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Is there scientific evidence to support the claims made in a research that sparkling water helps people lose weight?
Is drinking sparkling water just a fad or a weight-loss trick?
Sparkling water is considered a healthy choice because it’s refreshing and helps keep you hydrated. For some individuals, it may help with weight loss. The water can make you feel full, which might stop you from snacking too much and be a better alternative to sugary drinks. A recent study says that the carbon dioxide (CO2) in sparkling water might help with weight management by improving how red blood cells manage sugar in the body. This study isn’t brand new and is based on research from 2004, with some newly added information. So, before you fill your fridge with sparkling water, it’s important to get into the details to understand if it’s helpful or not.
As per EurekAlert, Akira Takahashi from Tesseikai Neurosurgery Hospital in Japan explained that carbonated water might help with weight loss because it can make people feel full. It may also help with digestion and lower blood sugar levels, making it possible to assist those trying to lose weight.
Takahashi’s study, published in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health, found that when CO2 entered the bloodstream, sugar levels decreased from 118.3 to 98.6 mg/dL, which could have some positive effects on metabolism. The study also points out that the change is very small, so it’s unlikely that drinking it alone will lose weight.
Meanwhile, the study argues that the Akira Takahashi project, based on 2004 research, didn’t look at how sparkling water affects body weight. Instead, it focused on what happens to blood when it goes through a kidney dialysis machine and how it might lower blood sugar levels. Surprisingly, no sparkling water was used in the study.
Although it would be great if sparkling water could help with weight loss or make us feel full, there isn’t much evidence to support this claim. The main advantage of drinking sparkling water is that it helps people reduce their calorie intake. When people choose this instead of sugary drinks, they end up consuming fewer calories throughout the day.
In his study, Takahashi himself also highlights that carbonated water alone cannot help a person lose weight. He acknowledges that staying active and eating a healthy diet are still important.
