Tonic Water vs Sparkling Water

By: Jan Helge
Date: July 18, 2023
Time to read: 5 min.

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Nowadays, one can choose from a wide range of different types of water, and it can be confusing to determine which one is best.

Most people make their choices depending on the manufacturer and their preferences. You may want to drink some of these waters straight from the bottle, while others may be better suited for mixing with alcohol and sticking to. Tonic water and sparkling water almost align when it comes to their use cases. However, knowing the differences between the two is paramount in succeeding in swapping one for the other.

This article will tell you everything you need to know about tonic and carbonated water.

Table Of Contents

Just what is sparkling water?
A Definition of Tonic Water
Comparison of Sparkling Water and Tonic Water Composition
Comparison of Sparkling Water and Tonic Water Nutritional Facts
Final Thoughts

Just what is sparkling water?

The addition of carbon dioxide gas to water results in the production of carbonated water, also known as sparkling water.

Carbonated water is just plain old H2O that has been given an artificial fizz by hydrolyzing carbon dioxide gas under pressure. It’s a great alternative to sodas if you’re trying to live a healthier lifestyle by cutting back on sugary drinks, and it’s a great way to stay hydrated if you don’t like plain water.

Suppose you decide to drink sparkling water rather than soda. In that case, you will be able to thank yourself in the future for avoiding the unhealthy calories, dyes, and sodium contained in the latest beverage.

Alcohol, lemon juice, orange juice, and sometimes the pulp of any other fruit is added to sparkling water to create a low-calorie, nutrient-rich juice. It’s like water, except with added health benefits and gas.

A Definition of Tonic Water

Tonic water, also known as Indian tonic water, is a type of carbonated soft drink that contains quinine that has been dissolved in the drink.

However, tonic water is not a suitable substitute for water and does not make an excellent addition to juices. As a result of its historical medicinal use, quinine was commonly added to sparkling water to create what we now know as tonic water.

Quinine gives tonic water its bitter flavor and is said to have health benefits that the FDA does not currently support. Yet many people enjoy taking tonic water over regular water due to its distinctively bitter flavor.

Juices, however, should not have tonic water added to them, as this would negate the juice’s calorie-free and nutritional status.

Since you would consume many calories throughout the day if you drank tonic water instead of water, it is not a healthy choice. One can only dread the repercussions this would have on one’s life after a few months of gulping down calories as if they were nothing more than water.

Comparison of Sparkling Water and Tonic Water Composition

Sparkling Water

For the production of carbonated water, carbon dioxide gas is dissolved in the water, and the mixture is then rapidly bottled under high pressure. Carbon dioxide gas (CO2) and regular water are the only two ingredients in carbonated drinks.

Combined, they form carbonic acid, which creates a very mild acid, giving it a slightly tart or burning flavor. In recent years, this flavor profile has become increasingly popular.

Adding carbon dioxide (CO2) makes this sparkling water slightly acidic. Sparkling water is characterized by approximately a pH of 3.5–4.0 and the pH of typical tap water ranges from 6.5 to 8.5. As a result, you may burp more frequently after consuming carbonated beverages.

Tonic Water

Water, gin, soda, and quinine were initially used to make tonic water. The name “tonic water” means wholesome, maybe because it contains quinine, though not enough to reduce malaria symptoms.

Fruit juice concentrates are used to add both sweetness and flavoring to a regular tonic water bottle. The fact that tonic water doesn’t have any caffeine in it is another important selling point for the product.

The ingredients that are required to make your tonic water are listed below.

Natural water source
Organic quinine
Sugar
Natural carbonation
Citrate of sodium
Pure, all-fruit extracts
Ascorbic acid
Natural or ‘botanical’ flavors
Benzoic acid sodium
Saccharin at 5.1 mg per fluid ounce.

Have you read the article about the difference between seltzer and sparkling water? No? Read it here!

Comparison of Sparkling Water and Tonic Water Nutritional Facts

Drinking sparkling or tonic water can provide consumers with several positive health effects. In the section below, we shall cover nutritional facts associated with the two types of water.

Sparkling Water

Avoiding sugary drinks and other beverages is one of the best ways to maintain a healthy weight. Sugary soda raises blood sugar levels because a typical 12-ounce bottle contains about 1.3 ounces of sugar. To avoid this, use zero-calorie carbonated water as an alternative.

The trace amounts of beneficial minerals found in carbonated water can offer some protection from cardiovascular diseases. Choosing sparkling water over sugary soft drinks is good for your heart and can help you avoid developing cardiovascular disease.

Weight loss: Maintaining adequate fluid intake may help maintain and cut off some weight. People often mistake thirst for hunger and eat whenever their bodies signal that they need water—drinking carbonated water can be beneficial.

To remain hydrated, drinking plenty of water is essential, but some people may not like the flavor of plain water. Individuals with these needs can choose to stay hydrated with naturally carbonated water.

Tonic Water

If you suffer from excruciating leg cramps, you might find relief by adding some grape juice to your tonic water. However, the adverse effects of the drink become apparent at higher consumption levels.

Quinine is present in tonic water, but it is too little to benefit malaria. Treatment with antibiotics is usually required for a full recovery from malaria.

The effectiveness of quinine therapy in eliminating malaria has been disproved. However, it has alleviated some of the disease’s symptoms, such as fever.

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Final Thoughts

Both tonic and sparkling water have their benefits. However, sparkling water offers more perks compared to what you can get from tonic water. If you are a health-conscious person seeking a favorable alternative, sparkling water will give you more than you expect.