Is it bad to drink sparkling water everyday

Sparkling water is all the rage these days. Case in point: SodaStream, which allows users to make their own sparkling water out of water from the tap, was sold to Pepsi in 2018 for $3.2 billion (via CNBC).

Plain sparkling water sales in the United States have jumped from $1.82 billion in 2015 to $2.74 billion in 2019 and are expected to continue to rise (via Statistica). Flavored sparkling water sales rose as well from $1.75 billion in 2015 to $3.05 billion in 2019. Many people guzzle sparkling water because it doesn't contain any calories or sweeteners like juice or sugar. But too much of anything can have an impact on health, even if it's something as innocuous as water. Here is a look at what will happen if you drink sparkling water every day.

Your teeth will be fine

Representatives from the National Beverage Corporation responded to the lawsuit by saying the claims were false and that the popular beverage follows the FDA's definition of “natural,” which means nothing artificial or synthetic has been added.

The case was dismissed in February 2020 after a third-party lab could not prove that certain ingredients in the beverage were derived from artificial sources, because the ingredients could have been derived naturally, according to Business Insider.

Data on PubChem, a public chemical compound database maintained by the National Institutes of Health, shows that limonene is a chemical found naturally in the oil of citrus peels. “It is commonly used to provide a lemon flavor and aroma to food,” says Shannon Henry, RDN, a registered dietitian with EZCareClinic in San Francisco. Linalool comes from mint, herbs, and citrus fruits, and linalool propionate, which is found in ginger, is used for its scent and flavor and doesn’t seem to pose a threat to humans.

“Linalool and linalool propionate, also known as linalyl propionate, are natural too and derived from plants,” Henry says. “Despite the fact that linalool is used as an insect repellent, this doesn't mean that it's toxic for human beings.”

When companies do add artificial flavors to sparkling water, it is often in the form of artificial sweeteners. Nonnutritive sweeteners can go by the names aspartame, acesulfame-K, neotame, saccharin, sucralose, and stevia, according to the FDA.

RELATED: Is Halo Top Ice Cream Healthy? What to Know if You’re on a Diet

The Truth About Sparkling Water and Its Effect on Your Health

The LaCroix lawsuit isn't the only time sparkling water has come under fire. Myths have persisted about the fizzy beverage, including the claim that sparkling water can erode tooth enamel. A study published in April 2016 in the Journal of the American Dental Association collected data on the pH levels of 379 beverages and found that Perrier carbonated mineral water had low erosion potential, while S. Pellegrino sparkling natural mineral water had slightly more. They clocked a 5.25 pH and 4.96 pH respectively, whereas Coca-Cola had a 2.37 pH (a low pH indicates a higher erosion potential; still water is a neutral 7 pH). So while sparkling water is not as safe for your smile as still water is, it’s not nearly as risky as regular soda or juice — plus, it’s free from added sugars, which contribute to dental decay, as shown in an Oxford Journal of Public Health study published in September 2018.

Then there was the concern that carbonated beverages could lead to weight gain. In one rodent study, levels of the hunger hormone ghrelin increased after consumption of carbonated drinks. That study, however, which was published in the September–October 2017 issue of the journal Obesity Research and Clinical Practice, faced the criticism that findings in rats don’t necessarily translate to humans, and other research has found that sparkling water may actually have the opposite effect on appetite and weight. Researchers at the University of Chicago School of Medicine found that carbonated water helped temporarily keep participants full, according to a paper published in the journal Nutritional Science and Vitaminology.

A sparkling water habit may also lead to weight loss by promoting hydration. Proper hydration helps with weight management because the body can't accurately differentiate between hunger and thirst, according to UChicago Medicine. You can often quench that feeling of hunger by drinking water. The one reason you may not want to drink sparkling water is if you’re prone to stomach trouble. “The only time I would tell somebody not to have sparkling water is if they have any kind of GI issue,” says Kaufman, adding that the bubbles can lead to feeling bloated or gassy and can worsen the heartburn associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease. “In that case, your best bet is sticking to flat water.”

What to Consider When Choosing a Sparkling Water

These days, sparkling water comes in nearly every flavor under the sun. Kaufman says when selecting one, it’s a good idea to examine the ingredient list and watch out for the artificial sweeteners listed above. “Look for brands that use natural flavors and carbonated water only,” she says. Spindrift ($26 for a 24-pack, Shop.drinkspindrift.com) is a good option — it contains real squeezed fruit, Henry says.

The Bottom Line

Let’s face it — bubbles make water more fun to drink. And the major benefit of drinking sparkling water is that it helps you meet your hydration needs. “Drinking plenty of water every day is important for many reasons: to regulate body temperature, keep joints healthy, prevent infection, supply essential nutrients to the cells, and for the maintenance of the normal function of the body,” Henry says. “If you hydrate yourself well, it will enhance the quality of your sleep, cognitive strength, and mood.”

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