that drank the carbonated water.
powered by
canadian society for exercise physiology
story continues below

can bubbly water be bad for your teeth?

sparkling water may make you feel bloated, just as any other carbonated beverage would. this could also lead to belching, gas, and stomach pain. 
carbonated water is slightly more acidic than flat water, however, according to the
american dental association, regular sparkling water is generally safe for teeth. depending on the brand of sparkling water, there could be minerals that could be harmful to teeth, but this is usually down to sugars and acids that could be added. the ada does mention citrus flavoured water specifically as having higher volumes of acid, which could lead to increased risk of damaging tooth enamel. 
there is also the cost factor to consider. sparkling water generally costs more than the still counterpart — unless you’re drinking fiji or something similar.
 
chris arnold is a toronto-based writer.
don’t miss a thing: sign-up for healthing’s newsletter
thank you for your support. if you liked this story, please send it to a friend. every share counts.

comments

postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. we ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. we have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. visit our community guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.

you may also like
group of young female athlete doing warm up exercises during sports training at health club. focus is on happy woman in black.
international self-care day: are you practicing authentic self-care?
happy mother and daughter eat pizza in a cafe and having fun.
study links ultra-processed foods to increased risk of stroke and cognitive decline 
doctor holding red heart. selective focus, man's hands in close-up. concept of good health, cardiovascular diseases prevention, healthy lifestyle promotion, human organ donation, implantation
gut health and heart disease: study shows bacteria impacts cholesterol and cardiovascular health
woman choosing frozen food from a supermarket freezer
listeria 101: breaking down causes, spotting symptoms and preventing listeriosis
senior couple shopping vegetables and fruits on the market. healthy diet.
healthy eating and older adults: solutions to common challenges
you may also like
group of young female athlete doing warm up exercises during sports training at health club. focus is on happy woman in black.
international self-care day: are you practicing authentic self-care?
happy mother and daughter eat pizza in a cafe and having fun.
study links ultra-processed foods to increased risk of stroke and cognitive decline 
doctor holding red heart. selective focus, man's hands in close-up. concept of good health, cardiovascular diseases prevention, healthy lifestyle promotion, human organ donation, implantation
gut health and heart disease: study shows bacteria impacts cholesterol and cardiovascular health
woman choosing frozen food from a supermarket freezer
listeria 101: breaking down causes, spotting symptoms and preventing listeriosis
you may also like
group of young female athlete doing warm up exercises during sports training at health club. focus is on happy woman in black.
international self-care day: are you practicing authentic self-care?
happy mother and daughter eat pizza in a cafe and having fun.
study links ultra-processed foods to increased risk of stroke and cognitive decline