Is there anything better than a nice glass of cold sparkling water on a hot Australian day? There is nothing more refreshing than bubbles that bring a tickle to the nose. People often pick sparkling water as a good alternative to sugar laden soft drinks and fizzy drinks. Pop a slice of lemon in it, some mixed berries, or some mango, and you have a refreshing treat on your hands. But questions have been raised over recent years about whether or not sparkling water is actually good for you. We have done the hard work for you and we think you’ll be interested to read the findings from our research.
What is sparkling water?
Sparkling water is water that has been infused with carbon dioxide gas under pressure. It is also known as carbonated water, club soda, soda water or fizzy water. Sparkling water usually has a small amount of salt added to it to improve the taste. Sometimes they add minerals too.
Natural sparkling mineral waters are different again. These types of waters are captured from a mineral spring and are often carbonated as well.
The pH of carbonated water is usually 3 to 4, which means that it is highly acidic. The acidity of sparkling water is what generally raises concern for people.
Does it affect dental health?
In recent years, this has been one of the biggest concerns raised about sparkling water. Does it affect your teeth?
While this notion seems to be a widely accepted truth, very little research has actually been done on the topic. Recent studies have shown that acidic drinks such as sparkling water do have an effect on tooth enamel, however the effect is minimal.
Where carbonated beverages seem to have an effect on dental health and hygiene, is when they contain sugar. And we all know how terrible sugar is for our teeth.
What are the benefits of drinking sparkling water?
Drinking carbonated drinks, such as sparkling water may lead to an increased feeling of fullness, which may help to curb the amount of food you eat. This is particularly helpful for people who may like to overindulge a little.
Sparkling water is a much better alternative to drinking soft drink and fruit juices. Add different fruits and vegetables to it to change the flavour. We love to add lime and mint to ours for a refreshing summer zing. The combinations are endless. Grapes and berries are another favourite combination of ours.
People often reach for flavoured sparkling mineral waters and flavoured sparkling waters in the belief that they are making a healthier and more natural choice. They are packaged to make you believe they are the healthier and more sensible option. Often these drinks will contain just as much sugar as their counterpart’s lemonade and cola. Check the label of what you are drinking, we think you might be surprised!
We suggest you try making sparkling water yourself from fresh filtered water, it is delicious without all the added salts. Investing in a Soda Stream or similar appliance will, in the long run, be so much cheaper than buying expensive bottled water, not to mention the positive impact it will have on the planet by purchasing less plastic.
Can carbonated drink affect your bone health?
Many people believe that drinking carbonated drinks such as sparkling water regularly, has an effect on your bone health. While this has been proven in carbonated drinks that contain sugar, sparkling water and the like appear to have no affect on bone health and mineral density.
So is sparkling water bad for you?
Research suggests that no, sparkling water is not bad for you and has no detrimental impact on our health. It is not really harmful to dental health or bone health.
The verdict!
Enjoy sparkling water as an alternative to soft drink and sugary fizzy drinks. But as we always say, plain drinking water should be your main drink and source of hydration.
Want to taste the best filtered water that is as close to rainwater as you can get? Call Waterchoice today and have a 5 stage reverse osmosis water filtration installed for only $15 per week. It will be one of the beat decisions you ever make for your health.
We have local service representatives throughout Western Australia to assist you with your drinking water needs:
- Broome
- Dampier
- Geraldton
- Karratha
- Kununurra
- Newman
- Onslow
- Pannawonica
- Perth
- Port Hedland
- South Hedland
- Tom Price.
Don’t see your town listed above? Get in touch, we may still be able to assist you.
Looking for a water filtration system, or need further information or advice about your drinking water? Call us on 0419 964 225, email info@waterchoice.com.au, or click the Contact Us tab now.
« back to current articles