Most individuals would assume that due to the low number of calories and artificial additives, sparkling water and seltzer water are considerably healthier alternatives to soda. The low sugar content pushes it above many juices and recovery drinks such as Gatorade or Powerade. However, Sophie Egan’s article in the New York Times, Does Sparkling Water Have a Downside, questions this healthy alternative1. The first question posed is the risks of sparkling water contributing to low bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoporosis. In Tucker et al.’s study on the effects of coca cola and other carbonated beverages on low BMD, results showed only coca cola – regular, diet and non-caffeinated (albeit lower for the latter two types) – was associated with a decrease BMD in men and women who consumed more than one coca cola per month3. Other carbonated beverages, such as the essentially carbonated water that is seltzer and sparkling, showed no effects on bone mineral density or association with osteoporosis development3.
However, this leads to the second question. Sparkling water may not be correlated with detrimental effects on bone, but does its low pH (acidity) lead to a degradation of tooth enamel? Reddy et al., in a study on 379 United States beverages and their pH levels, established three classifications for beverage acidity (extremely erosive, erosive, and minimally erosive)2. Sparkling water, plain without any additions, has a pH level of 5, which classifies it as minimally erosive, and hence not a danger to tooth enamel erosion1. Yet, where individuals need to be careful is with adding citric flavors, such as lemon or lime, to their sparkling water. The natural acidity in these fruits can increase the pH levels and consequently decrease the healthy benefits of drinking a sparkling water over a carbonated soda.
Two additional comments Egan makes on the downside of sparkling water involve essential minerals. Drinking bottled sparkling water eliminates the benefits of the fluoridation process of tap water. Also, avoid making the mistake of confusing seltzer and sparkling water with club soda. These are not the same, as the latter includes a large amount of added sodium, which is already consumed in a larger than healthy amount among most Americans.
All in all, Egan utilizes two decently coordinated studies to effectively, and accurately, provide a better-rounded view on the health benefits, and risks, of consuming sparkling water. This media piece provides useful information that many individuals may have been unaware of, as they chose sparkling water with fruit flavorings over sodas in an attempt to make a healthier beverage selection.
1Egan, S. (16 September 2016). Does Sparkling Water Have a Downside? New York Times. Retrieved September 18, 2016 from http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/09/16/does-sparkling-water-have-a-downside/?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fhealth&action=click&contentCollection=health®ion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=9&pgtype=sectionfront.
2Reddy, A., et al. (2016). The pH of Beverages in the United States. American Dental Association. Retrieved September 18, 2016 from http://www.ada.org/en/~/media/ADA/Public%20Programs/Files/JADA_The%20pH%20of%20beverages%20in%20the%20United%20States.
3Tucker, K., et al. (2006). Colas, but not other carbonated beverages, are associated with low bone mineral density in older women: The Framingham Osteoporosis Study. American Society for Clinical Nutrition. Retrieved September 18, 2016 from http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/84/4/936.