A large majority of people enjoy drinking carbonated or sparkling water. It is quite popular, but many people have many questions about it. They want to know if it is safe to drink carbonated water. Does sparkling water cause gas? Are there other health concerns? It is true that drinking sugar and sugar-free soda can pose several health risks, but many people are not sure about the risks involved in drinking sparkling water or seltzer water. Let's find out if you should stop drinking sparkling water or not.
Does Sparkling Water Cause Gas?
The simple answer is yes. The thing is that the carbonated water can cause a buildup of air in the stomach, and it can sometimes lead to belching. If you drink a large amount of sparkling water, that belching can turn into bloating or abdominal distension. Not cutting back on your sparkling water consumption may even lead to chronic bloating. It can be so painful sometimes that people may take it as other illnesses, such as appendicitis.
Does sparkling water cause gas? Yes, it can, but it also depends on many factors. For instance:
- What type of sparkling water your drink plays a role here. There are three main types – club soda, seltzer, and mineral water. You usually do not need to worry about anything when you drink mineral water because it is naturally carbonated. Things are different for club soda and seltzer because they are devoid of any minerals and contain more carbonation too. When a drink is high in carbonation, it also increases your risk of dealing with gas and bloating. Mineral water is probably the healthiest option here because it provides you with some nutrients that aid digestion.
- Timing plays a role when it comes to drinking sparkling water without any issue. You are likely to develop gas, bloating, and other digestive problems when you drink sparkling water before, during, or right after your meals. Sparkling water can dilute the digestive juices in your stomach, which can interfere with the digestion of food. In fact, you may develop digestive problems when you drink water immediately after eating food. The best thing is to sip water and avoid gulping it down. You should also consider drinking water throughout the day instead of drinking too much with your meals.
- Added sugar in sparkling water can also affect your digestive system. People with yeast or sugar issues should think twice before including sparkling water in their diet. To avoid experiencing any problem, pay special attention to portion control. You should not drink more than 2-4 ounces a day.
What it implies is that sparkling water is not bad, especially when you take it as an alternative to soda or sweet treats. However, you need to understand that too much of anything is bad. You should also pay attention to when you drink sparkling water to avoid digestive problems.
Some FAQs on Carbonated Water
Does sparkling water cause gas? You already know the answer, but there are some other questions associated with sparkling or carbonated water. For instance:
1. Can carbonation lead to an increase in calcium loss?
No, it cannot. Studies have found that cola beverages are more likely to affect bone mineral density, but you do not have to worry about it when drinking carbonated beverages. The reason why colas are not good for the bones is that they contain phosphorous, which can trigger the loss of calcium through kidneys.
2. Can sparkling water cause tooth decay?
It depends on what is included in the sparkling water you drink. For instance, you do not need to worry about your dental health so long as you drink carbonated water that does not contain any sugar or citric acid. Carbonated beverages that contain added ingredients can certainly cause tooth decay. In fact, many studies have found that sugars and acids found in many carbonated beverages have carcinogenic potential. Drinking these beverages can directly affect tooth enamel and lead to dental problems.
3. Can you develop IBS because of carbonated water?
As mentioned already, what type of carbonated water you drink and the timing of drinking can make carbonated beverage bad for your digestive system. However, you do not develop IBS only by drinking carbonated beverages, but drinking would aggravate your symptoms. You may also have to deal with gas and bloating that can make it difficult to manage your IBS.
4. Will you gain weight by drinking carbonated water?
No, you would not gain weight so long as you drink plain carbonated water. You have to understand that there are different types of sparkling water, so you have to consider what they contain to ensure you do not end up gaining weight. Plain carbonated water is nothing but water plus air. However, sparkling water may contain additives, such as flavors, acids, and sweeteners that add calories to it. Drinking these beverages would increase your caloric intake, and you will eventually gain weight. Therefore, you should pay special attention to what is included in your sparkling water to maintain your weight.