Is Sparkling Water Good For Gastritis

By: Jan Helge
Date: November 30, 2022
Time to read: 5 min.

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Sparkling water is often touted as a healthier alternative to sugary drinks. However, if you have gastritis, you might be wondering if sparkling water is a good choice of beverage for you.

In this post, we’ll discuss the effects of drinking sparkling water for people who have gastritis and whether or not it poses any health risks when consumed.

How To Tell If You Have Gastritis

Infection, irritability, autoimmune diseases, or bile backflow into the stomach can all result in gastritis. Pernicious anemia, a blood condition, is another factor that might contribute to gastritis.

Various factors can cause irritation to your stomach, including certain foods or drinks that you consume, as well as your daily routine.

A diagnosis can be made by conducting a variety of tests. The most typical signs of gastritis, however, are stomach distress and pain, which you should be aware of before seeing a doctor. Other possible signs and symptoms include:

Indigestion (dyspepsia) (dyspepsia)
Heartburn
Continent pain
Hiccups
reduced appetite
Nausea
vomiting that may contain blood or what seems to be coffee grinds
Black stools

Sparkling Water: Gastritis Relief?

It has been demonstrated that sweetened carbonated beverages enhance the formation of stomach acid, which may cause lining irritation and possibly the emergence of a stomach ulcer.

It’s crucial to limit irritants like carbonated drinks if you have a pre-existing illness like gastritis or reflux, especially since they make you burp and cause acid to regurgitate into your esophagus.

If your digestive system is in good shape, you shouldn’t typically worry about how sparkling water will affect it unless you have a great dislike of belching. After consuming sparkling water, you’ll probably burp a little bit, which is to be anticipated as you are technically ingesting carbon dioxide bubbles.

However, the majority of that carbon dioxide is expelled when the sparkling water container is opened, which is what causes that delicious hiss sound, thus less of it actually enters the stomach.

The majority of this extra carbon dioxide will likely be burped up, but a small amount may continue to travel through the digestive system, resulting in mild bloating, flatulence, and other gas symptoms.

Due to these gassy effects, those with specific gastrointestinal problems may want to avoid sparkling beverages. This comprises people who experience acid reflux on a regular basis or are severe enough to be diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Possible Risk Of Drinking Sparkling Water If You Have Gastritis

Heartburn symptoms are caused by acid reflux, which is characterized by a weakened sphincter at the bottom of the esophagus that allows stomach contents to travel in the opposite direction.

Sparkling water’s carbon dioxide bubbles can create gastric distension, which can lower the lower esophageal sphincter’s pressure and lead to acid reflux.

This is particularly likely if you drink a lot of sparkling water or right after a meal when acid reflux is more prone to occur. In order to manage their symptoms, persons with GERD are typically recommended to avoid acidic meals.

Additionally, individuals with illnesses like irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease, which already produce severe bloating, gas, and inflammation, should limit their intake of acidic and carbonated drinks to prevent further pain.

Surprisingly, a few older studies indicate that sparkling water may benefit some people’s digestion. Theoretically, it can lower the pH of the stomach, which can aid in the early stages of digestion by encouraging the contraction of the muscles that move food.

There aren’t much solid data to support this, though. Before we can start advising sparkling water for better digestion, much more research must be done.

Other Food/Beverage To Watch Out For If You Have Gastritis

Both acute and chronic gastritis have the potential to be asymptomatic. Knowing your triggers is essential for preventing sometimes debilitating episodes of gastritis. The following list of meals and drinks might raise stomach acid and cause symptoms of gastritis:

Dairy items (milk, cheese, yogurt)
Carbonated beverages
Caffeine
Alcohol
Citrus fruits and juices
Red and black pepper
Garlic and chili
Fatty foods (sausage, salami, bacon, ham, etc.)
Uncooked vegetables like cucumbers, onions, garlic, hot chiles, and peppers
Tomato-based foods (tomato paste, sauce, or juice)

Environmental and chemical factors can also cause gastritis symptoms, such as:

Smoking cigarettes
Binge drinking alcohol

How Is Gastritis Treated?

Everybody has a unique body. And we must stop for a moment, consider our past habits, and determine what might be the root of the problem. For some people, gastritis can be brought on by stress. So, take some time to think about it. You may start by asking yourself:

Does gastritis tend to flare up more frequently when you’re under stress?
Does gastritis tend to flare up more frequently when you’re inconsistently eating meals?

It will be simpler for you to discuss solutions with a doctor when you have thought about your behaviors. Changes in lifestyle, such as abstaining from alcohol, NSAIDs, coffee, and narcotics over an extended period of time, may help prevent gastritis and associated complications.

Additionally, it is important to eat just slightly less than full and not binge or skip meals at all times to maintain a healthy diet. It can also be beneficial to reduce stress by using relaxation techniques like yoga, tai chi, and meditation.

Conclusion

The acidity of sparkling water can make it worse for people with gastritis by irritating the lining of the stomach and intestines. Although some people with gastritis can manage small amounts of cola or other carbonated soft drinks with or without caffeine, it’s best to stay away from any carbonated drink altogether.

Water, cranberry juice, and green tea are healthier options as they have been associated with a lower risk of gastritis and stomach cancer.

Unquestionably, though, consuming sparkling water can also aid in preventing dehydration. Dehydration can cause dry lips, weariness, headaches, and decreased performance.

Constipation, heart and kidney problems and digestive problems may all be brought on by chronic dehydration. Both still water and sparkling water are hydrating.