Is Sparkling Water Healthy?
By Sara Butler
Your body needs water to function optimally, which means you must drink water every day -- a lot of water. There are all kinds of tips and tricks out there to help, such as adding your favorite fruit or some mint to make it interesting, but what about sparkling water? Sparkling water has seen an upsurge in popularity over the last couple of years, but the question remains: is it just as good as water?
The Pros
Sparkling water has no fat, no sugar, and no calories, which is one of its major selling points. There’s no doubt that it’s a good alternative to sugary sodas and a way you can get that little extra something out of the water without adding anything else.
The process of carbonating water, or adding the bubbles, doesn’t change the fact that it’s still water. It hydrates you just as good as still water -- and that’s something that’s good for your entire body. In fact, staying hydrated helps to improve your kidney function, your heart function, helps your digestive system work more optimally, and improves the health of your skin.
The Myths
You may have heard that drinking carbonated water can leach calcium right out of your bones, but rest assured that’s simply a myth. It’s true that cola has been linked to low bone mineral density, but not sparkling water. As for the impact of it on your teeth, it may be slightly more erosive to your teeth than regular water, but it’s nowhere near as bad for your teeth as soda.
The Side Effects
Some people can experience digestive discomfort due to the bubbles in sparkling water. If you have irritable bowel syndrome, you may want to avoid carbonated beverages, including sparkling water, in order to avoid digestive distress. The bubbles in sparkling water also fill you up, so you may actually end up drinking less water overall. If you’re working out, it’s always a good idea to go for still water to ensure you’re properly replacing any fluid lost.
The truth is that if you want to enjoy a flavored sparkling water, then it’s likely not going to impact your health. Plus, it’s a lot better for you than soda! But just as with anything else, you may want to enjoy it in moderation, especially if you’re looking to replace fluid lost through a workout or on a hot day.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Katy, Tex.