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I drink a lot of unsweetened mineral water. Does this have the same health benefits as drinking regular water?
There’s still water, and then there’s what my 4-year-old son calls “spicy water,” more commonly known as mineral water or mineral water. Crisp, bubbly and effervescent, carbonated water has become a daily ritual for many. Growing segment of the beverage industry with annual sales exceeding $4 billion in the United States.
For those who are bored, carbonated water offers a sensory experience that plain water can’t: Pull back the tab on the can and you’ll hear a satisfying crunch. The whispering sound of opening the bottle cap to pour yourself a glass. A tingling sensation when the drink hits your tongue, sometimes with a hint of “natural” flavor.
Still water is great for hydration, but “but you’d be surprised at the number of people who don’t like the taste and don’t want to drink it,” said Anne Linge, MD, a registered dietitian-nutritionist at the University of Washington Medical Center. Seattle. “Adding carbonation can make it more acceptable.”
Maybe more acceptable, but also healthy?
Nutritionists agree that carbonated water (a category that includes artificially carbonated mineral water and naturally sparkling water) is just as hydrating as regular water, but tap water has the added benefit of fluoride, which helps prevent tooth decay.
“If you use fluoridated water for brushing your teeth, cooking, and part of your fluid intake, you can also add mineral water to your diet,” said Ms. Linge.
But remember that carbonated water is more acidic in our mouth than plain water.
Bubbly water contains carbon dioxide, which turns into carbonic acid when mixed with saliva, lowering your mouth’s pH level. The pH scale indicates whether a solution is more acidic (low pH) or alkaline (high pH). Drinks with a lower pH can be abrasive to the teeth, making them more susceptible to cavities; however, unsweetened carbonated water is not as abrasive as soda or fruit juice. 2016 study It was published in the Journal of the American Dental Association.
Some brands of carbonated water contain ingredients like citric acid for flavor that can raise the acid level. Adding your own lemon or lime wedges will have a similar effect. And since the ingredient list will often refer to “natural flavor” hard to know what exactly was added.
Even so, an associate professor at the Harvard School of Dentistry, Dr. Brittany Seymour said, “It would have to be consumed quite a lot throughout the day to have harmful effects similar to what we see with juice or soda.” Spokesperson for the American Dental Association.
Bottom line: Since carbonated water still has the potential to be corrosive, think of it as a once-daily treatment rather than your main water source, Dr. Seymour.
“If you want to drink two or three mineral waters a day, maybe pair them with a meal,” she added.
When you eat, your mouth produces additional saliva that can help neutralize the acids on the surface of your teeth.
If you prefer to drink alone without eating – Dr. Seymour usually drinks unsweetened mineral water while he cooks dinner – use a straw to help the water get past your teeth. In general, try not to sip for more than an hour. Drinking carbonated water for a long time prolongs the exposure time of your teeth to acidity.
If you like fizzy water and enjoy drinking it several times a day without food, consider brushing your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste to prevent tooth decay. Dr. “Make sure you wait at least 30 minutes after your last drink,” Seymour said.
Why? The acidity of carbonated water softens tooth enamel. Taking a break gives your enamel a chance to remineralize and return to its normal hardened state, which is the ideal surface for brushing because it can better tolerate abrasives, he added.
If you have kids who also like to dive into sparkling water, “I would say overall it’s fine,” said Dr. Seymour. However, he added, “I wouldn’t do it every day with my daughter.” Ideally, parents should encourage their children to drink fluoridated water to protect against cavities and reserve mineral water for special occasions.
Fizzy drinks can also contribute to gas and bloating, but the degree varies from person to person.
“When you swallow the carbonation, it has to come out from somewhere, so you either burp it or pass gas,” said Courtney Schuchmann, a registered dietitian who specializes in gastrointestinal health at the Medical University of Chicago. “If you’re someone who already has gas and bloating issues, this may cause more symptoms for you.”
Carbonation can also worsen acid reflux and have a “filling effect” that can reduce your appetite by causing bloating in your stomach, she added.
Whatever type of water you prefer, Ms. Schuchmann said she aims to drink about half your body weight in ounces each day, which is mostly plain water. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, you should drink about 75 ounces of water to stay hydrated.
Another thing to keep in mind: Many people assume that soda and sparkling water are interchangeable, but club soda often contains sodium.
“For someone who monitors their blood pressure, this is something to consider,” said Ms. Schuchmann. “It depends on what the rest of your diet looks like and how much sodium comes from other sources.”
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