…or, bubbly water!
When a patient tells me they drink four cans of seltzer water daily, we usually have a talk.
While four 16-ounce cans of seltzer water is technically meeting the 64-ounces-a-day general goal, it can actually cause some other stuff to happen in the body. This can be confusing, because isn’t water, well, water?
The thing is, carbonation (such as in seltzer, club soda, and other fizzy/bubbly water drinks) introduces a variant into the water that affects how your body handles the water, and it can also cause other effects in the body.
Here’s some of the less-desirable effects of that bubbly water:
- Gas
- Bloating
- Burping
- Dilution of digestive “juices”, meaning it’s harder for your body to break down food
- Reduced absorption of nutrients, given that your digestion is altered and food isn’t broken down as well
- That feeling of “indigestion”
This isn’t meant to paint seltzer in a bad light; rather, to be aware of its effects and plan accordingly. If you know you’re experiencing any of the above issues, why not try swapping the bubbly water for flat water for a week and see how you feel? (You can add all sorts of things to flat water to make it tastier too, like frozen raspberries, basil, cucumber slices, a squeeze of orange, etc.)
You could also consider having seltzer at times when you’re not going to be eating for a couple hours. Or, you could save it for the weekend so it doesn’t impact your digestion on a daily basis.
If you must have the fizzy, try choosing mineral water – it tends to have smaller bubbles and contains small amounts of minerals for an added plus.
Another bonus with choosing non-fizzy water: it’s less expensive.
(Note: Everyone is at a different place with their hydration status and beverage consumption status – talk with your doc as to your own concerns.)
This blog and website do not provide medical advice. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied on to make decisions about your health. Always check with your own healthcare provider before taking a new supplement and before making any significant diet, lifestyle, exercise or other changes. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on this site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.