Is Carbonated Water Bad For You?

By: Jan Helge
Date: July 18, 2023
Time to read: 6 min.

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Is Carbonated Water Bad For You?

You may be concerned about the ingredients in caffeinated and energy drinks but find yourself craving one anyway. Carbonated water is deemed a healthy alternative to sugary soft drinks.

Concerns have been raised, however, regarding the possible adverse effects on one’s health. Drinking “guilt-free” carbonated water may seem harmless, but can it pose health risks?

This article provides valuable information about the state of drinking carbonated water and how it may affect your health.

Table Of Contents

Is Carbonated Water Bad For You?
The Meaning Of "Carbonated Water"
Are Carbonated Drinks Unhealthy?
Can Carbonated Water Cause Tooth Decay?
Can Drinking Carbonated Water Bring On Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Does Drinking Carbonated Water Deplete Bone Calcium?
Can Drinking Carbonated Water Lead To Weight Gain?
Advice On Maintaining Good Health
FAQ
Conclusion

The Meaning Of “Carbonated Water”

Carbonated water is formed after it has been pressurized and carbon dioxide gas has been infused into it. This results in fizzy beverages known as club soda, sparkling water, seltzer water, soda water, and fizzy water.

Most carbonated waters, except seltzer water, have various additives for flavor. Infrequently, other minerals may be present in trace amounts.

Mineral spring waters are typically rich in minerals and sulfur compounds due to their source. Often, they also have carbonation. Carbonated tonic water generally is sweetened with sugar or high-fructose corn syrup and contains the bitter compound quinine.

Are Carbonated Drinks Unhealthy?

Possibly you’ve heard some of the complaints that have been made about carbonated drinks. Effects such as bone resorption are possible. Another possible negative side effect is the erosion of the tooth enamel.

Also, it could make your stomach feel funny. These concerns have been prompted by the findings of prior studies into the risks posed by most carbonated drinks. These drinks contain chemicals, as well as artificial and natural sugars.

There is evidence that drinking carbonated soft drinks can decrease bone mineral density. Evidence from studies suggests that substituting soft drinks for calcium-rich foods like milk may have a negative impact on bone health.

Another study found that the acidity of many sodas, not the carbonation itself, causes tooth erosion. However, flavored sparkling water may accelerate tooth decay. Flavoring additives make water much more acidic, which breaks down tooth enamel.

Can Carbonated Water Cause Tooth Decay?

The answer is no unless citric acid or sugar has been added to the carbonated water. However, these effects are greatly magnified when one considers soda and other carbonated beverages to which ingredients have been added.

According to a case report published in 2009 by Trusted Source, the acids and sugars contained in flavored carbonated water have the potential to be acidogenic and cariogenic, and they can also cause erosion of the enamel.

Carbonation entails nothing more complicated than introducing carbon dioxide gas under pressure into the water; no acids, sugars, or salt are involved in the process. The risk of tooth decay is increased when these additives are present.

Carbon dioxide gas dissolved in carbonated water as carbonic acid is not as acidic as commonly believed and does not cause tooth decay. Two studies, one from 1999 and one from 2012, counter this, finding that elevated carbon dioxide levels have no adverse effect on tooth enamel.

Can Drinking Carbonated Water Bring On Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

People with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are frequently advised to avoid carbonated drinks such as cola and lemonade.

However, studies have not linked drinking sparkling carbonated water to increased IBS symptoms like diarrhea, constipation, or stomach cramps. Another worry for people with IBS is that certain foods and drinks can worsen their symptoms.

Carbonated water has the same hydrating effects as regular still water and may reduce rather than exacerbate IBS symptoms. Carbonated water won’t cause irritable bowel syndrome, but it might trigger symptoms in people who already have it due to the gas and bloating it can cause.

If you have stomach problems and notice increased symptoms after drinking carbonated water, you may want to cut it out of your diet.

Does Drinking Carbonated Water Deplete Bone Calcium?

Reduced bone mineral density has been linked to soda consumption, especially cola. But the carbonation itself isn’t the cause of the problem. Researchers gave one group of women one liter per day of still water and another one liter per day of carbonated water. Both groups drank the water daily. Bone turnover markers were not different between groups after eight weeks of treatment.

Can Drinking Carbonated Water Lead To Weight Gain?

Though it’s clear that sugary drinks like soda, juice and sweet tea aren’t good for you, a study conducted in 2017 found that plain carbonated water increases a hunger hormone called ghrelin in men.

An increase in ghrelin levels is associated with an increase in hunger and, consequently, an increase in food intake, which can lead to excess weight gain. However, more studies on a larger scale and in women are required to confirm these findings.

Not all carbonated water is the same, so that’s something to keep in mind. While plain carbonated water only requires the addition of carbon dioxide, some bottled seltzers and flavor enhancers also include salt, various acids (both natural and artificial), flavors, and sweeteners.

There is a possibility that all of these have added sodium and hidden calories. In addition, studies show that these additives can cause cavities and weight gain over time, so it’s essential to read labels.

Advice On Maintaining Good Health

To keep your teeth and body in good shape, you should always check the ingredient list and avoid harmful ingredients like salt and sugar. Always note that:

The sodium content of club soda is higher than that of seltzer water.
Citric acid, natural sweeteners, and sodium might be added to flavored sparkling water.
A combination of additives has to be present in the ingredient list to enhance the flavor of carbonated water.

FAQ

Is carbonated water bad for your teeth?

Carbonated water can be bad for your teeth as it can erode the enamel on your teeth due to its acidity. The acidity in carbonated water can be caused by the carbonic acid formed by the dissolved CO2, and by the presence of other acids like citric acid, which can be added as a flavor. To protect your teeth, it is recommended to rinse your mouth with water after drinking carbonated water, or to drink it through a straw to minimize contact with your teeth.

Is carbonated water bad for your kidneys?

Carbonated water is not considered bad for your kidneys. In fact, drinking carbonated water can help to increase your fluid intake and keep you hydrated. However, excessive consumption of carbonated water can be harmful if it causes you to exceed your daily recommended intake of caffeine or artificial sweeteners if present. The key is to consume it in moderation and as part of a balanced diet.

Is carbonated water bad for your bones?

There is limited research on the effects of carbonated water on bone health. Some studies have suggested that drinking carbonated water may have a negative impact on bone mineral density, but more research is needed to confirm these findings. It is important to note that carbonated water contains no nutrients that contribute to bone health, and that it may be best to drink plain water or calcium-rich beverages like milk for optimal bone health.

Conclusion

Nutrition experts agree that carbonated water provides the same hydration level as plain water. Still, they point out that tap water also contains fluoride, which can reduce the risk of cavities. It’s important to remember that carbonated water tastes more acidic in our mouths than regular water. Carbonated water without added sugar is much less likely to wear down tooth enamel than soda or fruit juice, which both have a lower pH.