Whether it’s mixed into a delicious mocktail or sipped solo, carbonated water in all its forms is more popular than ever, according to beverage industry reports. Why has it taken our tastebuds by storm? How healthy is it?
When most people think of a fizzy drink, they think of soda first: Enter seltzer. Patricia Hertz, registered dietitian with Adventist HealthCare, said seltzer water is a good option if you’re looking to move away from sugary beverages to no-calorie substitutes that keep the bubbles.
Also, she notes that soda includes phosphoric acid and caffeine, which can weaken your bones.
“You don’t get as many of the other ingredients and colors when you have the seltzer water,” Patricia said.
Although seltzer is a dietary upgrade from soda, there are a few things to keep in mind when drinking it.
The carbonic acid which gives seltzer its bubbles raise the pH levels in your mouth and can affect your dental health. Patricia recommends that you rinse your mouth right after drinking seltzer to lessen your risk of cavities and other dental conditions. Carbonic acid could also cause problems in your digestive system.
“If you’re predisposed to having GERD or constant heartburn, carbonated drinks may not be the right choice for you,” she said.
As with soda, you should steer clear of seltzers that use artificial sweeteners. Patricia suggests naturally flavored beverages.
“I would say the gold standard would be to drink the seltzers that have the flavorings without the added sugar substitutes,” she said.
So, is drinking seltzer good for you? Patricia thinks so. She’s happy people are drinking less soda and more water, carbonated or not. She notes dehydration can cause issues such as fatigue and mood changes, making water in all its forms important for your physical and mental health.
“I would love for everybody to remember to just always hydrate, whether you’re hydrating with seltzer water, flat water, tap water or spring water.”
Check out healthy eating tips and recipes on our “Living Well” blog at AHCYou.com/W26Blog.
Unsweetened sparkling water contains zero calories, and 0g total sugar, total fat, and total carbohydrates.
