Can carbonated water speed up weight loss? Here’s what a study says

Carbonated water

, also popularly known as sparkling water, is fizzy, slightly tangy and refreshing. It is useful in elevating hydration, while providing some additional health benefits from digestion to

glucose control

. It is made by infusing carbon dioxide gas in water under pressure. This small addition not only transforms the taste of your regular glass of water, but also improves its wellness quotient.
The latest study agrees that sparkling water or carbonated water can lower blood glucose levels and in effect can lead to a small amount of weight loss. But is the social media frenzy over this fizzy beverage, which is considered a healthy alternative to soda and other sugary drinks, worth it? Let’s explore.

What is carbonated water?

Carbonated water, sparkling water or seltzer water has carbon dioxide bubbles in it. Different types of sparkling water include club soda, soda water, seltzer water, mineral water, and tonic water. Besides if plain water is not your thing, the fizz in the drink can encourage you to hydrate better. Hydration is important to keep dehydration at bay which can cause serious health issues like heart issues, kidney problems and digestive trouble.

What an earlier study said about carbonated drink

A study published in the journal Obesity Research and Clinical Practice linked drinking carbonated water to weight gain. The study didn’t find a direct link but suggested that the carbon dioxide that gives fizzy water its effervescence has an effect on body chemistry that can lead to overeating. This was also true for sugar-free carbonated drink apart from the version that had added sugar.

Carbonated drink and weight loss

However, carbonated water in general is linked with weight loss and its fizzy bubbles may boost satiety. Water can help the body burn fat by boosting metabolism and is an important part of lipolysis, which is how the body turns stored fat into energy.
The study published in BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health studied the impact of carbonated water on the body. The findings of the study suggested that it can boost metabolism and manage blood glucose, which can help with weight loss. The filling effect of fizzy water is what encourages people on weight loss diet to help control hunger cravings. Carbonated water is also linked to speeding up digestion and lowering blood glucose levels earlier.

The researchers from Japan including Dr Akira Takahashi, from the dialysis centre at Tesseikai Neurosurgery Hospital, Shijonawate, compared the drink with the haemodialysis process, where blood is filtered to remove waste and excess water when the kidneys no longer can.
The process turns blood alkaline, mainly producing carbon dioxide (CO2). In case of fizzy drinks, the CO2 is absorbed through the stomach lining and is rapidly converted to bicarbonate (HCO3) in red blood cells. This process speeds up glucose absorption and use by activating key enzymes in red blood cells.
Sparkling water can thus indirectly promote weight loss by enhancing the uptake and use of blood glucose.
However, the impact wasn’t big enough to lead to a substantial weight loss which means it can’t be trusted as a standalone drink for weight loss and it may be consumed as part of a diet.
Drinking water in general is associated with weight loss and having more of it instead of diet beverages can aid in shedding pounds.

Here are some benefits of water for weight loss

Boosts metabolism: Drinking water can temporarily increase the number of calories your body burns, known as water-induced thermogenesis.
Appetite control: Drinking water before meals can help reduce appetite, leading to fewer calories consumed.
Increases fullness: Water adds volume to food, making you feel fuller, which can prevent overeating.
Improves exercise performance: Staying hydrated ensures better energy levels during workouts, helping you burn more calories.
Reduces water retention: Proper hydration can help reduce bloating and water retention, giving the appearance of a slimmer physique.
However, experts suggest not to overconsume sparkling water. Ideally one should have one or two sparkling waters a day. Too much of it could cause gas and abdominal pain from the carbonation.