Supplementing hensвЂ™ diets with carbonated water for 6 weeks led to increased leg bone strength compared with tap water ( 19). In a controlled study in 18 postmenopausal women, drinking 34 ounces (1 liter) of sodium-rich sparkling water daily for 8 weeks led to better calcium retention than drinking plain mineral water ( 18).ДЄdditionally, no negative effects on bone health were observed in the sparkling water group.ДЄnimal research suggests carbonated water may even improve bone health. This was attributed to beverages that replaced milk in their diet, resulting in inadequate calcium intake ( 17). In another study, teen girls who consumed carbonated drinks were found to have lower bone mineral density. The researchers proposed that the cola drinkers may have been consuming too much phosphorus and insufficient calcium, providing a potential risk factor for bone loss. Unlike carbonated water and clear soda, cola drinks contain a lot of phosphorus. Carbonated water appeared to have no effect on bone health ( 16). However, research suggests the carbonation isnвЂ™t to blame.ДЄ large observational study in over 2,500 people found that cola was the only beverage associated with significantly lower bone mineral density. Many people believe that carbonated beverages are bad for bones because of their high acid content. It may improve swallowing, increase feelings of fullness, and reduce constipation.Дoes carbonated water affect bone health? SummaryД¬arbonated water has benefits for digestion. After 15 days, those who drank carbonated water experienced significant improvements in digestive symptoms, constipation, and gallbladder emptying ( 15). One controlled study examined 21 people with chronic digestive issues. ThereвЂ™s also evidence that sparkling water may improve other symptoms of indigestion, including stomach pain. WhatвЂ™s more, participants reported a 58% decrease in constipation symptoms ( 14). In a 2-week study in 40 older individuals who had experienced a stroke, average bowel movement frequency nearly doubled in the group that drank carbonated water, compared with the group that drank tap water. People who experience constipation may find that drinking sparkling water helps relieve their symptoms. However, larger studies are needed to confirm these results. In a controlled study in 19 healthy young women, fullness scores were higher after the participants drank 8 ounces (250 ml) of soda water, compared with after drinking still water ( 13). Sparkling water may help food remain in your stomach longer, which can trigger a greater sensation of fullness ( 12). May increase feelings of fullnessД¬arbonated water may also extend feelings of fullness after meals to a greater extent than plain water. Those with the most frequent, severe symptoms experienced the greatest relief ( 11). In a study in 72 people who felt a persistent need to clear their throats, drinking ice-cold carbonated water led to improvements in 63% of participants. Carbonated water showed the strongest ability to stimulate the nerves responsible for swallowing ( 9).ДЄnother study showed that the combination of cold temperature and carbonation strengthened these beneficial effects ( 10). In one study, 16 healthy people were asked to repeatedly swallow different liquids.

Studies suggest that sparkling water may improve swallowing ability in both young and older adults ( 8, 9, 10).

Sugar-sweetened carbonated beverages can erode tooth enamel, but plain carbonated water appears relatively harmless.Д¬arbonated water may benefit your digestive health in several ways. If youвЂ™re concerned about dental health, try drinking sparkling water with a meal or rinsing your mouth with plain water after drinking it. However, plain sparkling water appears to pose little risk to dental health. The sugar-sweetened carbonated and non-carbonated beverages resulted in significantly greater enamel loss than their diet counterparts ( 5).ДЄ review of several studies found that the combination of sugar and carbonation may lead to severe dental decay ( 6). In fact, a non-carbonated sweet beverage (Gatorade) was more harmful than a carbonated sugar-free drink (Diet Coke) ( 4).ДЄnother study placed samples of tooth enamel in various beverages for up to 24 hours. In one study, carbonated beverages showed strong potential to destroy enamel - but only if they contained sugar. Furthermore, mineral water was 100 times less damaging than a sugary soft drink ( 3). There is very little research on this topic, but one study found that sparkling mineral water damaged enamel only slightly more than still water.

One of the biggest concerns about sparkling water is its effect on teeth, as your enamel is directly exposed to acid.

Caffeinated sparkling water