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Sparkling water: plain water with bubbles and a small, early snacking signal

The best trial on sparkling water is modest in both size and result. In a randomized, open-label trial of 45 Japanese adults with a BMI between 23 and 30, drinking 17 fl oz (500 ml) of carbonated water a day for 12 weeks cut snacking by 1.49 times a week compared with still water (95% CI 2.93 to 0.05 fewer). The authors call the study exploratory. The bubbles do register in the body. In 13 young women, 8.5 fl oz (250 ml) of carbonated water raised fullness ratings over plain water, a short test with no food intake measured. In 32 young adults, sparkling water at breakfast left people hungrier than juice, milk or cola, yet they ate the same lunch after all four. As a drink it is close to nothing: 0 calories and about 21 mg sodium per 3.5 oz (100 g) in USDA survey data, so a 17 fl oz (500 ml) bottle gives about 107 mg sodium, from one composite value that differs by brand and source water.

Every statement here is tied to a source. The badge says what kind of evidence stands behind it: A is a meta-analysis or systematic review, E is the position of an expert body without its own analysis. How we verify →

We have no USDA entry for sparkling water itself in this cohort. The evidence below stands on published studies rather than on a composition table, and we would rather say that than show you a number for something else.

How much is actually in it

What your body absorbs

What it does to your health

Safety, limits and interactions

What people believe that the data does not support

Who this works differently for

What is still unknown

The bottom line

In 8 healthy volunteers in 1997, carbonated water did not change how fast a meal left the stomach, and it kept more of the meal in the upper stomach, 74 percent of solids against 56 percent with still water. Mineral waters are a separate case. A meta-analysis of 4 small absorption studies, pooling only p values, found calcium from calcium-rich mineral waters absorbed at least as well as calcium from dairy, and most sparkling water is not calcium-rich. The EU refused a claim that a naturally sparkling mineral water lowers high blood sugar, and another that a bicarbonate mineral water curbs the rise in blood fats after a meal. In 51 people with calcium oxalate kidney stones, 1.3 quarts (1.25 L) a day of bicarbonate-rich mineral water for 12 weeks raised urine volume by 22 fl oz (644 ml) a day (95% CI 207 to 1081) and did not lower urinary oxalate. That trial was open label, measured urine markers rather than new stones, and used a mineral water unlike most sparkling water. Whether people with high blood pressure should avoid sparkling water is still open. A 2024 systematic review said the question remains unanswered. Who should take care. The one safety card is a single case of anaphylaxis in an adult woman, traced to sulfites in a sparkling water, and not every sparkling water contains sulfites. If you react to sulfites, read the label. We have no card on children, pregnancy, medicines or teeth for plain sparkling water.

