Sparkling water has been a popular drink for years, often replacing soda as an essential drink of choice. Market studies show that the global sparkling water industry is expected to reach almost $ 48 billion this year, North Americans being the largest consumers in the world. Basically, we love our sparkling water.
Many people consider sparkling water as a better alternative to sweet sodas. But how does he compare himself to standard immobile water? Here is what doctors and nutritionists say.
What is sparkling water, exactly?
You probably have a certain level of familiarity with sparkling water, but it does not hurt to see the bases again. The sparkling water, also known as soda water, is infused water from carbon dioxide under pressure, explains the dietitian Scott Keatley, co -owner of Keatley Medical Nutrition Therapy. This process creates carbonation and is what gives sparkling water its shine.
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The sparkling water is different from tonic water, which is also sparkling but contains quinine and has a bitter taste. Sparkling water is also available in many varieties, from standard Perrier to flavored options such as the cross (available in coconut, mojito, tangerine, etc.).
Is sparkling water better for you than still water?
Sparkling water without flavor and water are still quite similar in terms of health services. “Non -calorie sparkling water is neither better nor worse for you than water,” said Jennifer Sacheck, President of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences at George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health , in Yahoo Life. The sparkling water, she says, is only an alternative to the consumption of tap water.
“Carbonation has no proven health benefits and carbonation is not harmful – it quickly dissipates in the blood circulation,” explains Sacheck. Keatley agrees. “Sparkling water and tap water provide the essential hydration that your body needs to work, because none contains calories, sugar or other components that could harm your health,” he said.
But sparkling water can encourage people who do not yet like water to hydrate more, underlines Keatley. “For those who have trouble drinking enough ordinary water, sparkling water can be a useful alternative to increase the overall consumption of fluid,” he says. “Overall, the choice between sparkling and still in water depends on personal preference and any underlying health problem.”
It is also important what people replace the sparkling water, says Keatley. “Sparkling water can serve as a healthier alternative to sweet sodas and other sugary drinks, which are linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes and dental decay,” he said.
Will the consumption of frothy water help you lose weight?
Probably not. A recent study published in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health, suggested that sparkling water could help lose weight, but Keatley says that the results have been largely misinterpreted. The study analyzed the data on the impact of gas water on the body and revealed that carbon dioxide in sparkling water goes through several processes in the bloodstream which ultimately accelerates the way in which red blood cells take blood sugar. As a result, sparkling water can lower blood sugar into the body. (Having well -managed blood sugar is considered an important element of weight loss, making your cells more effective to burn fat, explains Keatley.)
But while many people have interpreted the results to suggest that a habit of sparkling water will help you lose weight, this is not what the study has revealed. In fact, the authors of the study included this in the conclusion: “The quantity is so small that it is difficult to expect weight loss effects only of carbon dioxide in gas water.”
What about the effect of sparkling water on the teeth?
Another thing to consider: there have been online gossip saying that sparkling water is bad for your teeth, but most dentists say that these concerns are exaggerated. “The sparkling water is sparkling, which makes it slightly acidic. (But) unless the teeth are constantly bathed in sparkling water, it is not harmful, “said Julie Cho, a dentist in New York, in Yahoo Life.
Mark Wolff, dean of the University of Pennsylvania Dental Medicine School, Acid in sparkling water is “weak” and “generally quickly neutralized by saliva” told Yahoo Life. If you are concerned about acid in sparkling water by eroding your teeth, Cho suggests chasing your sparkling water with motionless water.
Overall, experts point out that sparkling water is not healthier or worse than water still – it’s just water in a different presentation.
Can you have as much sparkling water as you wish?
In general, Keatley says you can absorb as much sparkling water as you wish. “However, ordinary water can have a slight advantage for individuals subject to acid reflux or bloating, because carbonation can exacerbate these conditions by relaxing the lower esophageal sphincter and introducing gas into the gastrointestinal tract,” -he. In other words, sparkling water can make you gas and inflated more than tap water.
The flavored options are also correct, but Sacheck recommends avoiding those who have a high sugar content and artificial sweeteners. “It is important to examine the specific product,” says Keatley. “Some products include added sugars or artificial sweeteners, which can contribute to caloric intake or metabolic effects depending on the type and quantity consumed.”
Flated sparkling waters also tend to contain citric acid, which can have a greater impact on your teeth, says Wolff. “Whenever soft drinks contain sugars, we must remember that this can create an environment that contributes to creating decadence,” he adds.
Is the container important?
Experts generally agree that it is preferable to avoid sparkling water in plastic containers when you can, citing a recent study which revealed that a liter of bottled water contains about 240,000 tiny pieces of plastic . “I like to avoid plastic and go with glass when possible,” says Sacheck.
But if you like to drink sparkling water regularly, there is no need to stop. “Sparkling water is not intrinsically better or worse than regular drinking water for most people,” says Keatley.
