Opinions differ on the question of whether mineral water is healthier and tastier than tap water. In addition, there is the almost confusingly large selection of water types in the supermarket. Therefore, we will tell you which 7 things happen if you drink sparkling water every day and what you should consider when buying.
In Germany we are in an extremely convenient and privileged situation: we can turn on the tap at any time and pour ourselves a glass of fresh H₂O without hesitation. Is it even worth reaching for packaged sparkling water from glass or plastic bottles? We explain the pros and cons to you so that you can make an informed decision in the future.
Table of Contents
These 7 things happen when you drink soda every day
1. You meet your mineral needs
This aspect gives the mineral water its name and at the same time represents the greatest advantage of sparkling water compared to tap water. Although the water from the tap also contains important minerals such as magnesium, calcium and sodium, the content can vary from region to region – even between individual districts – vary. For people with an increased need for minerals, it is therefore usually worthwhile to use bottled water. For athletes , magnesium and sodium-rich types of sparkling water are particularly relevant, since electrolytes are lost through sweat and the muscles need magnesium to contract. Calcium-rich mineral water is a practical option for vegans and women after the menopauseprevent osteoporosis . Therefore, when buying water, take the time to study the nutrient tables on the bottles to find the right water for you.
Tip: Most municipalities provide information on the mineral content of tap water on their internet portals. Alternatively, you can ask your water supplier directly and have a measurement taken if necessary.
2. You save calories
If you quench your thirst with delicious, sparkling mineral water, you are doing something for your dream figure in two ways. Because of course sparkling water contains no calories and is therefore always the healthier alternative to lemonade, cola, sweetened iced tea or energy drinks. You can also prevent cravings and snacking attacks by filling your stomach with water between main meals.
Tip: Drink a large glass of water immediately after waking up in the morning to compensate for the loss of fluids during the night and start the day full of energy.
3. You avoid pathogens
While lead pipes used to pose a health risk for tap water drinkers, they are now strictly forbidden in Germany and must be replaced. However, pathogens such as legionella can spread through the water in our pipes. The germs can cause flu-like symptoms and even pneumonia . Fortunately, such infections are rather rare. However, if you want to be on the safe side or have already had legionella in your water pipes, mineral water is a safe alternative.
4. You can get heartburn
If you like to drink sparkling water frequently instead of still mineral water, you could increase your risk of heartburn. Because the carbonic acid in the sparkling water causes your stomach acid to rise up into the esophagus when you belch , which can lead to extremely unpleasant heartburn. So if you have a sensitive stomach and regularly suffer from increased belching or heartburn, consider switching to still bottled or tap water .
5. They spend more money
Another negative aspect of the fizzy drink is its price. It’s still fairly cheap compared to other soft drinks. According to the consumer center, however, mineral water is on average about 100 times more expensive than tap water. Although this says nothing about the health effects of the water, it can be a decisive criterion for many consumers. You could invest the money you save in fresh fruit and vegetables, for example, to cover your nutritional needs.
Tip: To save yourself the money and lugging the crates, you can use a water bubbler. There are popular models from SodaStream or Levivo , for example .
6. Your tooth enamel may suffer
This disadvantage has not yet been finally clarified scientifically, since large-scale clinical studies have not yet been carried out. Nevertheless, laboratory studies indicate that tooth enamel that has already been damaged or sealed is attacked by the carbonic acid. This was shown, for example, by this Korean study , in which 75 molars were placed in sparkling water with varying degrees of carbonic acid. The hardness of the enamel decreased significantly in especially carbonated fizzers. Mineral water with less carbonic acid, on the other hand, did not damage the tooth enamel.
Tip: If you do not want to drink still water, try to use less carbonated types of sparkling water more often to protect your tooth enamel from possible damage.
7. They harm the environment
Depending on its origin, the mineral water you buy in the supermarket may have traveled a long way . For example, water from the Fiji Islands or from Norwegian glaciers is becoming more popular without consumers considering the high CO2 emissions. But mineral water tapped regionally can also be harmful to the climate if it is filled in disposable or PET bottles , for example . According to Codecheck , a total of 800 million PET bottles are in circulation in Germany every year, which, in contrast to returnable glass bottles, can only be reused 15 times.