Questions about sparkling water, answered from the trials

Related foods

Sources

  1. spkw-r1-01 · reference dataset
    FNDDS 2710539 Water, carbonated, plain: Energy 0 kcal, Sodium 21 mg, Calcium 5 mg per 100 g · 1 can (12 fl oz) 360 g: 75.6 mg sodium, 18.0 mg calcium · 1 bottle (16.9 fl oz or 500 ml) 507 g: 106.5 mg sodium, 25.4 mg calcium
    USDA FNDDS 2021-2023 · checked 2026-09-29
  2. spkw-r1-04 · randomized crossover trial
    However, the proximal stomach contained a greater proportion of solids (74 +/- 7% vs 56 +/- 8%, P < 0.05) and liquids (43 +/- 5% vs 27 +/- 4%, P < 0.05) with carbonated water as opposed to still water.
    Dig Dis Sci, 1997 · checked 2026-09-29
  3. spkw-r1-05 · meta-analysis
    A meta-analysis based on published p values indicated calcium absorption from mineral waters was significantly higher (p = 0.03) than that from dairy products.
    Osteoporos Int, 2000 · checked 2026-09-29
  4. ev-spw-01 · RCT
    At week 12, modest decreases were observed in body weight and body mass index (BMI) compared with placebo (body weight: -0.72 kg; 95% CI - 1.37 to - 0.07; P = 0.036; BMI: -0.26 kg/m²; 95% CI - 0.50 to - 0.02; P = 0.037).
    Sci Rep, 2026 · checked 2026-10-07
  5. ev-spw-03 · RCT
    There were no significant effects on satiety following lunch or on intakes for the rest of the day.
    Br J Nutr, 2008 · checked 2026-10-07
  6. ev-spw-04 · RCT
    The increase in gastric volume following a 300 ml pre-meal carbonated beverage did not affect food intake whether a solid or liquid meal was given.
    Nutr J, 2011 · checked 2026-10-07
  7. ev-spw-05 · RCT
    After ingestion, significantly increased fullness and decreased hunger ratings were observed in the CW group.
    J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo), 2017 · checked 2026-10-07
  8. ev-spw-06 · RCT
    In conclusion, carbonated water did not alter overall gastric emptying but profoundly modified intragastric distribution of the meal.
    Dig Dis Sci, 1997 · checked 2026-10-07
  9. ev-spwp-04 · randomized controlled trial
    After ingestion, significantly increased fullness and decreased hunger ratings were observed in the CW group.
    J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo), 2017 · checked 2026-10-07
  10. spkw-r1-02 · randomized controlled trial
    Compared with the placebo group, the carbonated water group showed a greater reduction in snacking frequency (times/week) at week 4 (mean difference - 1.39; 95% confidence interval CI - 2.82 to -0.28; P = 0.018) and week 12 (- 1.49; 95% CI - 2.93 to - 0.05; P = 0.049).
    Sci Rep, 2026 · checked 2026-09-29
  11. spkw-r1-03 · randomized crossover trial
    After ingestion, significantly increased fullness and decreased hunger ratings were observed in the CW group.
    J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo), 2017 · checked 2026-09-29
  12. spkw-r1-11 · crossover preload study
    However, energy intakes at lunch (4511+/-151 kJ for men and 3183+/-203 kJ for women) were the same across all four beverage conditions and no compensation for breakfast energy was observed.
    Physiol Behav, 2003 · checked 2026-09-29
  13. ev-spw-09 · in vitro study
    Sparkling mineral waters showed slightly greater dissolution than still waters, but levels remained low and were of the order of one hundred times less than the comparator soft drinks.
    Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 2001, 28(8):766-772 · checked 2026-10-07
  14. ev-spwp-01 · randomized controlled trial
    During the trial period, mean ferritin levels fell by 24% in the Spatone Iron-Plus group compared with a mean fall of 51% in ferritin levels among the control group, P = 0.016.
    Clin Lab Haematol, 2003 · checked 2026-10-07
  15. ev-spwp-02 · randomized controlled trial
    The erythrocyte folate concentrations increased in the study group by 360.9 nmol/L and in the controls by 195.6 nmol/L (P=0.004) and serum homocysteine concentrations fell by 1.1 micromol/L and by 0.3 micromol/L, respectively (P<0.05).
    J Perinat Med, 2007 · checked 2026-10-07
  16. ev-spwp-05 · prospective cohort study
    In comparison with women with no intake of artificially sweetened carbonated soft drinks, the adjusted odds ratio for women who consumed ge 1 serving of artificially sweetened carbonated soft drinks/d was 1.38 (95% CI: 1.15, 1.65).
    Am J Clin Nutr, 2010 · checked 2026-10-07
  17. ev-spwp-06 · prospective cohort study
    Drinking >1 serving of SS beverages per day was also associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery (adjusted OR: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.45).
    Am J Clin Nutr, 2012 · checked 2026-10-07
  18. ev-spwp-07 · meta-analysis of observational studies
    Meta-analyses revealed significant associations between erosive tooth wear and male gender (padj.<0.001; OR=1.30, 95 % CI: 1.16-1.44), regurgitation (padj.=0.033; OR=2.27, 95 % CI: 1.41-3.65), digestive disorders (padj.<0.001; OR=1.81, 95 % CI: 1.48-2.21), consumption of acidic foods (padj.=0.033; OR=2.40, 95 % CI: 1.44-4.00), seasoning sauces (padj.=0.003; OR=1.28, 95 % CI: 1.13-1.44), nutritional supplements (padj.=0.019; OR=1.73, 95 % CI: 1.28-2.35), and carbonated drinks (padj.=0.019; OR=1.43, 95 % CI: 1.17-1.75).
    J Dent, 2024 · checked 2026-10-07
