Carbonated Water 'May Promote Weight Loss,' According to New Study
"CO2 in carbonated water may promote weight loss by enhancing glucose uptake and metabolism in red blood cells," according to researchers
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Stock image of carbonated water.Plain seltzer water may give you a weight-loss advantage over drinking still water — and it’s all because of the bubbles.
“CO2 in carbonated water may promote weight loss by enhancing glucose uptake and metabolism in red blood cells,” a study published Jan. 20 in BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health says. However, researcher Akira Takahashi, a physician with the Tesseikai Neurosurgical Hospital in Japan, was quick to point out that while the carbon may expedite the absorption of glucose, “carbonated water is not a standalone solution for weight loss.”
The weight-loss benefit is “so small that it is difficult to expect weight loss effects solely from the CO2 in carbonated water,” the study says. Furthermore, for some people, seltzer and other carbonated beverages can cause bloating or gas — and for those who struggle with digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the fizzy beverages can exacerbate their symptoms.
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Stock image of a glass of still water and a glass of sparkling, carbonated water.Related: Man 'Stopped Drinking Water Completely' During Dr Pepper Addiction
The study noted that seltzer and other carbonated beverages are also often used as an appetite suppressant, writing, “distension of the gastric antrum [the lower part of the stomach] due to the release of dissolved gas from carbonated water induces satiety, which may cause further satiety and gastric motility thereby reducing hunger.”
This doesn't mean you can start swigging just any drink with bubbles. The study focused on plain carbonated water. Diet or artificially sweetened soda has been linked to heart problems, and a can of regular soda can have as many as 140 calories.
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Stock image of a glass of sparkling water.Related: FDA Bans Red No. 3 from Food and Drinks, Citing Cancer Risks
“The CO2 in carbonated water may support weight loss,” Takahashi writes, but “it should be integrated into a broader strategy of healthy living rather than relied on as a primary weight loss tool.”
“A balanced diet and regular physical activity remain crucial components of sustainable weight management.”
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