Does drinking seltzer water count as drinking water

Some people feel that carbonated water can't hydrate you like regular water can. They think that the bubbles in the carbonated water make it much less effective for combatting dehydration. However, this is not the case. Carbonated water is just like regular water; only it offers a fun and more exciting way to drink your daily allotment of water.

Fruit flavored sparkling (carbonated) water also makes a great and healthy alternative to soda because it has zero calories and no added sugar. The biggest difference between sparkling water and regular water are the bubbles. How your body uses the water and reacts to it is the exact same.

Carbonated water has carbon dioxide added to it, and this is how you get that fun, signature bubbly effect that carbonated water is known for.

Carbonated Water for Hydration

Research has been done in the past in an attempt to learn how water and carbonated water can both hydrate. They also included other beverages to test their hydration levels, including soda, juice, coffee, and milk. But, of course, it was found that still water and sparkling water both hydrated the same with minimal differences between them.

Through these studies, they found that still water and carbonated water were both as useful for hydration. One didn't win out over the other. This is because they have the same base ingredient - they are both just water.

Carbonated Water Differences

The carbonation in sparkling water has very little effect on the body when it comes to digestion. However, it was found that it might take the body a bit longer to empty the liquid from the small intestine to the stomach after drinking carbonated water, which can affect how the water is absorbed by the body.

Still water is absorbed more quickly than sparkling or carbonated water, but once it is absorbed, the effects and the benefits are the exact same. Sparkling water is also a good alternative for those who aren't fans of still water because of the flatness and tastelessness of the water. These people find sparkling water much easier to swallow.

You can also add a splash of juice to sparkling water to create a refreshing and low-calorie drink if you are looking for a little flavor, so you stop reaching for the sugary sodas. The only time you probably want to stick with still water is during your workout.

People tend to shy away from carbonated water during a workout, which can cause dehydration. So, for this, still water reigns supreme. Other than that, the experts still say you can drink carbonated water to reach your recommended daily serving of water (eight glasses) each day.

Making the Switch to Carbonated Water

If you are someone who finds it hard to get their eight glasses of water every day, then you may want to consider switching to carbonated water. Some even feel that it is a much more natural way to drink water, and it is much easier to swallow.

Another reason to make the switch is if you find yourself addicted to soda, and you need to find a better way to get more water into your system. Naturally-sweetened carbonated water is an excellent way to get off the sugary sodas and start drinking a healthier alternative. There is also a lot of flavor options to choose from, so you will find yourself missing soda less and less.

How Can You Get Carbonated Water?

You will quickly find that purchasing cases and bottles of carbonated water at the store will begin to add up very quickly each week, which can cause your grocery bill to be a bit higher than usual. Sometimes people will even choose to drink tap water over carbonated water simply because of the cost. However, there is a solution!

SodaStream is an easy and affordable solution to this problem. With just a touch of a button, you can run your plain, still water through a CO2 canister which carbonates it quickly and easily. It incorporates those fun bubbles into your water and makes it come to life.

There is also a big selection of natural sparkling water flavors you can choose from to give your water that tasty boost you love so you will find that you won't miss soda as much as you thought you would. You will also feel better because you are supplying your body with the hydration it needs every day.

Using SodaStream is an excellent way to stay hydrated without breaking the bank and without turning back to drinking soda when you feel thirsty and don't want plain water.

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.

To stay hydrated, a popular rule of thumb is to drink at least eight 8-ounce (240-mL) glasses of water per day.

However, you may wonder whether sparkling water can count toward that goal due to its acidity.

This article tells you whether sparkling water is hydrating.

The main ingredients in carbonated water — commonly known as sparkling or seltzer water — are water and carbon dioxide (1).

Yet, some types have added flavorings and minerals like sodium bicarbonate, potassium sulfate, and sodium chloride. The most common types of carbonated water are (1):

  • Sparkling or seltzer water. This type is tap water that’s been filtrated and artificially carbonated.
  • Mineral water. The gas in this one occurs naturally, but it may be fortified with additional carbon dioxide — either artificially or from the same source as the water.
  • Soda water. Aside from the carbon dioxide, this water contains sodium bicarbonate and possibly other compounds to regulate its acidity.
  • Tonic water. This carbonated and mineralized water also has quinine, which gives it a bitter taste that’s often masked by sweeteners and flavorings.

When carbon dioxide dissolves in water, its pH drops, resulting in a slightly acidic beverage. The final product is fizzy, which may make it more appealing than regular water for many people.

Summary

Sparkling water is infused with carbon dioxide, which makes it bubbly and gives it a slightly acidic pH.

Sparkling water is effective at keeping your body hydrated.

Staying hydrated is essential, as dehydration may lead to impaired brain function, mood swings, and — over time — the development of chronic diseases (2, 3, 4).

One study investigated the hydrating effect of 13 drinks, including sparkling water, by establishing each drink’s beverage hydration index (BHI). The BHI evaluates the volume of urine produced by any drink compared with still water (5).

The study concluded that sparkling water was as hydrating as still water (5).

Furthermore, it determined that drinks with a higher mineral content tended to be more hydrating. While some sparking waters may have more sodium than regular water, the sodium content of regular water can vary widely based on geographical location (6, 7, 8).

An older study likewise found no significant differences in hydration levels after people drank various beverages, including plain and carbonated water (9).

Therefore, sparkling water contributes to your daily water intake. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), men should get 125 ounces (3.7 liters) of total water per day and women 91 ounces (2.7 liters), which includes water from food (10).

Summary

Sparkling water is as hydrating as regular water, so drinking it may help you reach your daily water goals.

When choosing between sparkling and still water, it’s best to select the one that helps you drink more water during the day.

If you find the fizz from the carbon dioxide appealing, this may boost your daily water intake.

However, studies suggest that the effervescence of sparkling water strongly enhances its ability to curb thirst, which may lead to people drinking less water (1, 11).

However, others may feel that carbonation positively affects how much water they drink.

If you’re prone to bloating, consider avoiding sparkling water and other carbonated drinks, as they may worsen this condition (12).

Still, both types of water are equally hydrating, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) even promotes sparkling water for those who find plain water unappealing (13).

Shop for sparkling water online.

Just be sure to read the nutrition label on your sparkling water and avoid those with added sugars, as sugar-sweetened varieties are linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes (14, 15).

Summary

You should opt for the type of water that helps you increase your daily water intake. Some people may find sparkling water more appealing because of its carbonation.

Sparkling water hydrates you just as much as regular water. Thus, it contributes to your daily water intake.

In fact, its fizziness may even enhance its hydrating effects for some people.

Nonetheless, you should choose sparkling water without added sugar or other sweeteners.

Does seltzer count toward water intake?

“It doesn't dehydrate you. From a mouth-feel standpoint, it may not seem as hydrating. But from a nutrition standpoint, they are equal.” So if you're obsessed with seltzer, there's good news: it counts towards your daily water intake totals.

Is it OK to drink only seltzer water everyday?

So you've swapped soda for seltzer, and now you're concerned that you've simply traded one bad habit for another. Good news: As long as you're drinking sparkling water with no added sugars, you've made an A+ choice. In many cases, sparkling water is just water — which is, of course, vital to your health.

How many seltzer waters can I drink in a day?

Rubinov recommends sticking to no more than one can of seltzer per day, and drinking it alongside a meal and some regular water to keep the acid from sticking to your teeth.