The health benefits of drinking sparkling (yes, SPARKLING) water
January is typically a time when many of us attempt to purge ourselves of the internal contamination and external baggage stockpiled at the tail end of last year. Those seeking a decent ‘detox’ will generally do well to drink plenty of water, one effect of which is to assist the flushing out of bodily pollutants via the urine and sweat. Water purists usually recommend that topping up on still water, rather than sparkling, is the route through to tiptop well-being. However, my eye was caught by a recent study which suggests that fizzy water may sometimes offer superior health benefits to flat.
The research in question, published in the Journal of Nutrition, was designed to assess the health effects of sparkling and still mineral water in a group of women. The study participants were asked to drink 1 litre of either the sparkling or still each day for two months, followed by two months on the other water. During the study, the study participants underwent a number of tests including blood pressure checks and measurement of a variety of blood components including cholesterol. Compared to the still mineral water, the drinking of sparkling water brought about significant reductions in the level of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (generally regarded as a risk factor for heart disease), as well as a significant increase in levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (generally taken to reduce heart disease risk). These and other biochemical changes induced by drinking sparkling water were estimated to reduce the women’s risk of developing heart disease over the next decade by about a third.
Quite what it is about sparkling water that accounts for its seeming heart healthy properties is not known for sure, though the explanation is unlikely to lie in the bubbles themselves. More likely, the benefits of the water used in the study are related to its high mineral content compared to the still water it was tested against. One mineral that the fizzy stuff was particularly high in was sodium - generally regarded as undesirable food constituent on account of its ability to boost blood pressure. However, studies show that low sodium diets may increase cholesterol levels. This throws up the possibility that the sparkling water’s relatively high sodium content might actually have played some part in its apparent ability to quell levels of unhealthy cholesterol.
Interestingly, the Journal of Nutrition study found that the drinking of the sodium-rich mineral water did not lead to any increase in blood pressure. One reason for this is that sparkling waters tend to be rich in bicarbonate, which is believed to help balance any negative effects sodium may have in the body. Personally, my belief is that individual keen to limit sodium in their diets need concern themselves less about foods and drinks that contain this mineral naturally, than processed foodstuffs that have had it added (often in considerable quantity) by food manufacturers. Sparkling waters rich in sodium may not have the healthiest of reputations, but research has bubbled up which suggests that they may actually offer considerable benefits for the body.
Published January 23, 2005 . Filed under: Healthy Eating, Observer Archive
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I think I am addicted to Perrier sparkling water - I can drink anything up to 5 - 6 pints everyday. I just wondered wether there is any side effect to drinking sparkling water. Right now I feel perfectly healthy and thoroughly enjoy it.
December 15, 2007 @ 8:30 pm
The main risk, as I see it, relates to sparkling water’s acidic nature and therefore its potential to cause ‘dental erosion’. Drinking it through a straw should mitigate against this risk.
December 22, 2007 @ 7:36 pm
Dr. John is correct, however the dental decay for sparkling water is 100 times lower than that of regular soft drink beverages. So based on how many people drink soda and still have teeth, I would say that that effect is negligable
December 24, 2007 @ 9:40 pm
I am pregnant and all I want to drink is Sparkling Water. Is it safe to drink all this carbonated sparkling water during pregnancy? Thank you very much.
April 2, 2008 @ 6:27 am
I drink about 36 ounces of selter water per week–three twelve ounce cans of Seagram’s Seltzer Water. I notice one of the ingredients in the 12 ounce can is “potassium chloride.” This “chemical” sounds forbidding and foreboding. Is there any ill side effect in consuming this chemical in Seagram’s Seltzer water on a consistent basis as I do? Are there any seltzer or mineral water brands that do not contain some percentage of “potassium chloride” as an ingredient? Please respond when you have a moment…
October 2, 2008 @ 5:44 pm
San pellegrino
October 29, 2008 @ 9:49 pm
I would like to see a study done on sparkling water that is a just that –a study on carbonated water. Just CO2 and water, no extra minerals or ingredients. A properly run test isolates and tests only one variable at a time, and in order to determine whether CO2 in carbonated water is helpful, harmful, or neither, the water would have to contain ONLY CO2, not a host of minerals and so forth.
