The Nuance
Can Drinking Seltzer Lead to Weight Gain?
Turns out those bubbles may be trouble
Every week, the Nuance will go beyond the basics, offering a deep and researched look at the latest science and expert insights on a buzzed-about health topic.
The beverage that was once relegated to Perrier-sipping sophisticates is now among the most popular in America, and for obvious reasons: Who wants to drink boring still water when you can titillate your taste buds with a snappier alternative like LaCroix Pamplemousse? Especially for erstwhile (or still-hooked) soda addicts, sparkling water is a helpful aid — a drink with all the effervescence and none of the sweetener-induced guilt.
But every now and then, sparkling water devotees may have heard whispers that the bubbles in their favorite beverage may not be harmless.
Historically, much of that whispering has to do with the studied links between certain carbonated beverages and bone health. While results have been mixed, some research has linked carbonated drinks with an increased risk for bone fractures. But sparkling-water lovers can breathe easy on the bone-health front; while some of the study headlines seem scary, the concerns surrounding carbonated drinks and bone health seem relegated to soft drinks — colas in particular.
