With or without lemon, fruit. We drink it because it refreshes you, quenches your thirst, and with a bit of home-made juice, it is an alternative to sweet carbonated drinks. But is sparkling water he althy? How does it affect digestion, stomach, bones, and teeth? And is it really safe for everyone to drink it?

Carbonated water , sometimes also referred to as soda water, is not a modern invention - it was known already in the 18th century. The manufacturing process is not complicated: spring or mineral water is pressurized with carbon dioxide.

Depending on its concentration, sparkling water can be low-saturated (if the concentration of carbon dioxide is below 1500 mg / l), medium-saturated (if it is between 1500 and 4000 mg / l) or highly saturated if it is above 4000 mg / l . Sometimes the composition of sparkling water is enriched with a small addition of sodium, which improves its taste, or with minerals.

Nutritional information of sparkling water

Does sparkling water have any nutritional value? Contrary to appearances - yes, although they are negligible. According to the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), the nutritional values ​​of 100 g of sparkling water are:

  • Energy value (kcal) - 0
  • Fat 0 g
  • Sodium 21 mg
  • Potassium 2 mg
  • Carbohydrates 0 g
  • Fiber 0 g
  • Protein 0 g
  • Calcium 5 mg
  • Iron 0 mg
  • Magnesium 1 mg

Is sparkling water he althy?

Opponents of sparkling water argue that it has a negative effect on he alth - it can dissolve tooth enamel, cause gas and digestive problems, lead to heartburn, osteoporosis and other he alth conditions. Its supporters, in turn, believe that it has a positive effect on digestion and is very he althy.

The truth, as usual, lies in the middle: sparkling water is generally not harmful, but there are ailments where drinking it is definitely inadvisable.

How does sparkling water affect teeth?

Fans of sparkling water are often worried about its potential effect on teeth, specifically - their enamel. However, there is nothing to worry about: although the pH of sparkling water is acidic, studies have shown that sparkling water does not harm the teeth to a greater extent than waterstill - as long as it does not contain added sugar: sugar combined with carbon dioxide (e.g. in the case of flavored carbonated waters) can erode the enamel and cause caries.

Does sparkling water quench your thirst faster?

People who often drink sparkling water believe that this is the only way to successfully quench their thirst. There is a lot of truth in this statement: water saturated with carbon dioxide makes us feel watered faster.

This does not mean, however, that the body is sufficiently hydrated: the gas bubbles irritate the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, and then a signal goes to the brain that the feeling of thirst has been satisfied even if we only drank a few sips of water. Therefore, apart from carbonated water, you should also drink still water.

Does sparkling water cause osteoporosis?

One eagerly repeated claim is that sparkling water weakens bones and may promote osteoporosis due to its high carbon dioxide content.

The research did not confirm this, however: in a large observational test involving over 2,500 volunteers it was proved that sparkling water, unlike cola drinks, does not harm bones, because it does not contain phosphorus, the excess of which hinders calcium absorption .

A controlled 8-week study of postmenopausal women found that drinking a liter of sodium-enriched sparkling water every day improved calcium absorption more effectively than drinking pure, still mineral water.

Does sparkling water make you fat?

Sparkling water does not provide us with calories, so it does not make us fat. More - it can promote weight loss, as it increases the feeling of fullness to a much greater extent than still water. This is, of course, due to the gas bubbles it is saturated with. Therefore, if you are on a diet or want to lose weight by other methods, do not be afraid that drinking sparkling water may make it difficult for you.

Sparkling water: is it bad for digestion?

Opponents of carbonated water claim that it has a bad effect on digestion: it prolongs the retention of food in the stomach, promotes flatulence and abdominal pain, and causes heartburn. However, research proves that in he althy people this is not the case.

Drinking sparkling water may be beneficial in some conditions, such as the intestines or urinary tract (your doctor will recommend it then). Carbonated water can also improve the ability to swallow food due to the fact that the gas bubbles stimulate the nerves responsible for this reflex.

It also relieves constipation, as proven by studies of bedridden people after a stroke - in those patients who had to drink for two weekssparkling water, the average frequency of bowel movements almost doubled.

Who shouldn't drink sparkling water?

Even though sparkling water has overall he alth benefits, there are people who shouldn't drink it - or at least shouldn't drink it too often.

Contraindications for drinking sparkling water are:

  • irritable bowel syndrome
  • recurring stomach pains
  • gastroesophageal reflux
  • stomach ulcer
  • COPD - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
  • heartburn
  • persistent gas
  • problems with the throat or larynx (also during an infection)
  • hypertension.

Sparkling water should also not be given to young children, as the gas bubbles can irritate the mucosa of the mouth and esophagus, and also get into the nose if the child drinks it greedily.

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