Is Seltzer Water Bad For You?

Seltzer water is a great alternative to drinking soda. It can still give you the flavor and carbonation of soda without the downfalls from it. If regular water doesn’t do it for you, seltzer water can be just the right amount of different to help you get in your H2O, but is there something we’re overlooking? Is seltzer water bad for you?

How did we get here?

I personally am not a big fan of soda, so I have always liked seltzer water. My favorite brand is Bubbly and I drink it ALL the time. Truly I can admit that it might be a problem, but anyway, with all of the carbonation, I began to wonder what it was doing to my insides.

I always knew that when I drank it, it gave me the same burning sensation that soda did, but I always assumed that since it was water, there wasn’t a problem with it. But I thought that now would be a great time to settle this internal debate, so now we are going to find out together.

What is seltzer water and is it like soda?

In short, seltzer water is just carbonated water, so outside of the carbonation, it is very different from its soda counterpart. Soda is full of sugar and additives that contribute to how harmful it is for us to ingest. 

What about my teeth?

The Journal of the American Dental Association stated that carbonated beverages like soda and fruit juices can wear on your teeth, but seltzer water is safe. That started to become dicey when looking at flavored carbonated water, however. Because of the acidity in fruits, the flavored flavors did register as having a lower pH level so they are more harmful to your dental health. 

So I guess in my case all of my lime Bubbly may not be the best option to drink all the time. If you enjoy plain seltzer water, drink on! Your teeth don’t notice the difference, so drink on. If unflavored seltzer water is not something that appeals to your taste buds, then drink your flavored one in moderation. At the end of the day, it is still better for you than soda, so if you have to choose between the two, still go for the water.

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So, I’m still going to drink it, How can I cut out as much risk?

If you, like me, know that cutting seltzer water out of your life is a non-starter, there are ways to still enjoy your drink without having to worry as much. Always be on the lookout for the ingredient list. Like anything you buy, you want to make sure that there are no artificial sweeteners or other harmful ingredients that you cannot pronounce. 

If you can find seltzer water with only water and carbonation, that is the best route. If you need some flavor in your drink, put it in yourself. Instead of getting the water flavored with other additives that are acidic in their own right, add fresh lemon and lime to your own drink. 

Unfortunately, though, this is a drink best enjoyed in moderation.  As much as I would like to down four cans in one sitting (yes, I have actually done this.) it isn’t a good idea to overdo it. So, keep that in mind when you go shopping for your seltzer water. 

This may not have been the answer you wanted to the seltzer water debate, but the hope isn’t lost for the sparkling drink. Let me know in the comments your favorite brand and flavor and we can pine together!

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