TOsparkling water, yes or no? In fact, there are still some doubts surrounding this variant: is it true that it swells? Can everyone drink it? Does it quench more? Does it make you lose weight? And above all, can it create any problems? Some of these hesitations may hide the truth, others are real myths. It’s better to clarify.
Sparkling water has always been at the center of a heated debate
It’s habit. Those who prefer natural water and those who couldn’t do without the one with “bubbles”. And, in this case, there are “bubbles and bubbles”. Why not all sparkling waters are the same. There are more carbonated ones and less carbonated ones, as well as naturally effervescent brands and those to which CO2 is added during processing. To this, we then add “hearsay”, the myths that mix with the truth and generate confusion. It is therefore better to dispel all doubts.
«From a caloric point of view, nothing changes and there are no clinical studies or scientific evidence that demonstrates that drinking sparkling water compared to natural water is harmful to your health. Therefore, even if you are on a diet, you can continue to drink sparkling wateralso because it has the same caloric intake as the natural one and gives a greater sense of satiety, unlike the natural one” explains the Dr. Alessandra Oca, Nutritionist Biologist and Pharmacist at the Aesthe Medica clinic in Ferrara. Another detail not to be underestimated, especially for those who tend to drink little, is that compared to the smooth one carbonated water can have a more thirst-quenching effect and, for some palates, be more interesting in taste, thus making it easier to drink and pushing them to drink more and be more hydrated.
Sparkling or natural effervescent?
However, when we talk about water “with bubbles” it is necessary to make a basic distinction: «The bubbles present in sparkling water are due to the presence of CO2 dissolved in the water. Carbon dioxide can be present naturally or added. In the first case we talk about natural effervescent waters that flow from the source already sparkling. Some of these were already known and appreciated since ancient times, as Pliny the Elder describes in his Naturalis Historia. Other waters, however, have carbon dioxide added during packaging through industrial processes. The latter we can identify as “carbonated waters” generally contain a greater quantity of CO2 which makes them decidedly more sparkling and therefore generally more appreciated in terms of taste and thirst-quenching effect.
Can sparkling water be bad for you?
Generally not, sparkling water does not create any problems, even during pregnancy. Unless you already have gastrointestinal problems. For example, if you already suffer from acidity, heartburn or reflux, then this type of water can encourage the problem. Furthermore, «same thing if you already suffer from intestinal disorders, such as persistent aerophagia and meteorism, the excess of bubbles causes dilation of the gastric walls resulting in abdominal swelling, which is why those suffering from these disorders should avoid them.”
In these cases, therefore, how to do it? «If you are a lover of sparkling water and don’t want to give up, you like this you can focus on natural effervescent waters. This is naturally rich in essential minerals, such as calcium, magnesium and potassium, which the water has acquired by flowing between the rocks for a long time. This highly bioavailable natural enrichment for the cells of the human body is fundamental for maintaining a correct water-salt balance, the light effervescence also gives a digestive effect without incurring the unpleasant accumulation of intestinal gas. If you are looking for a nutritional plus furthermore, you should then focus on those rich in siliconwhich take care of the health of skin, hair and nails. The rich ones instead of magnesium and sulfates they have a slight laxative effect while the waters rich in calcium and carbonate for bone health and low in sodium for a light diuretic effect.”
A myth to dispel about sparkling water? «Which can be harmful to tooth enamel due to the greater degree of acidity given by carbon dioxide. It’s absolutely not true” concludes the expert.