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The Daily Insight

Why should you not drink carbonated beverages?

Author

Robert Guerrero

Updated on February 26, 2026

There are claims that carbonation increases calcium loss in bones, causes tooth decay, causes irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and can make you gain weight even without the calories, sugar, and flavor that are found in regular soda.

Hereof, is carbonated water healthy to drink?

The good news is, there's absolutely no evidence that drinking carbonated water has any effect on your calcium levels. Still, the acids in non-sugary sparkling drinks are weak, and so is the damage to your teeth. For comparison, soda was found to be about 100 times more damaging to teeth than simple sparkling water.

Furthermore, what happens when you drink carbonated water? While it won't cause IBS, carbonated water may cause bloating and gas, which can lead to IBS flare-ups if you are sensitive to carbonated beverages. The bottom line: if you have stomach issues and experience flare-ups after drinking carbonated water, you may be better off eliminating them.

Additionally, do carbonated drinks affect running?

Because of the carbonation, drinking soda pop before or right after a run is going to hurt your performance and recovery. A carbonated drink stays in your stomach for longer than a non-carbonated beverage, Bonci explains. The extra 140 calories in a single 12-ounce can of Coke isn't going to make or break your season.

What are the disadvantages of carbonated water?

Sure enough, I did a quick Internet search and found several websites warning that drinking carbonated water will leech calcium from your bones, causing osteoporosis. Others claimed that carbonated beverages can harm the enamel on your teeth, irritate your stomach, or even cause cancer.

Related Question Answers

What does sparkling water do to your stomach?

May increase feelings of fullness Carbonated water may also extend feelings of fullness after meals to a greater extent than plain water. Sparkling water may help food remain in your stomach longer, which can trigger a greater sensation of fullness ( 12 ).

Is carbonated water bad for your kidneys?

Carbonated beverage consumption has been linked with diabetes, hypertension, and kidney stones, all risk factors for chronic kidney disease. Cola beverages, in particular, contain phosphoric acid and have been associated with urinary changes that promote kidney stones.

Can sparkling water make you gain weight?

Can carbonated water make you gain weight? While plain carbonated water is a better choice than sugary beverages like soda, juice, or sweet tea, a small 2017 study revealed that plain carbonated water increased a hunger hormone called ghrelin in men. Even the beloved LaCroix may not be so perfect.

Can you drink too much carbonated water?

As long as it's plain carbonated water. This was a big concern for seltzer lovers and has been debunked in several studies now. Any seltzer with citric acid or sugar added, though, can contribute to the erosion of enamel and should be avoided.

What does carbonation do to your body?

Bubbles, bubbles everywhere Some people claim that carbonation increases calcium loss in bones, causes tooth decay and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and can make you gain weight even without the calories, sugar, and flavor that are found in regular soda.

What does carbonated water do to your body?

Carbon dioxide and water react chemically to produce carbonic acid, a weak acid that's been shown to stimulate the same nerve receptors in your mouth as mustard. However, drinking an acidic beverage like carbonated water does not make your body more acidic. Your kidneys and lungs remove excess carbon dioxide.

Is drinking sparkling water the same as drinking water?

Although there's not a huge amount of research on this yet, several studies have shown that, yes, sparkling water hydrates you just as well as still water (and nutritionists tend to agree). This makes sense, considering that carbonated water is just regular water infused with bubbly carbon gas.

Is Coke good after workout?

Drinking soda after exercise could damage kidneys. Downing a cool soft drink after a hot workout can feel refreshing. However, according to the latest research, it may cause further dehydration and interfere with kidney function. Caffeinated soft drinks that are high in fructose are hugely popular worldwide.

Why is carbonation bad for athletes?

A: I don't know about you, but after a long ride on a hot day, there's another cold, fizzy beverage that tastes really great to me…but I digress. Carbonated water isn't the best choice for post-workout hydration, but not because the bubbles interfere with your ability to absorb the water into your system.

Do athletes drink Coke?

Rodgers's soda routine reveals a surprising truth: Many high-level athletes not only drink the occasional soda, they use it strategically to fuel their performance. This persists amid the vilification of sugary soft drinks as a contributor to the nation's high rate of obesity.

Do athletes drink soda?

Rodgers's soda routine reveals a surprising truth: Many high-level athletes not only drink the occasional soda, they use it strategically to fuel their performance. This persists amid the vilification of sugary soft drinks as a contributor to the nation's high rate of obesity.

Can I drink soda after working out?

Drinking soda after exercise could damage kidneys. Downing a cool soft drink after a hot workout can feel refreshing. However, according to the latest research, it may cause further dehydration and interfere with kidney function. Caffeinated soft drinks that are high in fructose are hugely popular worldwide.

What should you drink after a workout?

Can't Believe It's Not Water — 5 Hydrating, Post-Workout Drinks
  1. Chocolate milk.
  2. Coconut water.
  3. Cherry juice.
  4. Tea.
  5. Beer.

Is drinking soda bad for muscle growth?

Excessive Cola Consumption Can Lead To Super-sized Muscle Problems, Warn Doctors. Summary: Doctors have issued a warning about excessive cola consumption after noticing an increase in the number of patients suffering from muscle problems.

Is soda bad before a workout?

Soda. This can give you the "daily double" of sugar and caffeine. You'll get a quickly disappearing rush of energy and lots of calories, along with all the issues caffeine can cause. It doesn't give you any nutritional value and isn't a good choice for hydration.

Is sparkling water bad for your stomach?

Let's start with the stomach. Fizzy water is made by adding carbon dioxide under pressure. The result is that water contains the weak acid, carbonic acid. If you drink a lot of sparkling water you might find you feel bloated, but researchers in Japan have found that this side-effect could be put to good use.

Can sparkling water cause kidney stones?

There are some common health concerns associated with drinking carbonated water — for instance, that it leaches calcium from the bones, causes kidney stones, and strips the enamel from your teeth — but these are not supported by clinical research.

Is carbonated water bad for you Mayo Clinic?

Seltzer and flavored sparkling waters are less acidic than other carbonated beverages, and an occasional drink is not harmful, but if you are an all-day sipper you could be hurting your teeth. As with most food and drink, moderation with carbonated water seems to be key.

Does sparkling water make you bloated?

While it won't cause IBS, drinking carbonated water may lead to bloating and gas, which can lead to IBS flare-ups if you're sensitive to carbonated beverages.