For the longest time, plain old still water has been known as the healthiest option for quenching our thirst. However, for some, sparkling water’s fizziness offers a welcome alternative to flat water, but amidst the fizz and fun, it leaves people questioning if it really is healthy.
Sparkling water lover Rethabile Shabalala from the Free State says she has never experienced any negatives since her switch to sparkling water and she’s only benefitting from consuming it.
“I prefer sparkling water to plain water because it quenches my thirst, helps me when bloated, and improves my digestion. I believe it is very healthy, and I prefer natural sparkling water without flavours.”
Rethabile Shabalala
‘Obsessed with sparkling water’
Mihlali Nondala from Pretoria, who says he is obsessed with sparkling water, has always wanted a carbonated drink that has no taste. So after a friend suggested sparkling water to him, he has not looked back.
“I have always loved carbonated drinks, so when I lost interest in them, I craved a carbonated drink that had no flavour whatsoever, and that’s when I started drinking sprinkling water. Best choice I’ve ever made.
“I believe it has the same health benefits as normal water. I’m not informed on the health benefits, but I do know it hydrates me and it’s good for my body.”
Sandton-based dietitian Aziwe Booi describes sparkling water as carbonated mineral water. She says this means it is essentially water that has added bubbles or fizziness.
“There are more benefits than drawbacks to the consumption of sparkling water. It assists people in meeting their daily hydration needs. It also provides a healthy alternative to other flavoured carbonated beverages that have added sugar,” she says.
Downsides to the fizz
“Sparkling water is something I consistently recommend to my clients if they are trying to increase their water intake and cut down on their fizzy drink intake. The main drawback, however, would most likely be for people who suffer from reflux in carbonated beverages, as they tend to aggravate it,” Booi explains.
Highlighting why people may prefer sparkling water, she mentions that it is a refreshing and flavourful alternative to sugary sodas and other carbonated beverages.
“Some people may prefer it from a taste perspective. Others may prefer it as they already enjoy carbonated beverages, and sparkling water provides a similar crisp and refreshing effect.”
Dietitian Aziwe Booi
When asked if flavouring sparkling water affects any healthy nutritional value of sparkling water, she points out that flavoured sparkling water is something to be enjoyed mindfully as it does contain added sugar.
“You want to not consume more than six teaspoons of sugar a day, as per the recommendation by the World Health Organisation. Overall, sparkling water is essentially carbonated mineral water, so it is a great source of hydration and a healthy alternative to consume when eating out.”
“At the end of the day, it is important that you meet your daily water needs. So whether you enjoy sparkling water or you prefer to have still water, it is all up to you to make your own decision on which you prefer.”
Furthermore, she highlights the general amount as six to eight glasses a day. Booi also emphasises that the daily water needs, however, are 250 ml per 10 kg of body weight for the general adult population, so if someone weighs 60 kg, they need at least six glasses of water. This amount varies for athletes who need their daily hydration needs calculated more specifically.
Looking for other water alternatives? Health For Mzansi has collected these articles on water.
Lemon water vs ACV: Which is best for your health?
Which is better for gut health, lemon water or apple cider vinegar? They’re both gut superstars, but they have very different drawbacks and benefits.
Aside from providing a small amount of potassium, adding lemon juice is a great source of vitamin C, according to Megan Pentz-Kluyts, a registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Association for Dietetics in South Africa (ADSA).
Pentz-Kluyts explains that apple cider vinegar (ACV) is produced by fermenting apples, and like other fermented foods, ACV contains gut-friendly probiotic bacteria. While, in theory, there’s a benefit to boosting your probiotic intake with ACV, this particular food source hasn’t been studied; so there’s no proof that you’ll get this benefit from using it.
Water: how much should I drink every day?
While many might be drinking water because doctors ordered them to do so, some dedicate their lives to drinking it because it is “life” and plays a crucial role in their lives.
Like Dean Roberts, a Durbanville-based fitness enthusiast who lost 19 kilograms, thanks to his weight loss to a proper diet and water usage. He drinks at least two litres of water daily and over three litres on gym days to stay hydrated.
He tells Health For Mzansi that drinking water consistently has contributed to his weight loss journey “massively”.
Lemon water: Is it really all that?
Starting your day with a cup of lemon water is a ritual that comes with a lot of lofty promises, from weight loss to glowing skin. But is it really all that it’s made out to be?
People drink lemon water for a lot of different reasons. Lebo Sekobolo (33) from Witbank says a cup of lemon water is perfect for those who do not like regular water. She enjoys a cup of hot lemon water with added raw honey to reduce the bitterness and says she has seen the difference in her body since drinking it.
However, lemon water is not the magic concoction to help one lose body fat, Sandton clinical dietitian Mbali Mapholi cautions. She says it is important to note that the benefits of lemon water do not lie in the concoction but rather in the individual ingredients.
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