Carbonated Water and Weight Loss

You can replace soda with carbonated water.

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Carbonated water has emerged as a healthy, calorie-free alternative to soft drinks. It quenches your thirst, fills you up quickly and keeps you hydrated. On top of that, most brands contain trace minerals that support health and well-being.

What you may not know is that this bubbly beverage can make weight loss easier. The carbon dioxide in sparkling water suppresses appetite due to its satiating effect, which in turn, may help reduce your daily food intake.

It’s no secret that soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages can damage the tooth enamel, cause weight gain and affect metabolic health. According to a recent review published in ​Current Diabetes Reports​ in April 2018, American children consume twice as many calories from sports drinks, energy drinks and cola as they did 30 years ago. These beverages play a major role in the onset of diabetes and obesity. Diet soda isn’t healthier either.

Carbonated water, on the other hand, is calorie-free and contains no artificial ingredients. Several varieties exist, including sparkling mineral water, club soda and seltzer. Sparkling mineral water, for example, contains minerals and trace elements that come from an underground source, as the Food and Drug Administration notes. Other types of carbonated water are infused with carbon dioxide — that’s where the bubbles come from.

Most varieties contain small amounts of zinc, copper, calcium and sodium. Here are some examples:

As you see, carbonated water has little nutritional value. Some varieties, such as seltzer water, contain no vitamins and minerals at all. The primary difference between them is the source of carbonation.

Beware that many brands contain artificial flavors, citric acid and added sugar. These beverages are no better than soda. Plain carbonated water is the healthiest option.

Whether you call it club soda, mineral water, soda water or seltzer, carbonated water is a healthy substitute for soda. First of all, it has no calories or carbs. You can drink as much as you want without having to worry about your waistline. Plus, it contains carbon dioxide gases, leaving you feeling full.

A small study published in the ​Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology​ in February 2012 assessed the effects of carbonated water on appetite and cardiac activity. Women who consumed this beverage experienced a greater increase in heart rate compared to those drinking plain water. They also reported enhanced feelings of fullness within 40 minutes of drinking carbonated water. The study, however, included only 19 women, so it cannot be considered definitive.

Little research exists on the relationship between club soda and weight loss. Most studies indicate that swapping water for soft drinks may help prevent weight gain and obesity. Club soda, seltzer and other similar beverages are nothing but water with bubbles. Therefore, they have similar effects on hydration status and body weight as plain water.

For example, a large-scale study published in the journal ​Nutrients​ in October 2016 has found that replacing one serving of beer or soda with one serving of water may aid in weight loss and reduce obesity risk. As the scientists note, both alcoholic beverages and sugar-sweetened beverages contain empty calories and have little or no nutritional value. Surprisingly, milk and other dairy products are not associated with weight gain despite their relatively high sugar content.

In August 2017, the journal ​Nutrients​ published a review on the relationship between mineral water and diabetes. In a six-month study, participants with obesity who substituted two caloric beverages per day with water experienced a major reduction in fasting blood sugar levels and an increase in water intake.

Two clinical trials discussed in the ​Nutrients​ review found that women with overweight and obesity who replaced one daily serving of diet beverages with water lost more weight while on a diet. Their insulin sensitivity improved, too.

Other studies cited in the above review indicate that carbonated bicarbonate-rich water may help reduce certain glycemic parameters, such as fasting insulin, fasting plasma glucose levels, glycoalbumin and serum fructosamine. It’s important to note that most studies were small, so the results may not be conclusive.

As mentioned earlier, some mineral waters contain trace minerals like zinc and magnesium. The ​Nutrients​ review reported that, in clinical trials, additional magnesium intake improved glucose metabolism in subjects with insulin resistance or pre-diabetes.

This shows that magnesium deficiency may contribute to diabetes and metabolic disturbances. Mineral water consumption can help increase your magnesium levels and improve diabetes symptoms. The research is mixed, though, so take these findings with a grain of salt.

What about the disadvantages of sparkling water? Is this beverage really safe? Again, most studies that have been carried out report mixed results.

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), carbonated drinks — including sparkling water — are safe for your teeth. In a study that compared regular lab water and sparkling mineral water, both beverages had the same effect on the tooth enamel. However, beware that citrus-flavored carbonated water is more acidic and can affect oral health.

Anecdotal evidence says that sparkling water and carbonated water, in general, can damage your stomach. This is just another myth that refuses to die. A January 2014 meta-analysis published in the ​Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews​ showed that carbonated water is more beneficial than tap water for constipation relief in stroke victims.

You’ve probably heard that carbonated water depletes calcium from bones, which may lead to osteoporosis. Nothing could be further from the truth.

While it’s true that cola may affect bone mineral density, non-cola carbonated beverages don’t have this effect. The researchers at Harvard Health Publishing state that seltzer water consumption doesn’t increase the risk of fractures or osteoporosis. Cola, on the other hand, may contribute to these disorders due to its caffeine content.

The only downside of drinking carbonated water is that you may experience bloating. If you experience heartburn, plain water is a better choice. Caffeine, alcohol and carbonated beverages may worsen heartburn in those with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), as the Cleveland Clinic points out.

All in all, carbonated water is a healthy choice for most dieters. Use it as a substitute for diet cola, soft drinks and other sugary beverages. Mix it with fresh lemon juice and add a few mint sprigs to enhance its flavor.