When I quit soda a decade ago, I coped by drinking seltzer water with juice. It gave me the sugary fix along with the carbonated rush. Gradually, I removed the fruit juice and opted for the seltzer solo. Over the following three months, I lost at least five pounds and found that my complexion and energy levels had improved. Perhaps this had to do not only with the elimination of all the sugar and sodium I was ingesting with all that ginger ale, but with the amount of water (albeit carbonated) that I had replaced it with. I was downright chugging the stuff all day.
A decade later, I’ve upped my plain water consumption, but come meal times, I’m still hooked on seltzer (typically unflavored, with a wedge of lemon). I probably drink it now more than ever since I quit alcohol (a choice that resulted in shedding another five pounds) and have made seltzer with a splash of cranberry juice my standard order at bars. But, like with all things that seem too good to be true, I have worries about the possible cons of seltzer. I’ve heard that it can ruin your enamel, disrupt digestion and be less hydrating than regular water, for which I often substitute it.
Fueled by my own anxieties about what the heck I’m actually drinking, and hopeful to get the facts straight, I turned to certified nutritionists, registered dietitians and a dentist to explain exactly what seltzer is and what it means for our health.
“Seltzer water is water that has been infused with carbon dioxide under high pressure, which creates the bubbles,” says Toni Marinucci, MS, RDN, a registered dietitian with a master’s degree in nutrition and dietetics. “In simpler terms, seltzer is carbonated water therefore the ingredients should just read carbonated water. If it is a flavored seltzer then the ingredients should read: carbonated water, natural flavor.”
“Science shows seltzer water is just as hydrating as regular tap water,” says Jessica Crandall Snyder, RDN, registered dietitian nutritionist at Vital RD in Denver. “It doesn’t dehydrate you. From a mouth-feel standpoint, it may not seem as hydrating. But from a nutrition standpoint, they are equal.”
The difference between seltzer and club soda is mainly sodium
Club soda is also water-based, but it tends to have a lot of other minerals “including sodium bicarbonate, sodium citrate, potassium sulfate and disodium phosphate,” says Marinucci, adding that these added ingredients, though safe to consume in club soda, “affects the taste slightly [such that] it doesnt taste as ‘clean’ as seltzer water.”
Because of the sodium content, you might want to avoid club soda (and definitely check with a doctor if you have any underlying health issues that call for restricted sodium). “People who are salt-sensitive or being mindful of added salt in their overall diet should be aware of the difference and make an educated choice,” says Maya Feller, MS, RD, CDN of Maya Feller Nutrition, a registered dietitian nutritionist.
Plain seltzer is as hydrating as water
Good news for us seltzer lovers, this magical tonic (a bit hyperbolic, sure, but certainly how I feel about it) has the same hydrating benefits as plain water — if you drink it plain.
Plain seltzer without additional additives can be as hydrating as water.
“Plain seltzer without additional additives can be as hydrating as water,” says Feller. “The CDC lists plain seltzer and water as a smart beverage choice and some research has found that there is no difference with regard to hydration status when a person consumes still or carbonated water without additives.”
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FAQ
Is drinking seltzer water the same as drinking water?
Is seltzer water as good as still water?
Is it OK to drink seltzer water all day?
Does La Croix count towards water intake?
Does Seltzer count as a daily water intake?
So if you’re obsessed with seltzer, there’s good news: it counts towards your daily water intake totals. The Institute of Medicine’s dietary recommendations for water intake are: Men: At least 101 ounces of water per day (slightly under 13 cups) Women: At least 74 ounces (a little over 9 cups)
Is drinking 3 bottles of water 16.9 oz enough water daily?
No, it would be more appropriate to consume at least 4 bottles of this measure. If you have a job where you sweat a lot or play outdoor sports, go up to 5 bottles.
Is seltzer water healthy?
Try it with a twist of citrus for extra flavor. Seltzer water is just regular water that has been carbonated. It’s a healthier choice than soda and can add a little fun to your water intake. Seltzer has a refreshing taste and is often used as a mixer in alcoholic beverages. Some bottled seltzer water contain added flavors.
What is seltzer water?
Seltzer water is just regular water that has been carbonated. It’s a healthier choice than soda and can add a little fun to your water intake. Seltzer has a refreshing taste and is often used as a mixer in alcoholic beverages. Some bottled seltzer water contain added flavors. Tonic water is carbonated water with added sweeteners and flavors.