Sparkling water is a drink loved by all generations, from babies to grandmothers. Spiky bubbles of carbon dioxide in it have not left anyone indifferent. But is carbonated water really harmless or should its use be limited?
What does it consist of?
The composition of sparkling water is very simple. It contains directly water and carbon dioxide. This composition has a simple sparkling water. The body will harm or benefit from it - this is the subject of ongoing disputes between supporters and opponents of proper nutrition. It all depends on what kind of water is in the composition. It can be simple, mineral or sweet with the addition of dyes and flavors.
There are three types of water, depending on the level of carbon dioxide saturation. This is lightly carbonated, medium carbonated and highly carbonated water. The level of carbon dioxide in it is from 0.2 to 0.4 percent, respectively.
Beneficial features
Natural sparkling water has been known to man since ancient times. Initially, it was used only as a therapeutic agent. Everyone could come to a natural spring, collect water and even swim in it. In the XVIII century, water began to spill on an industrial scale. But since such an enterprise turned out to be unprofitable, since the liquid quickly expired and lost most of its useful properties, it was decided to carbonate it artificially.
Only carbonated mineral water can have a positive effect on the body. The harm or benefit of this product will depend on the quantity and quality of the drink consumed. In general, natural mineral water is prescribed by a doctor for medicinal purposes. It is not recommended to abuse this drink, despite the fact that it contributes to the production of gastric juice with low acidity, maintains an alkaline balance, activates the work of enzymes, and prevents the leaching of calcium from the body.
In addition to natural sparkling water, sweet drinks based on medicinal herbs ("Tarhun", "Baikal", "Sayan") can also be beneficial for the body.
Negative effects and contraindications
Water, which artificially became carbonated due to the addition of carbon dioxide, has a synthetic origin and does not carry any nutritional value. This is especially true for sugary drinks.
The harm of carbonated water to the human body lies in the fact that carbon dioxide, which is present in the composition of this product, causes flatulence, belching and bloating.
Sweet carbonated drinks are especially harmful to humans. They contribute to disruption of the pancreas and liver, cause malfunctions in the endocrine system, and provoke the development of diabetes mellitus and other serious diseases.
Sparkling water, the harm or benefit of which lies in its composition, can either restore and maintain the water-salt balance, or upset it.
Mineral sparkling water
Useful micro and macro elements, as well as mineral compounds make the product useful for the body. It should be noted that, in addition to the level of carbonation, such water can be of different salinity. Weak and medium “mineral water” is suitable for daily use. It not only perfectly quenches thirst, but also saturates the body with useful compounds. But sparkling water with a high degree of mineralization is intended for use for medicinal purposes. You need to use it only in a limited amount, since the content of useful elements in it is large enough for everyday use.
Carbonated mineral water, the harm or benefit of which depends on the amount of important compounds in it, is certainly better than sugary drinks. But there are exceptions to every rule.
Sweet sparkling water
Carbonated drinks may be helpful. It all depends on the contents of the bottle. Sweet carbonated water, the harm or benefit of which is the subject of controversy among doctors, nutritionists and manufacturers, may include artificial food additives or extracts of medicinal herbs.
"Duchess" and "Tarragon" contain tarragon, which is an effective vasoconstrictor, improves the digestive system and increases appetite. Sparkling water "Sayany" and "Baikal" incorporates an extract of a leuzea plant, which helps relieve fatigue, increase muscle activity and normalize the nervous system.
In addition to natural components, the composition of water can also contain harmful food additives: dyes, preservatives, flavor enhancers. Such carbonated drinks can be addictive, rashes and allergic reactions, damage to the gastric mucosa, damage to tooth enamel.
Harm of "effervescent" water for a child
In recent years, nutritionists and pediatricians have been sounding the alarm. Parents increasingly began to buy carbonated drinks for their young children . The consequences of such unreasonable acts are evident: the number of boys and girls suffering from obesity is growing steadily every year. What can the abuse of soda lead to? Increased nervous irritability, problems with the bone and endocrine systems, bad teeth. All this is only a small part of what harm the sweet carbonated water can be for the body.
In addition to children, sweet soda should be excluded for pregnant women and nursing mothers, as well as people who are struggling with overweight, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, and allergies.
Soda water: harm or benefit for weight loss
Everyone knows that any diet is based on a sufficient intake of fluid, namely pure water. Otherwise, the weight will stand still. Soda water does not carry any nutritional or energy value. It does not contain proteins, fats and carbohydrates, its calorie content is also zero.
To promote weight loss, it will be just like plain water. It is known that fluid in the stomach gives a feeling of fullness. Therefore, it must be drunk necessarily for those who are actively fighting overweight. In this case, the harm of sparkling water can be manifested in the fact that it causes bloating and flatulence, that is, some discomfort in the intestine. But if this does not cause inconvenience, then you can lose weight with any water, including carbonated water.
It should be noted that we are talking only about plain sparkling water, without food additives: sweeteners, preservatives, flavorings, colorings. Otherwise, instead of losing weight, you can earn a few extra pounds.
Summarizing
It is difficult to unequivocally answer the question of what carbonated water will bring to the body, the harm or benefit will be from its use. First of all, when choosing this drink, you should pay attention to what its origin is: natural or synthetic. Natural mineral water contains beneficial trace elements that contribute to the healing of the body. Soda, especially sweet, obtained artificially, may not be useful. From the use of drinks based on it, one should expect only negative consequences, deterioration of the body.