What was the source of the “sparkling water” in this study? Was it natural sparkling water? Because if so, that usually contains a host of beneficial minerals, and the test would then reflect the health effects of those minerals, not of carbonation or lack thereof. Such a shame so much of science is performed so sloppily.
December 18, 2008 @ 9:40 pm
I have read that the acidity of carbonated water causes the stomach to attempt to neutralize it by drawing calcium from the blood, which results in calcium being removed from the bones. I drink a lot of Canada Dry sparkling water.
February 1, 2009 @ 6:57 pm
Talking Rain sparkling water is absolutely fabulous. It is USDA Organic, Organic flavors, just enough to not be plain, not like pop at all, plus it’s 100% natural, no calories, no artificial sweeteners and NO sodium!!!!! Its perfect and addicting - since I love my pop, this has steered me from drinking so much (garbage) soda pops! I can only find it at Sams Club.
February 4, 2009 @ 6:04 pm
I recieved a soda water making machine as a Christmas present. You take regular tapwater and add CO2. It is absolutely fabulous! My husband and I love it. It tastes great and has no additives - just water and CO2. We are each drinking about 1-2 liters a day.
Any problems with it other than dental erosion (I do drink mine out of a straw) and calcium delpletion? I have high calcium so I assume I am OK.
February 12, 2009 @ 9:44 am
Meg: you’re totally right. Where is the answer, Dr Briffa?
I quote from Meg: “…Because if so, that usually contains a host of beneficial minerals, and the test would then reflect the health effects of those minerals, not of carbonation or lack thereof”.
So is there any benefits of the mere CO2?
February 13, 2009 @ 1:25 pm
Ibi
Have you actually read the blog post in its entirety?
February 13, 2009 @ 3:31 pm
Actually, potassium chloride is simple salt, much like its cousin, sodium chloride. Potassium chloride is often used as a no-sodium substitute for regular table salt. It also acts as a potassium supplement. All-in-all, having a little potassium chloride in your diet is actually a good thing!
February 26, 2009 @ 3:06 pm
I’ve had spotty skin for years even though im now in my late twenties. I’m trying to stik to a strict diet regimen so would like to know if sparkling water is any better than sodas
March 9, 2009 @ 1:45 pm
Since I began drinking a significant amount of sparkling mineral water on a daily basis, I have dropped about 30 pounds which I had gained after a back surgery. I drink at least a liter to two liters per day, however I have reached my weight goal lost more than I wanted. I will have to stop drinking the waters to see if I can gain a little weight back.
I certainly don’t know if it works this way with everyone, but it certainly worked for me, and I discovered it unintentionally. as I have drank the occasional Perrier for many years, but daily began substituting Perrier and others for my regular water.
March 20, 2009 @ 11:19 am
I’ve been drinking the Schweppes lemon flavored soda water for about a month. I’m no longer addicted to the “diet” drinks! Has anyone tried it?
March 23, 2009 @ 7:14 pm
i drink sparkling water because it isi satisfying, and replaces sweeter, caloric drinks. Is there any research on the low-sodium water, which I drink? It tastes better to me.
my brand contains only 10 mg per 8 oz serving.
March 28, 2009 @ 10:52 pm
My personal experience with drinking more carbonated water in office. i used to take one glass (200ml) after lunch or when ever i feel heavy on my tummy (3 to 4 glasses with separate intervals of time in a day).
while drinking we will feel very relax and enjoy the taste but the problems i faced are.
1. Damaged the teath the white colour become reddish/gray.
2. Increases the blood pressure causes continues pain in heart area.
4. feel put on more weight even though doing exercise.
5. taking more sodium water causes the increase of blood pressure. which may effects failures of kidneys, heatstroke’s …etc.
kindly don’t drink regularly…at most weekly once or twice is ok.
April 8, 2009 @ 4:57 am
I lost my husband 5 weeks ago, and have turned to White Wine as a ‘comfort’. I am drinking 4 or 5 glasses per day, and know it is too many, especially as I have had Nephrotic Syndrome for 35 years now.
