Sparkling Water Gives Small Metabolic Boost, Study Finds
Get the Health newsletter
Daily health & science — research, biotech, public health, the studies worth knowing. Free.
- Sparkling water may slightly increase blood glucose uptake and metabolism, according to a BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health analysis.
- The analysis concluded the metabolic effect is minimal and insufficient to drive meaningful weight loss.
- Carbon dioxide from carbonated water is absorbed and converted to bicarbonate in red blood cells, potentially activating enzymes that accelerate glucose utilization, as compared to hemodialysis.
- Hemodialysis sessions process about 48,000 ml of blood and reduce roughly 9.5 g of glucose, illustrating the small scale of the effect.
- Professor Sumantra Ray warned the findings are preliminary and not enough to form clinical recommendations, noting possible harms from sodium, glucose, or additives in carbonated drinks.
- Carbonated water can cause digestive discomfort such as bloating, gas, and may aggravate IBS or GERD, especially in sensitive individuals.
Why it matters: Consumers hoping to lean on fizzy drinks for weight loss gain only a negligible metabolic uptick, while health professionals must weigh the minimal benefit against possible digestive discomfort, the lack of robust evidence, and the need for further research before recommending it.
