by: Ashleigh Papp

I can’t recall the first time I had bubbly water — neither of my parents drank it, and as kids we were limited to water, milk and Kool Aid year-round. So I’ll never forget the first time I visited Europe in my early teens and was asked, “Sparkling or still?” I didn’t have the gusto to try something so new all those years ago, and stuck with what I knew — “Still please.” It took me many years to warm up to the idea of trying this bubbly beverage, but I eventually decided to branch out and give it a taste.

Now, I find myself hooked on these crisp, light, sparkling beverages. In a can, in a bottle, or from a stream, I’ll take it any way I can get it. A pre-chilled can of this liquid gold not only quenches my thirst, especially during the hot and dry summer months, but also leaves a remarkably refreshed feeling that doesn’t seem possible with still water. And these days, I’m not alone. . . a 43% increase was seen in canned sparkling water purchased in the United States between 2017 and 2018. As sparkling water has become one of my top beverage choices for the season, I find myself wondering about the ramifications of opting for bubbles instead of still. We all know that water is an important resource that must be consumed everyday. So, if I’m opting to guzzle this sparkling liquid more frequently than still water, am I doing anything wrong or harmful to myself in the long run. . .  Is this newfound addiction good, bad or somewhere in between? I decided to find out.

Sparkling water, or carbon dioxide-infused water, has been around for quite some time. In 1772, an official declaration of carbonated water was shared by a man named Joseph Priestley in England. At the time, bubbly water wasn’t even close to what we know it as today, but even then, he knew it was something special. In the paper, he noted a “peculiar satisfaction” upon drinking. It’s quite an accurate way to describe the effects of an ice cold grapefruit-flavored La Croix (officially labelled as “pamplemousse”) on a hot day! Not even ten years after it’s official discovery, sparkling water began to be mass produced and enjoyed by all.

Water has always been a crucial element to our survival as humans. And with our bodies being made up of at least 60% water, it’s not all that surprising that whether you opt for still or sparkling, the necessity to drink water and stay hydrated is important. Here are a few bodily things that water plays an essential role in:

• In the brain, water is used to manufacture hormones and neurotransmitters.
• Throughout the body, water helps to regulate core body temperature and transport oxygen.
• In the spinal cord and joints, water acts as a shock absorber.
• With water, the body’s cells are able to thrive and reproduce.

Once a gulp of water is swallowed, it passes from our esophagus to the stomach and then into the small intestine. This all happens pretty easily in comparison to food, which follows the same path but must first be broken down by enzymes and mechanical force to a more easily digested size. Depending on how thirsty for water your body is, some may begin to be absorbed in the stomach, although most happens in the small intestine. And because water is a smaller and simpler molecule, it passes through the absorptive membranes of your digestive tract using minimal energy by diffusing into your bloodstream to be dispersed throughout your body.

And sparkling water, which is made up of water, carbon dioxide, and carbonic acid, is absorbed in a similar fashion. The only difference, according to Dr. Ashlee Bakirci-Taylor, a Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist, is that the bubbling beverage may cause added bloating or belching to remove the added carbon dioxide gas. “By the time the liquid reaches the intestines and the absorption process begins, the sparkling water is already indistinguishable from water drunk from other sources,” she explained.

The added gases in its consumer’s stomach can leave one feeling fuller than they actually are. For some, this can be an added benefit to choosing sparkling, but regardless of your preference, it’s something to be aware of as temperatures are on the rise. “This might mean that you eat less but you may also drink less,” said Tiffany Weir, an Associate Professor at the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at Colorado State University. “You might not be able to drink as much sparkling water as you could still water, which could lead to dehydration,” she added.

When it comes to which of the two options are better for the body, scientists agree that both offer similar levels of hydration. “There is no significant difference between hydrating quality of sparkling versus still water so really, you are free to enjoy as much as you like,” said Melissa Sleight, a Lifestyle Medicine Registered Dietitian and owner of M&T Market, “just be careful of sweeteners.”

And while the citrus flavored sparkling waters, like lemon and lime, don’t necessarily have the dangers of added sugars, they have been found to have similar acidic levels as orange juice and soft drinks. “While the levels are not likely to have a noticeable impact on oral health, consumers should be aware that these products are often marketed as simply being water, and they actually are not. They can cause cavities, unlike still water. Sparkling water drinkers should be mindful of the frequency and long-term consumption and consult their dentists,” said Dr. Bakirci-Taylor.

So opting for bubbles instead of still isn’t a bad thing after all — it hydrates on comparable levels and offers some variety, minus the sugar of a soft drink, to the otherwise straightforward taste of still water. With the blessing of the current research and experts in the field and no dental concerns in sight, I can now happily and safely reach into the refrigerator in my next time of need, and crack open my beloved pamplemousse. I can almost taste the grapefruit-flavored goodness already. . .

Ashleigh Papp is a science writer based in San Francisco, CA. When not reading or writing, she spends her time playing outside with friends or inside with her cat, Sandy.