Some-one has suggested I put Ice and Soda Water in my glass, about 50/50 with the wine.
Is this a good idea for me?
July 3, 2009 @ 10:06 am
Where can I purchase Vichy Celestine mineral water. I cannot find it since I moved away from New Orleans. Thank you
August 5, 2009 @ 10:50 pm
[...] for digestion, contains silica - a vital trace mineral in the formation of tough bones, and has heart-friendly properties. It’s a great drink for those who just want a little kick in their water or for those who may [...]
September 25, 2009 @ 5:53 am
Yes, please read the entire post before you comment on it. The issues of minerals vs. plain water/carbonation was clearly discussed in the original post.
October 3, 2009 @ 11:47 pm
I consume about 2 litres of soda water a day. I prefer it to water. I rarely if ever drink flavored drinks. I have read the whole blog and it seems to indicate that the consensus is that tooth enamel is the main sufferer. I drink about 3 cups of coffee and one or two of tea apart from my soda water. Am I doing myself any damage? I have strong bones so no problem there.
October 27, 2009 @ 2:27 pm
about a year or so ago i became addicted to perrier (preferably citron flavor). i only drank plain water before, literally only water, but now substitute plain water for sparkling water and i love it! recently though, the past couple of months, i have put on a few pounds and am trying to find the reason why before i put on too much and am wondering if weight gain may be a side effect of only drinking sparkling water?!? i haven’t changed anything else in my diet and exercise regimen that i can think of and just want to find the source. thanks!
October 29, 2009 @ 6:34 am
To the posters wondering about (or suggesting) a link sparkling water and weight gain: the answer is no. If you’re concerned with feeling bloated, it may be that your water isn’t sodium free (try la croix - the lime flavor is great and it is sodium free), but weight gain is a calories in vs. calories out issue and sparkling water is calorie free. The last dietary thing you should blame for weight gain is your calorie-free water!!!
November 4, 2009 @ 2:13 am
I started drinkin San Pellegrino Sparkling Mineral water. Is it healthy to drink daly? I love the tast, If it is bad is there something else out there I should be drinking? Will it make me gain weight if I’m drinking about 2 liters/day?
November 10, 2009 @ 8:13 pm
My only concern is who paid for the study/research that appeared in the Journal of Nutrition???
December 11, 2009 @ 12:48 am
My friend and her family have got me hooked on the Sam’s Club brand sparkling water. I tried to cut out everything and just drink plain water. That didn’t work out so well. Since I have been drinking the sparkling water, I have noticed that my skin has improved. My pores are smaller, and my skin is so much softer. I have also always had little bumps on my upper arms since I was a baby, I have noticed that these are also going away. I am not positive, but I think these are results from the sparkling water. My friends family has also noticed these changes in them too!
January 22, 2010 @ 4:41 am
Is there a danger of getting higher blood pressure from drinking 2 or 3 small bottles of perrier, or other sparkling waters with sodium content?
February 25, 2010 @ 8:36 pm
Forgot to say on a daily basis
February 25, 2010 @ 8:37 pm
As you all know, drinking that stuff really is an acquired taste. Is there any sweetener that is free from all poison in all the sweeteners i know ( Or just any thing else anybody knows out there) that can make sparkling water a little bit more enjoyable? Even the flavoured ones taste gross.
David Mpora
February 27, 2010 @ 9:33 pm
I love the mandarine orange flavor sparkling water from poland spring.I purchase it from My organic market of Rockville.Its calorie free,sodium free,infact everything is 0% and it tastes so good no need for soda.
March 3, 2010 @ 3:58 am
I am hooked on Safeway’s brand of Sparkling Water, lime flavored. I drink up to 80 ounces daily, and nothing tastes better. There is no sodium, no sweetners and no calories. I was never a water drinker before this, so I was glad to hear that there are no “awful” affects from consuming so much. I have not read anywhere in this article, if anyone is experiencing increased flatulence.
March 11, 2010 @ 12:29 am