The idea of drinking carbonated water to cure stomach aches has been around for hundreds of years. Sometimes there is a lot to learn from these old folk remedies, and sometimes not. This one actually happens to be true.
A study was conducted testing the effects of drinking six cups of mineral water on people suffering from dyspepsia, or a stomach ache. Those who drank the sparkling water had more relief than the ones who were just drinking water. Not only did the carbonated water group improve their stomach aches, but they also felt relief from constipation and were measured to have increased gallbladder emptying. If the gallbladder isn’t releasing enough bile, it can cause symptoms of upper abdominal pain after eating, nausea, bloating, and indigestion.
Action – In the study, a mineral water was used. It is difficult to say with 100% certainty that the minerals in the water didn’t contribute to the overall results, but choosing a natural mineral water instead of carbonated water may be preferable. Sodas or drinks with added fruit juice should be avoided because of the unnecessary sugar and the resulting tooth enamel erosion that they cause.
There are many sparkling mineral waters on the market, some more expensive than others. Club soda is an option, but choose one that is low in sodium. Natural sparkling waters, like Perrier or San Pellegrino, contain higher levels of magnesium, calcium, potassium and sodium than regular or carbonated water.
Steps – If you have a soda habit, reaching for sparkling mineral water is an infinitely better choice. Soda and any beverage with added sugar or other sweeteners (high fructose corn syrup, sucrose, fruit juice concentrates, and more) can be harmful. The list of beverages to avoid includes soda, cola, tonic, fruit punch, lemonade, sweetened powdered drinks, and sports and energy drinks.
Beyond causing weight gain, routinely drinking these sugary beverages can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic diseases. Furthermore, higher consumption of sugary beverages has been linked with an increased risk of premature death.
Why It Makes You Feel Better – Drinking enough water through the day is important, but it can get a little boring. Adding sparkling mineral water is a refreshing way to meet your daily intake requirements of water and contribute to overall gut health at the same time. Minimize the amount of time that these waters contact your teeth as they do have the ability to erode enamel, albeit not nearly as much as sodas.
Electrolyte drinks, or sports drinks, are flavoured beverages that contain carbohydrates (usually sugar) and the minerals sodium and potassium. There may be some benefits in consuming these for serious athletes, but for most people, including children and adolescents, the extra sugar, sodium, and calories are not necessary. The food dyes in them can also cause reactions in sensitive people.
Example – When deciding if something is good or bad for you, a better question to ask is if one thing is better than another. For instance, bananas are good, but eating a bowl of strawberries or cherries or blueberries has more nutrient punch. The same goes for beverages. Coffee is better nutritionally than cola, but green tea is healthier than coffee. Likewise, sparkling mineral water is much better than processed drinks with added sugar.
Next time you experience an upset stomach, reach for a sparkling mineral water and see if it provides relief.