Sparkling Water May Not Be As Good For You As You Think
Plain water is probably still your best bet.
Emma Prestwich— The Huffington Post Canada
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We're all hooked on sparkling water, but apparently there are downsides to that too.
Many of us have switched to Perrier or club soda in lieu of pop, but both the carbonation and the sodium content could still be bad news for your health.
And that acid can slowly wear away your tooth enamel, Chicago dentist Dr. Gene Romo, who is also a consumer advisor for the American Dental Association, told Today.
On the plus side, soda water tends to be less acidic than pop, found Atlantic writer Olga Khazan, as long as you leave out the flavourings.
A 2001 study also found that sparkling water had a much lower impact on dental erosion than drinks like Coke.
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But it's somehow way more satisfying than regular water!
But club soda in particular also often has high levels of sodium, which won't help quench your thirst. One 473 ml bottle contains around 100 milligrams of sodium — which is 15 per cent of the daily recommended intake for an adult 14 to 50 years old.
Those bubbles that make it so refreshing can also cause stomach issues like bloating or gas, and make acid reflux worse, gastroenterologist Dr Simon Anderson told the Daily Mail.
One common belief about carbonated water can at least be debunked — turns out there's no evidence that it contributes to osteoporosis by stopping your body from absorbing calcium.
But if you're worried about your teeth in particular, dentist Dr. Mark Burhenne says San Pellegrino has a more neutral pH level than Perrier. He also suggests eating foods like cheese, fruits and vegetables and even licorice to build strong, healthy chompers.
ALSO ON HUFFPOST
Tricks To Drink More Water
Make It A Morning Habit(01 of10)
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The trick to this is pouring yourself a glass of water before bed and then drinking it as soon as you get up. Even if the thought of pouring water down your throat right away feels overwhelming, try it for four days in a row and see if you don't start doing it automatically after that.
Give Yourself Reminders(02 of10)
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There's are plenty of apps out there to keep track of your water intake, if you like that kind of reminder (Daily Water Free, picture here, is a favourite). But a another option is to set an alarm on your phone or calendar to remind you to drink every two hours or so.
Drink Tea (Or Coffee)(03 of10)
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Yes, that's right — your caffeinated (or decaf, if you're so inclined) morning beverage also has plenty of water in it, so you can include that in your count. According to WebMD, their diuretic effects do not take away from also hydrating you.
Buy A Nice Water Bottle(04 of10)
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There's no science here, just pure superficiality that somehow still works. If you have a nicer water bottle, you may just be more inclined to use it. We love this Lifefactory glass option that holds one-quarter of your daily water intake in one go!
Eat Your Water(05 of10)
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There are plenty of fruits and veggies that contain a fair amount of water, including cucumbers, iceberg lettuce, watermelon (obviously), strawberries, grapefruit, zucchini, radish and celery. Plus, of course, the many other nutrients this produce contains.
Keep A Lot Of Water Nearby(06 of10)
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When you're bogged down at work, even the 20-foot walk to the kitchen can feel too far, so set yourself up for the day with a big bottle — or even a pitcher — in the morning so you can dip into it all day.
Put Fruit In It(07 of10)
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We know, you've heard enough about "infusing" your water to last you a lifetime. But it really does make it taste better — and has the bonus effect of even more water, if you use some of those hydrating foods we mentioned. Some other good options: kiwi, lemon, strawberries or grapes.
Eat A (Homemade) Popsicle(08 of10)
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It's so easy to make ice pops at home — all you need is a mold, some water, and the fruit of your choice. That way, you get to control what goes in it (i.e. the sugar), eat a delicious snack, and you're upping your water intake at the same time. Check out these recipes for homemade popsicles at Real Simple.
Go One For One(09 of10)
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No one's expecting you to give up other drinks entirely in lieu of water, either sugar-filled or alcoholic. Instead, make yourself a deal — for every "other" kind of drink you have, drink a glass of water.
Do It Post-Brush(10 of10)
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If you've gotten out of the habit of rinsing out your mouth after brushing your teeth, now's the time to start setting that glass by your sink again. A rinse, a refill, then a few gulps — and like that, you're hydrated before bed.
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