  19. spkw-r1-06 · case report
    Here we present a patient who had an anaphylactic reaction secondary to exposure to sulfites found in sparkling water.
    Am J Emerg Med, 2018 · checked 2026-09-29
  20. ev-spw-08 · animal study
    Here, we show that rats consuming gaseous beverages over a period of around 1 year gain weight at a faster rate than controls on regular degassed carbonated beverage or tap water.
    Obes Res Clin Pract, 2017 · checked 2026-10-07
  21. ev-spw-12 · agency guidance
    Add a splash of 100% juice to plain sparkling water for a refreshing, low-calorie drink.
    US CDC, Rethink Your Drink, Healthy Weight and Growth, 2026 · checked 2026-10-07
  22. ev-spwp-08 · expert consensus statement
    Eleven statements achieved the strongest (100%) agreement: five are related to diet and include identification and avoidance of dietary triggers, limiting alcohol, coffee and carbonated beverages, and advising patients troubled by postprandial symptoms not to overeat; the remaining six statements concern advice around smoking cessation, weight loss, raising the head-of-the-bed, avoiding recumbency after meals, stress reduction and alginate use.
    Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2024 · checked 2026-10-07
  23. spkw-r1-07 · regulatory register
    POL-HC-6281 Melgaço® naturally sparkling mineral water The regular consumption of Melgaço mineral water reduces body hyperglycaemic levels -/- Non-authorised
    EU Register on nutrition and health claims, claim POL-HC-6281, snapshot 2026-09-21 · checked 2026-09-29
  24. spkw-r1-08 · regulatory register
    POL-HC-8426 Vichy Catalan carbonated natural mineral water Vichy Catalan, a bicarbonated natural mineral water rich in mineral salts, contributes to reduce blood triglycerides rise during digestion -/- Non-authorised
    EU Register on nutrition and health claims, claim POL-HC-8426, snapshot 2026-09-21 · checked 2026-09-29
  25. ev-spw-10 · in vitro study
    In the hydroxyapatite dissolution assay, all of the waters demonstrated erosive potential (89-143%) similar to or greater than that of pure orange juice, an established erosive drink.
    International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry, 2007, 17(2):86-91 · checked 2026-10-07
  26. ev-spw-11 · expert consensus
    Eleven statements achieved the strongest (100%) agreement: five are related to diet and include identification and avoidance of dietary triggers, limiting alcohol, coffee and carbonated beverages, and advising patients troubled by postprandial symptoms not to overeat; the remaining six statements concern advice around smoking cessation, weight loss, raising the head-of-the-bed, avoiding recumbency after meals, stress reduction and alginate use.
    Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2024 · checked 2026-10-07
  27. ev-spwp-03 · randomized controlled trial
    However, the proximal stomach contained a greater proportion of solids (74 +/- 7% vs 56 +/- 8%, P < 0.05) and liquids (43 +/- 5% vs 27 +/- 4%, P < 0.05) with carbonated water as opposed to still water.
    Dig Dis Sci, 1997 · checked 2026-10-07
  28. ev-spwp-10 · dietary reference value
    The AI was set at 3.0 L/day for pregnant women and 3.8 L/day for breastfeeding women, which is an increase of 0.3 L/day and 1.1 L/day, respectively, compared to non-pregnant/non-breastfeeding women [13].
    Nutrients, 2016 · checked 2026-10-07
  29. spkw-r1-10 · randomized controlled trial
    Over the course of 12 weeks, compared to patients drinking plain water, those drinking mineral water had higher overall urinary volume (difference = 644.0 ml/24 h, 95% CI = (206.7, 1081.3)), higher overall urinary magnesium (difference = 1.894 mmol/24 h, 95% CI = (1.006, 2.782)), and pH (difference = 0.477, 95% CI = (0.149, 0.804)).
    Int Urol Nephrol, 2022 · checked 2026-09-29
  30. ev-spw-02 · RCT
    First, the study employed an open-label design because blinding was not feasible due to the perceptible sensory characteristics of carbonation.
    Sci Rep, 2026 · checked 2026-10-07
  31. ev-spw-07 · mechanistic hypothesis
    However, the amount is so small that it is difficult to expect weight loss effects solely from the CO2 in carbonated water.
    BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health, 2025, 8(1):e001108 · checked 2026-10-07
  32. ev-spwp-09 · Cochrane review of RCTs
    More women in the sucralfate group experienced complete relief of heartburn compared to women who received advice on diet and lifestyle choices (RR 2.41, 95% CI 1.42 to 4.07; participants = 65; studies = one).
    Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2015 · checked 2026-10-07
  33. ev-spwp-11 · cross-sectional study
    Non-adherence to the AI was observed among 42% of the total sample of pregnant women.
    Nutrients, 2016 · checked 2026-10-07
  34. spkw-r1-09 · systematic review
    In conclusion, the question of whether hypertensive patients should steer clear of sparkling water remains unanswered.
    Curr Nutr Rep, 2024 · checked 2026-09-29

Review. Reviewed on 2026-09-29 for evidence level, dose and population context, and claims a reader could misread. Bioma Learn has no human medical reviewer at this time, and we say so rather than invent one. Methodology. This is information, not medical advice.