Drinking water is a good thing. But you still have to know which one to choose... because between plain water and sparkling water, it's a bit of a mess! Which one to consume to be at the top level of health? Fourchette & Bikini kicks off the game!

Water is the main constituent of the body: our body contains 60% on average, or the equivalent of 43 liters for a 70 kg adult. Vital to our body, water is used to transport nutrients to cells, eliminate accumulated waste and regulate body temperature.

Whether bottled or from the tap, water contains micronutrients (calcium, sodium, magnesium, fluoride, etc.) in varying quantities. The bottled water sold is either still, sparkling or flavored, or spring water, treated water or natural mineral water. Each of them has trace elements that are best assimilated by the body.

Still water vs sparkling water

Water is still when it does not contain carbon dioxide. Spring water or tap water... Both natural and of underground origin, they are rich in minerals. If the composition of spring water is not stable, that of the second is, but varies from one tap water to another.

  • Still water becomes carbonated if it contains more than 250 mg/l of carbon dioxide. It is said to be “strong gaseous” if this content exceeds 1000 mg/l.

As for carbonated, sparkling or carbonated water, it is made from mineral water to which carbon dioxide or carbon dioxide is added (which turns into bubbles when a bottle is opened). Two types exist:

  • Natural sparkling water, containing carbon dioxide at its source, that is to say that water and gas coexist in the same underground water table. It can sometimes be "reinforced" with its own gas (captured separately at depth) at the time of bottling.
  • Carbonated mineral water, still mineral water to which carbon dioxide (from different sources) has been added at the factory at the time of bottling.


Sparkling water is attracting more and more consumers and is invading supermarket shelves. And for good reason, the number one argument is the pleasure it provides! The bubbles it contains are stimulating for the taste buds and cause a chemical reaction in the mouth, making it much more refined and fun for the palate. Moreover, many people find plain water too bland and prefer to "bubble" with pleasure with sparkling water...
 
Regarding its composition, sparkling water is richer in minerals (magnesium, calcium, sodium, iron, etc.) and bicarbonates (especially soda) than plain water. Its antacid properties would facilitate transit (nausea, indigestion, constipation, heartburn...), swallowing function, esophageal transit and would accelerate gastric emptying... Only beneficial for people with disorders digestives. Its calcium intake is valuable if you do not consume enough dairy products. Its bicarbonates? They fight against the acidity produced by the muscles during physical exertion. Results ? More thirst-quenching than plain water, sparkling water helps to recover better after a sports session. But beware, in case of excessive consumption, bicarbonates can cause a feeling of bloating and cause irritation or intestinal colitis. What about its salt content? Much stronger than plain water, it can be a problem for people who need to watch their salt intake and/or suffer from high blood pressure, heart and kidney disease, or for pregnant women, women suffering from fluid retention. water, and young children. In short, to avoid these inconveniences, it is better to get information from a doctor.



Verdict?

The virtues and disadvantages described above, relating to sodium and bicarbonates, are not exclusively reserved for sparkling waters but for certain mineral waters. Thus, plain water can provide the same effects.
Mineral waters, still or sparkling, are by definition characterized by the trace elements and minerals they naturally contain. The "weakly mineralized" are used for their diuretic effect in people suffering from kidney stones and hypertensives. Calcium-rich waters are indicated in particular for adolescents, pregnant women, osteoporotic and/or elderly people. As for sulphurous waters, they have a laxative effect, recommended in case of constipation. Some even have a high concentration of fluoride and should not be consumed continuously, at the risk of causing the appearance of white spots on the teeth and weakening them. We must also be wary of flavored mineral waters which can be sweet for some and therefore, once ingested, bring “empty” calories.
 
Anyway, it is not a question of choosing between flat waters or sparkling waters but between weakly or richly mineralized waters. They provide more or less micronutrients, minerals and trace elements as they provide more or less effects to the body. Even if they should ideally be drunk at a dose of 1.5 liters per day, you have to be careful with the labels!
 

Results ? Still water = sparkling water