Does Sparkling Water Count As Water Intake (Water Hydrate!)

Have you ever asked yourself or your friend if sparkling water counts as water intake? Well, you are at the perfect place to find the answer to such a question.

Daily hydration is one of the most important parts of self-care and promoting wellness. Water intake affects energy levels, brain functioning, as well as various other parts of functioning day to day. 

For those who get tired of drinking plain, flat water every day, sparkling water comes as a refreshing alternative to daily hydration.

But you may be wondering, does sparkling water count as water intake? The short answer is, yes, sparkling water is just as hydrating as flat water and counts towards your daily water intake. It’s basically equivalent – you can drink the same amount of sparkling water and flat water and get just as hydrated. 

In this guide, we’ll explore the similarities between flat water and sparkling water in terms of water intake.

We’ll also look at how sparkling water gets made and which types to avoid if you want it to have optimal hydration powers.

How Is Sparkling Water Made?

In order to compare sparkling water to regular, flat water, we need to look at how exactly sparkling water gets produced.

Sparkling water is among different types of carbonated waters, including club soda, tonics, seltzers, and sparkling water products.

The thing that sets sparkling water apart from these other carbonated waters is that sparkling water typically contains no additives.

On the other hand, club sodas contain mineral additives, such as potassium sulfate and sodium chloride, to add a bit of flavor.

Sparkling water is essentially the same as seltzer water, though, since it’s typically just a result of adding high gas pressure to low-temperature water, resulting in carbonic acid. 

Further, sparkling water differs from tonic since tonic is a result of adding carbonation, minerals, and quinine to water.

Tonic is often bitter, whereas sparkling water is usually plain or in some cases sweet with additives. 

Sparkling Water’s Hydrating Properties

The only main difference between sparkling water and regular water is that sparkling water contains a small amount of carbonic acid from the fizziness.

While some worry that this acidic content may affect the drink’s ability to properly hydrate the drinker, there is no such interference in the hydration process. 

In fact, sparkling water is widely accepted as just as hydrating as regular water.

This means that you can consume the same amount of sparkling water as you would consume regular water, and you’ll achieve the same level of hydration. 

Since most people ought to drink eight 8-ounce cups of water (64 ounces) every day in order to stay properly hydrated, then you ought to drink 64 ounces of sparkling water per day if that is your chosen water alternative. 

Read also: Who Makes Kirkland Sparkling Water (Price, Cans)

Do Sparkling Waters with Additives Still Hydrate You?

This is a good question to ask before stocking up on sparkling water in place of drinking regular water for hydration.

Most sparkling waters do not have additives besides the occasional natural flavor or essence to make them less plain-tasting.

However, you will find the occasional sparkling water product containing added sugars or sweeteners. 

While this type of sparkling water may contribute to an unhealthy sugar intake, which can lead to issues like diabetes or weight gain, the sugar doesn’t make sparkling water inherently less hydrating.

You should be able to drink almost any sparkling water in place of regular water to stay hydrated. 

Read also: Does Sparkling Water Give You a Beer Belly? (The Truth!)

Benefits of Sparkling Water Hydration

The benefits of drinking sparkling water for hydration are pretty similar to the benefits of drinking regular water for hydration.

However, there are some added benefits of sparkling water, such as the taste enhancement and the general desire to drink it since it has fizziness.

The carbonation is arguably less boring than flat water, and some people find that they prefer the taste. 

Another benefit of sparkling water over regular water for hydration is that sparkling water works well as a mixer for punch or juice.

So, if you’re wanting to have a flavored drink and also work on hydrating yourself, you could always add sparkling water to achieve the fizzy taste.

This way, you can bypass a cola, which would be way less healthy and less hydrating due to the caffeine content. 

Aside from these benefits, though, sparkling water is really good for hydration. And ultimately, if you are able to stay well-hydrated, then many aspects of daily life improve, such as reduced headaches, less inflammation, better sleep, better moods, better ability to fight infection, and more. 

Possible Downsides of Sparkling Water Hydration

On the other hand, there are some possible cons to choosing sparkling water over regular water. The main downside is that it’s more expensive.

It costs much less to buy flat water, especially when you can get water for free from the tap. 

The other downside of sparkling water hydration is that carbonation doesn’t always mix well with everyone’s digestion.

Some people find that they experience more bloating or issues with gas when they consume carbonated beverages.

This could be a reason to just stick with flat water if you want to stay hydrated comfortably. 

Conclusion

Staying hydrated is an essential part of being human. So much of everyday life depends on sustaining our bodies and their need for water. 

If you want to maintain proper hydration and still be able to enjoy a fizzy drink, then you should consider sparkling water as a comparable alternative to flat water.

It’s just as hydrating and makes a less boring option if you still want to get in your 64 ounces a day. 

References

https://www.borgandoverstrom.com/en/blog/the-history-of-sparkling-water/

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/does-sparkling-water-hydrate-you