Analysis: all you need to know about the side benefits around your choice of H2O
By Christian Moro and Charlotte Phelps, Bond University
Still or sparkling? It's a question you'll commonly hear in a café or restaurant and you probably have a preference. But is there any difference for your health? If you love the fizz, here's why you don't have to pass on the sparkling water.
What makes my water sparkle?
This article specifically focuses on comparing still filtered water to carbonated filtered water (called "sparkling water" or "unflavoured seltzer"). Soda water, mineral water, tonic water and flavoured water are similar, but not the same product.
The bubbles in sparkling water are created by adding carbon dioxide to filtered water. It reacts to produce carbonic acid, which makes sparkling water more acidic (a pH of about 3.5) than still (closer to neutral, with a pH around 6.5-8.5).
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From RTÉ 2fm, dietician Orla Walsh's guide to water and hydration
Which drink is the healthiest?
Water is the best way to hydrate our bodies. Research shows when it comes to hydration, still and sparkling water are equally effective.
Some people believe water is healthier when it comes from a sealed bottle, but tap water is monitored very carefully in places like Australia. Unlike bottled water, tap water also has the added benefit of fluoride, which can help protect young children against tooth decay and cavities. Sparkling or still water is always better than artificially sweetened flavoured drinks or juices.
Isn't soda water bad for my teeth and bones?
There's no evidence that sparkling water damages your bones. While drinking a lot of soft drinks is linked to increased fractures, this is largely due to their association with higher rates of obesity.
Sparkling water is more acidic than still water, and acidity can soften the teeth's enamel. Usually this is not something to be too worried about, unless it is mixed with sugar or citrus, which has much higher levels of acidity and can harm teeth.
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From RTÉ Brainstorm, how much water should I drink daily?
However, if you grind your teeth often, the softening could enhance the damage it causes. If you're undertaking a home whitening process, sparkling water might discolour your teeth. In most other cases, it would take a lot of sparkling water to pass by the teeth, for a long period of time, to cause any noticeable damage.
How does drinking water affect digestion?
There is a misconception that drinking water (of any kind) with a meal is bad for digestion. While theoretically water could dilute stomach acid (which breaks down food), the practice of drinking it doesn't appear to have any negative effect. Your digestive system simply adapts to the consistency of the meal.
Some people do find that carbonated beverages cause some stomach upset. This is due to the build-up of gases, which can cause bloating, cramping and discomfort. For people with an overactive bladder, the acidity might also aggravate the urinary system. Interestingly, the fizzy "buzz" you feel in your mouth from sparkling water fades the more you drink it.
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From RTÉ Archives, Alasdair Jackson reports for RTÉ News in 1987 on the rivalry between Tipperary Spring Water and Ballygowan for the international market
Is cold water harder to digest?
You've chosen still or sparkling water, but what about its temperature? There are surprisingly few studies about the effect of drinking cold water compared to room temperature. There is some evidence that colder water (at two degrees Celsius) might inhibit gastric contractions and slow down digestion. Ice water may constrict blood vessels and cause cramping.
However, other research suggests drinking cold water might temporarily boost metabolism, as the body needs to expend energy to warm it up to body temperature. This effect is minimal and unlikely to lead to significant weight loss.
Which water wins?
The bottom line is that water is essential, hydrates us and has countless other health benefits. Water, with carbonated bubbles or without, will always be the healthiest drink to choose.
And if you're concerned about any impact to teeth enamel, one trick is to follow sparkling water with a glass of still. This helps rinse the teeth and return your mouth's acidity back to normal.
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Christian Moro is Associate Professor of Science & Medicine at Bond University, Charlotte Phelps is Senior Teaching Fellow, Medical Program at Bond University. This article was originally published by The Conversation.
The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ
