Carbonated Sparkling Water Good or Bad Carbonated water is a refreshing beverage and a good alternative to sugary soft drinks. However, concerns have been raised that it may be bad for your health. This article takes a detailed look at the health effects of carbonated water. What Is Carbonated WaterUgly Flavoured Sparkling Water. No unobtainable lifestyles. No ridiculous promises. No sugar, no sweetener nothing artificial. Get real, get Ugly. Few experts say that water is the only drink that best suits us. Is this true Chemists have long recognized water as a substance having unusual and unique properties. Carbonated water is water that has been infused with carbon dioxide gas under pressure. This produces a bubbly drink thats also known as sparkling water, club soda, soda water, seltzer water and fizzy water. With the exception of seltzer water, they usually have salt added to improve the taste. Sometimes small amounts of other minerals are included. Natural sparkling mineral waters, such as Perrier and San Pellegrino, are different. What is mineral water What makes it better or worse for you than other types of water We discuss different drinking water options. Whats the Difference Between Club Soda, Seltzer, and Sparkling Mineral Water Carbonated sparkling water is water that has been infused with carbon dioxide gas. Is it bad for you, or good This article looks at the evidence. Food52 did a blind taste test of 17 seemingly similar products seltzer, club soda, carbonated mineral water, and sparkling water to see if we could. Different Types Of Sparkling Waters' title='Different Types Of Sparkling Waters' />Different Types Of Sparkling WaterThese waters are captured naturally from a mineral spring, and tend to contain minerals and sulfur compounds. These waters are often carbonated as well. Tonic water is a form of carbonated water that contains a bitter compound called quinine, along with sugar or high fructose corn syrup. Bottom Line Carbonated water is created by combining water with carbon dioxide under pressure. Sodium and other minerals are often added. Carbonated Water Is Acidic Carbon dioxide and water react chemically to produce carbonic acid, a weak acid thats been shown to stimulate the same nerve receptors in your mouth as mustard. This triggers a burning, prickly sensation that can be both irritating and enjoyable for many people 1, 2. The p. H of carbonated water is 34, which means its slightly acidic. However, drinking an acidic beverage like carbonated water does not make your body more acidic. Your kidneys and lungs remove excess carbon dioxide. This keeps your blood at a slightly alkaline p. H of 7. 3. 57. 4. Bottom Line Carbonated water is acidic, but your body maintains a stable, slightly alkaline p. H no matter what you consume. Does It Affect Dental Health One of the biggest concerns about sparkling water is its effect on teeth, since the enamel is directly exposed to acid. There is very little research on this topic, but one study found that sparkling mineral water damaged enamel only slightly more than still water. Furthermore, it was 1. In one study, carbonated beverages showed strong potential to destroy enamel, but only if they contained sugar. In fact, a non carbonated sweet beverage Gatorade was more harmful than a carbonated sugar free drink Diet Coke 4. In another study, samples of tooth enamel were placed in various beverages for up to 2. The sugar sweetened carbonated and non carbonated beverages resulted in significantly greater enamel loss than diet drinks 5. Another review of several studies found that the combination of sugar and carbonation may lead to severe dental decay 6. However, plain sparkling water appears to pose little risk to dental health. Its only the sugary types that are harmful 7. If youre concerned about dental health, try drinking sparkling water with a meal or rinsing your mouth with plain water after drinking it. Bottom Line Sugar sweetened carbonated beverages can erode tooth enamel, but plain carbonated water appears to be relatively harmless. Does It Affect Digestion Carbonated water may benefit digestive health in several ways. It Can Improve Swallowing Ability. It might seem surprising, but studies suggest that sparkling water may actually improve swallowing ability in both young and older adults 8, 9, 1. In one study, 1. 6 healthy people were asked to repeatedly swallow different liquids. Carbonated water showed the strongest ability to stimulate the nerves responsible for swallowing function 9. Another study showed that the combination of cold temperature and carbonation strengthened these beneficial effects 1. In a study of 7. 2 people who felt a persistent need to clear their throats, drinking ice cold carbonated water led to improvement in 6. Those who had the most frequent and severe symptoms experienced the greatest benefits 1. It May Increase Feelings of Fullness. Carbonated water may also help you feel full longer than plain water does. Sparkling water may help food remain in the first part of the stomach for longer, which can trigger a sensation of fullness 1. In a controlled study of 1. However, larger studies are needed to confirm these results. It May Help Relieve Constipation. People who experience constipation may find that drinking sparkling water helps relieve their symptoms. In a two week study of 4. Whats more, the participants reported a 5. Theres also evidence that sparkling water may improve other symptoms of indigestion, including stomach pain. One controlled study looked at 2. After 1. 5 days, those who drank carbonated water had significant improvements in digestive symptoms, constipation and gallbladder emptying 1. Bottom Line Carbonated water has benefits for digestion. It may improve swallowing, increase feelings of fullness and reduce constipation. Does Carbonated Water Affect Bone Health Many people believe that carbonated beverages are bad for bones because of their high acid content. However, research suggests the carbonation isnt to blame. A large observational study of more than 2,5. Carbonated water appeared to have no effect on bone health 1. Unlike carbonated water and clear soda, cola drinks contain a lot of phosphorus. The researchers proposed that the cola drinkers may have been consuming too much phosphorus and not enough calcium. This is a potential risk factor for bone loss. In another study, teen girls who consumed carbonated drinks were found to have lower bone mineral density. This was attributed to those beverages replacing milk in their diet, resulting in inadequate calcium intake 1. In a controlled study of 1. Animal research suggests carbonated water may even improve bone health. Supplementing the diets of hens with carbonated water for six weeks led to increased leg bone strength, compared to tap water 1. Bottom Line Drinking carbonated cola drinks may harm bone health, but plain sparkling water appears to have a neutral or positive effect. Does It Affect Heart Health Theres very limited research on how carbonated water affects heart health, but the existing evidence is positive. In the same group of 1. Those who drank sodium rich carbonated water had a decrease in LDL the bad cholesterol, inflammatory markers and blood sugar. Whats more, they also had an increase in HDL the good cholesterol 2. Additionally, the estimated risk of developing heart disease within 1. However, since this was only one small study, a lot more research needs to be done before drawing conclusions. Bottom Line Carbonated water may have beneficial effects on cholesterol, inflammation and blood sugar. However, this needs to be studied a lot more. So Is Carbonated Water Actually Bad For You There is currently no evidence that carbonated or sparkling water is bad for you. It is not really that harmful for dental health and seems to have no effect on bone health. Interestingly, a carbonated drink may even enhance digestion by improving swallowing ability and reducing constipation. Its also a calorie free beverage that causes a pleasurable bubbly sensation. Many people prefer it over still water. Theres no reason to give up this beverage if you enjoy it. In fact, it may actually improve your overall health. Get to Know Sparkling Italian Wine. Lets be honest here, if youre not confused with all the different Italian wines then you are either a a professional sommelier OR b an Italian. Trying new Italian wines sometimes feels like diving blindly into murky water. It can also be a bit embarrassing when you bring what you think to be a nice Italian wine to your friends house only to be told its commercial swill. Italians make ChampagneWell not really, but there are a ton of ridiculously good sparkling Italian wines. Some of them are the same quality as fancy Champagne but cheaper. What does Spumante MeanSpumante simply means sparkling wine in Italian. Spumante doesnt identify sweetness level or type of grapes used. See the definition of Asti Spumante below. There are 5 major types of sparkling wines from Italy which include Prosecco, Lambrusco, Franciacorta and Asti Spumante. Get to know sparkling Italian wine. Prosecco. Aromatic, Fruity, Bubbly, perfect for parties. Prosecco is a white wine grape variety used to make sparkling wine. It also happens to be a region located in Veneto in northwest Italy. Many call the Prosecco grape Glera. Most Prosecco wines are meant to be enjoyed young and fresh, so try to buy the newest vintage. Youll find the aromatics to be flowery and peachy with nuances of vanilla bean, even though it will taste dry aka not sweet. Still, Proseccos do taste slightly sweeter than traditional Champagne. If you see Prosecco ros, know that the pink color comes from the addition of a touch of Pinot Nero Pinot Noir giving them yellow peach and strawberry flavors. Fancy sub region Valdobbiadene. In the hills close to Conegliano, there is an important sub region called Valdobbiandene. This region is considered to be the producer of the highest quality Proseccos on the planet pictured. Many of the wines from this area will be able to age nicely in a cellar. Quick Tip for Quality look for Prosecco Superiore from Valdobbiandene. The majority of bulk Prosecco comes from the flatter region around Treviso. Metodo Classico. Classically produced Champagne like sparkling wines. Metodo Classico is a way sparkling wine is made. Its the same method as mthode champenoise in Champagne and is commonly considered to be the highest quality technique. Wines in the Metodo Classico style very much resemble traditional Champagne or Cava. Expect to taste fine creamy bubbles and nuanced flavors of brioche and lemon zest. The body of Metodo Classico sparkling wines can be a bit richer because the growing regions in Italy are warmer than Champagne. Surprisingly enough, many of the Metodo Classico producers use the exact same varieties as in Champagne, including Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Right now you can find many affordable vintage Metodo Classico that stand up nicely against the most famous Champagne brands. Franciacorta D. O. C. G. In Lombardy, made with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Bianco. Berlucchi and Ca del Bosco are famous producers of this region. Oltrepo Pavese Metodo Classico D. O. C. G. Pinot Noir dominant area in Lombardy Trento D. Sample 1500 Calorie Meal Plan there. O. C. Next to Alto Adige at the base of the Alps, Trento is famous for Chardonnay and Pinot Nero based bubbly. Look for Ferrari as a great example. Others. Look for the term metodo classico on the label to indicate the style of wine. There are several great examples from Piedmont and Tuscany. Also, check out the handy dandy glossary of Italian sparkling wine terms below. Lambrusco. From bottom rung to top shelf, sparkling reds and ros Lambrusco is both a red wine grape and a region within Emilia Romagna. For the longest time, Lambrusco was a sweet and frothy red wine that would stain your shirt and was popular at late night college parties. Nowadays, producers are making dry Lambrusco touted for its beer like qualities fresh yeasty flavors and a slightly bitter finish. Its made quickly with the Charmat Method and meant to be drunk young. Its easily one of my personal top bacon cheeseburger wines Ive paired in recent history. Need some great producer recommendations Try Cleto Chiarli, Lini and Ca De Medici. Asti Spumante D. O. C. G. Aromatic and sweet sparkling wines made from Moscato. Asti Spumante is made solely with Moscato aka Muscat Blanc, therefore its one of the sweetest sparkling wines in Italy. With frothy bubbles and a highly perfumed nose of Asian pear, honeysuckle and nectarine, it goes extremely well with sweet desserts and white chocolate. Despite how awesome this sounds for sticky sweet wine lovers it has never been considered a high quality wine. Most Asti Spumante that come into the US are poorly made, overly saccharine swill. Moscato dAsti D. O. C. G. Asti Spumante is the fully sparkling version of Moscato dAsti, which is the lightly bubbly version. There are many great Moscato dAsti in the US market. Italys Wine Regions There are 2. Italy with 3. 50 identified wine grapes While Sangiovese is the most popular red variety most famously known as Chianti there are so many more to discover. Learn more about The Wines of Italy 5. Other Unique Sparkling Italian Wines. Brachetto dAcqui wineBrachetto is a grape variety making a traditionally sweet red wine from Piedmont. You can find it in both still and sparkling styles. Liguria regionThere is at least one insane producer, Bisson Abissi, who makes a metodo classico that he stores in the sea. Friuli regionYou can find several Spumante from Colli Orientali del Friuli usually made with Chardonnay, Pinot Nero Pinot Noir, Pinot Bianco and Friulano Sauvignon Vert. Expect fresh and fruity flavors and great values. Sicily regionThere arent a lot of sparkling wine producers that hit the radar from Sicily except for maybe Donnafugata who produces a high quality Metodo Classico style Brut with Chardonnay and Pinot Nero Pinot Noir. Puglia regionYou wont find much from this region in the states, but there are several producers in Lizzano making Tank Method bubbly with Chardonnay and Trebbiano Grapes. Expect thicker fruity flavors. Emilia Romagna regionBesides Lambrusco, there are a treasure trove of sparkling wines coming from this area sadly, many dont get exported. Everything from a Spumante made with the ancient white grape Pignoletto, to a red bubbly made with Barbera. Common Words on Sparkling Italian Wine Labels. SWEETNESS LEVELSExtra Brut. Very Dry 0 6 gramsliter residual sugar. Brut. Dry 0 1. 2 gramsliter residual sugar. Secco. Dry same as BrutExtra Dry. Off dry 1. 2 1. Semi Secco. Off dry same as Extra DryAmabile. Sweet sweetDolce. Sweet. OTHER SPARKLING ITALIAN WINE TERMSdAcquiof Acqui named after the commmune Acqui Terme which is on the border of Asti and Alessandria in Piedmont in northwest Italy. Astiof Asti a small region within Piedmont most known for wines of Moscato and Barbera. Asti Spumante is a sweet sparkling wine from this area. Frizzanteslightly bubbly. Spumantesparkling wine. Sourcesfranciacorta. Italian wine grapes from How to Read an Italian Wine List. Donnafugata Metodo Classico spec sheet and site Oltrepo Pavese Majority of bulk Prosecco comes from Treviso, via Wine Grapes. SUBSCRIBE TO GET FRESH WEEKLY WINE STORIES. By Madeline Puckette. Im a certified sommelier and creator of the NYT Bestseller, Wine Folly The Essential Guide to Wine. Find me out there in the wine world Wine.