6 health benefits of sparkling water

Sparkling water is good for your health, as in addition to hydrating, it contains the same micronutrients as natural water, differing only by the addition of CO.₂ (carbon dioxide), an inert gas that is eliminated from the body shortly after ingestion. The presence of CO₂ in water only leads to the appearance of bubbles and a more acidic taste to the water.

Despite being healthy, some brands add some substances to sparkling water, such as artificial flavors and sweeteners, which ends up reducing the healthy effect and benefits of sparkling water and, therefore, it is recommended that you observe the label on the packaging.

Simple sparkling water, without additives, is the one that has all the benefits of hydration, and is often of great help to those who don’t have much of a habit of drinking water and prefer soft drinks due to the presence of gas, for example.

Main benefits

The main benefits of sparkling water are:

1. Hydrate the body

Sparkling water hydrates and contains the same nutrients as natural water. Furthermore, the addition of carbon dioxide is not harmful to your health because the body absorbs and eliminates this gas.

2. Be rich in nutrients

Mineral water, whether sparkling or still, is rich in nutrients such as calcium, potassium and magnesium. As it also contains sodium, people with high blood pressure should pay attention to the label, as some brands may add additional amounts of this substance, and brands that do this should be avoided.

3. Help you lose weight

The gas present in carbonated water, when released in the stomach, increases the feeling of satiety and a full stomach, which can help you eat less and reduce the number of calories in a meal. Furthermore, sparkling water has no calories and, therefore, can be consumed freely.

4. Improve taste

Sparkling water makes your taste buds more sensitive to the flavor of food, which can enhance its flavor, making it a great option before enjoying a coffee or a glass of wine, for example.

Furthermore, the CO2 present in the water stimulates the functioning of the stomach, increasing its secretion and emptying, which can improve the sensation of digestion.

5. Can replace refrigerant

In addition to being taken in its natural version, sparkling water can be a healthy way to replace soda, through its flavoring. Using lemon, orange zest, mint and ginger, for example, can be great ways to make the drink tastier and make it easier to consume water throughout the day. Check out some flavored water recipes.

6. Improve swallowing ability

Some studies have shown that sparkling water produces sensory and chemical stimuli on the oral capacity and pharyngeal mucosa, improving swallowing capacity, and is therefore beneficial for people with dysphagia.

Is sparkling water harmful to your health?

Due to the similarity in appearance and flavor of drinks such as soda, there are many myths created about sparkling water, however, the consumption of sparkling water, as long as it does not contain artificial flavorings, does not pose any health risks. In this way, sparkling water:

• Does not harm pregnancy and can be consumed normally during this period. However, during pregnancy the feeling of a full stomach and bloating may be greater, as the enlarged belly puts pressure on the stomach, making it more sensitive;
• Does not cause cellulitesince both cellulite and fat increase occur due to the consumption of drinks rich in sugar, which is not the case with sparkling water;
• Does not remove calcium from bones, and does not interfere with the absorption of calcium from food. This can happen when drinking too much soda, mainly because, with excessive consumption of this drink, other sources of minerals are left aside. Furthermore, in soda, excess caffeine and the action of phosphoric acid can reduce bone mineral density;
• Does not harm the kidneysand the more consumed the better, just like natural water, so that they function better and the body is hydrated;
• Does not cause changes or corrosion of teeth, as the amount of acid is not so high that it doesn’t even have more acidity than a soda or lemon juice, for example. Therefore, to cause harm to the teeth, sparkling water would need to remain in contact with the teeth for many hours, which does not happen.

The required amount of water per day, with or without gas, is around 2 liters, or 8 glasses, but this may vary according to the person’s weight, whether they do physical activity or sweat excessively, and the presence of some diseases, such as kidney failure or heart failure. Find out how much water you need per day.

When not to drink sparkling water

Sparkling water is not recommended for children, as despite having the same benefits as still water, it is important to accustom the child’s taste to natural water, to encourage its consumption.

It is also recommended that sparkling water be avoided by people who suffer from gas, dyspepsia or gastroesophageal reflux, as the gases present in the water can increase discomfort and discomfort.

Learn more about sparkling water by watching the following video: