Drinking Sparkling Water During Pregnancy

Carbonated water, commonly known as sparkling water, has gained significant popularity recently owing to its refreshing quality and purported health advantages. Craving sparkling water during pregnancy is quite common, especially during scorching summers. But just because something is trendy doesn’t necessarily mean it’s safe to consume while pregnant. Here are some things to consider before reaching for sparkling water during pregnancy.

What Is Sparkling Water?

Sparkling water is both naturally occurring and artificially produced; water.

Natural sparkling water: Natural Sparkling water is produced when volcanic gases dissolve in freshwater sources like springs or wells. There are sometimes traces of minerals like salt and calcium in naturally carbonated water.

Artificial sparkling water: Carbon dioxide gas is pumped into water under pressure to create sparkling water, also called carbonated water. Due to the introduction of bubbles, the water becomes sparkling and appealing to drink.  

In addition to its usage as a mixer in alcoholic beverages, sparkling water is a popular non-alcoholic beverage in its own right. It’s also enjoyed on its own as a healthy swap for sugary sodas and plain water. To be clear, sparkling water is not the same as soda or other carbonated soft beverages, which often include additional components like sugar or artificial sweetener. Generally speaking, sparkling water is a better choice than these sugary drinks- anytime.

Some brands of carbonated water use natural fruit juices as a sweetener, while others use artificial sweeteners and even alcohol and caffeine. There are a wide variety of flavors available for sparkling water, from simple to citrus to berry and beyond. No artificial sweeteners or sugars are used in its production, and it has no calories unless natural flavors are added, as is the case with certain flavor variations.

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Is It Safe To Drink Sparkling Water During Pregnancy?

Supporting circulation between mother and child is one of the top reasons why drinking ample water is so important during pregnancy.  Sparkling water is generally safe to drink during pregnancy and can be a good option for keeping hydrated. It is an excellent choice to make in place of sugary sodas and fruit juices. Yet, not every brand of carbonated water is the same. Some sparkling water contains added sugars, artificial sweeteners, and artificial flavors. Similarly, pregnant women shouldn’t consume alcoholic sparkling water.

Side effects of sparkling drinks with added sugars or artificial sweeteners include:

• Tooth decay: Certain brands of carbonated water contain high levels of sugar, which can lead to dental caries
• Bloating and gas issues: Pregnant women may experience gas and bloating due to the carbonation present in sparkling water

Furthermore, it is important to note that excessive consumption of sparkling water during pregnancy may not be advisable. So, while pregnant, try to limit your intake of sparkling water. 

Related Reading: 9 Side Effects Of Coconut Water During Pregnancy

Benefits Of Drinking Sparkling Water During Pregnancy

There are many positive effects that sparkling water has on one’s health. For example, calcium was retained more effectively after eight weeks of consuming 34 ounces (one liter) of sodium-rich sparkling water daily as compared to ordinary mineral water, according to one study.

Following are some of the benefits of sparkling water during pregnancy:

• Helps to stay hydrated: Just like normal water, sparkling water can help you stay hydrated. During pregnancy, it is very important to drink enough water to stay healthy. When they’re thirsty, pregnant women often don’t want to drink plain water but instead choose fruit juices or other drinks with caffeine and extra sugar. That’s not good for a healthy pregnancy. If you find plain water boring or struggle to drink enough, sparkling water can add some variety and make it more enjoyable to stay hydrated
• Can aid digestion: Those who encounter gastrointestinal issues may potentially alleviate their symptoms by consuming sparkling water. According to research findings, its consumption may potentially alleviate symptoms associated with constipation, including abdominal discomfort and irregular bowel movements
• The findings suggest that carbonated water exhibits the highest capacity for activating the neural pathways that govern the act of swallowing. These beneficial effects increased due to the combined effects of carbonation and a low temperature¹. So it is beneficial to drink sparkling ice water during pregnancy
• Nausea relief: Many pregnant women experience nausea or morning sickness. Carbonated beverages have been used as a remedy for nausea for a considerable period. Carbonation has the potential to reduce the acidity of the stomach, making it easier for nausea to fade away². Having flavored sparkling water while pregnant also contributes to getting relief from nausea
• A good option for women with gestational diabetes: Sparkling water, which does not contain any additional sweeteners, is a safe beverage option. Therefore, it may be included in the dietary regimen for gestational diabetes during pregnancy. It will be a real blessing to have flavored sparkling water while pregnant with gestational diabetes. It also mitigates the likelihood of excessive weight gain and obesity

Precautions When Drinking Sparkling Water During Pregnancy

It is imperative to maintain adequate hydration levels during pregnancy by consuming ample fluids. As per expert opinion, consuming pure water is considered the most suitable beverage during pregnancy. If you’re trying to cut down on calories without giving up essential nutrients, sparkling water might be a good place to start. But always choose the best sparkling water for pregnancy. It is important to exercise caution when consuming sparkling water during pregnancy.

Here are a few things to keep in mind: 

• Choose varieties without additives: Opt for sparkling water that is free from added sugars, artificial sweeteners, and artificial flavors. Read the label to ensure it contains only carbonated water and natural flavors, if any
• Sodium content may cause issues: Be aware that some brands of sparkling water may have sodium added to them. To prevent fluid retention and high blood pressure, it is best to select varieties with low or no sodium content
• Monitor carbonation intake: While carbonation itself is generally safe during pregnancy, excessive consumption of carbonated beverages may contribute to gas and bloating. If you find that sparkling water leads to discomfort or excessive bloating, you may want to limit your intake or switch to normal water
• Don’t ignore your teeth: Pregnancy poses a risk to your dental health. When comparing the effects of different beverages on teeth, sparkling water is preferable to sugary sodas. Even then, make sure to drink plenty of water every day to help flush out your mouth. Fluoride is commonly found in regular water, and it aids in the prevention of cavities by remineralizing teeth. Water helps combat dry mouth, which can be detrimental to your dental health. Flavored drinks frequently contain high levels of acid that can cause erosion of your tooth enamel. Citric acid can combine with carbonic acid and contribute to the erosion of your teeth. It is advisable to steer clear of sparkling water that has citric acid in it
• Consider the acidic nature: Because of the acidity created during the carbonation process, sparkling water is sometimes on the acidic side. Although the acidity is usually modest and unlikely to cause damage, those who suffer from acid reflux or other digestive difficulties may find that normal water is more tolerable
• Caffeine content: Some flavored sparkling waters may contain added caffeine. It’s important to be mindful of your caffeine intake during pregnancy, as high amounts can affect fetal development². Choose caffeine-free sparkling water options or those with very low caffeine content
• Drink plenty of normal water as well: Never reduce your water consumption because you have access to carbonated water. It is recommended that you drink no more than three to four glasses of sparkling water each day and stick to plain water for the remainder

Conclusion

It is strongly recommended that pregnant women restrict or avoid the consumption of various items that are deemed detrimental to their health, such as smoking, processed meats and sugars, caffeine, and alcoholic beverages. Rather than surrendering to temptation or practicing abstinence, a viable approach to satiating one’s cravings and fulfilling one’s dietary needs is to identify superior substitutes. In certain instances, a pregnant woman may experience fatigue from consuming plain water, leading to a tendency to select carbonated beverages or other artificially flavored alternatives for convenience. However, a more intelligent alternative would be sparkling water. The beverage can be consumed in its original state or enhanced by incorporating diced fruits, vegetables, and specific herbs, providing limitless possibilities for customization.