Preferring sparkling water is a question of taste, but does it hydrate as well as still water? ANSES advises adults to consume between 1.5 and 2 liters of water daily. To emphasize the importance of this habit, nutritionist Bettina Sarhosoglu reminded Current Woman that water is vital: it purifies the body, facilitates digestion, compensates for our natural losses (sweat, urine) and protects our kidneys. But then, what really is the impact of bubbles?
Sparkling water vs. still water: what is hydration really worth?
For those who struggle to hydrate, sparkling water could be a great ally. On the American Heart Association website, Professor Colleen Muñoz, director of Hydration Health Centerbelieves that sparkling water can “be beneficial for total fluid intake. It can contribute significantly,” especially when you have a natural preference for bubbles.
Beyond the sensation in the mouth, the specialist underlines the importance of the composition of the water:
“Minerals help us retain water. If we don’t get enough throughout the day, no matter how much plain water we drink, we will simply eliminate it through urine”. The consensus among nutritionists is reassuring: for the body, water remains water. Whether still or carbonated, its moisturizing power is identical, provided that the volumes absorbed are sufficient. In the columns of
Todaydietician Grace Derocha sums up this issue perfectly: “The short answer is that the one that hydrates you the most is the one that you will actually drink enough of.”
Sparkling water labels: details to look at to choose wisely
If the bubbles are attractive, caution remains in order regarding their content. Dr. Colleen Muñoz emphasizes this point: certain waters are “sodium-free, while others contain a lot of sodium. It is therefore essential to read the labels carefully”. This reminder is crucial, because highly mineralized waters are not suitable for everyone. ANSES warns that very salty carbonated waters must “be consumed sparingly and may present contraindications”especially for people suffering from high blood pressure. Furthermore, the National Nutrition and Health Program (PNNS) specifies that excessive gas consumption can promote bloating and digestive discomfort.
Sparkling water, however rich it may be, never replaces a balanced diet. Its usefulness is specific: nutritionist Bettina Sarhosoglu emphasizes, for example, that in the sports recovery phase, it helps to
“compensate for sodium losses linked to sweating”without having to exclude still water from your daily life. In the presence of cardiac, digestive or renal pathologies, vigilance is required. It is therefore best to consult a health professional to select the water best suited to your specific needs.
