There is a popular theory that carbonated water may cause weight loss. The bubbles may cause people to feel fuller, and the water can aid digestion and help the body burn fat for energy. A new study has suggested that carbonated water lowers blood sugar. Steady blood sugar can help the body burn fat more effectively. But does any of it make a difference?
When a person drinks sparkling water, the CO2 is absorbed into the bloodstream. There, it is turned into bicarbonate ions. That causes red blood cells to become more alkaline and accelerates glucose consumption, lowering blood sugar.
“Red blood cells cannot fully ‘burn’ the glucose, and it will be recycled by the liver,” said Keith Frayn, a professor emeritus of human metabolism at the Univ. of Oxford. “If fizzy drinks were to be shown to lead to weight loss, it would much more likely be through effects on feelings of fullness.”
Other studies on water and weight loss have shown results. People who drank two glasses of water before meals lost more weight than those who didn’t in one study. In another, people who swapped diet drinks with water lost weight. Water can help people lose weight, but fizzy water isn’t a magic bullet.
The study author, Dr. Akira Takahashi, a physician in the dialysis center at Tesseikai Neurosurgical Hospital, pointed out that it’s important not to overconsume carbonated water. “Drinking carbonated water can have some effects on the digestive system, particularly for individuals with sensitive stomachs or pre-existing gastrointestinal conditions,” he said.
If you have IBS or problems with heartburn or acid reflux, drinking a lot of carbonated water might not be a good fit for your health needs. It can lead to bloating, gar or exacerbate GI symptoms of digestive disorders.
If you drink soda, replacing it with plain carbonated water may boost weight loss. Adding carbonated water may boost weight loss if you don’t drink enough fluid because you find plain water boring. However, on its own, sparkling water isn’t a weight loss tool; it’s just a way to stay hydrated!