Drinking fizzy water might help with weight loss, but the effects are very small, according to a brief analysis published in the journal BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health. While fizzy water could play a small role in weight management by improving how the body absorbs and uses glucose, it is not a solution on its own.
The author of the study emphasizes that regular exercise and a healthy, balanced diet remain the most important ways to lose weight and keep it off. Additionally, the long-term effects of drinking large amounts of carbonated water are still unknown.
Fizzy water is often said to be helpful for weight loss because it makes people feel full, which can reduce hunger. Some reports also suggest that it speeds up digestion and lowers blood sugar levels.
However, it’s not entirely clear how carbonated water might reduce blood sugar or contribute to managing weight. To explore this, the author compared the effects of drinking fizzy water with hemodialysis, a medical treatment that filters the blood when the kidneys cannot function properly.
During hemodialysis, blood becomes more alkaline due to the production of carbon dioxide (CO2). Similarly, when someone drinks fizzy water, the CO2 is absorbed through the stomach lining and quickly converted into bicarbonate in red blood cells.
This process, called alkalinization, can make red blood cells absorb and use glucose more efficiently by activating specific enzymes.
Observations during hemodialysis have shown that blood sugar levels drop as the blood is filtered, even though the dialysis process starts with a solution containing glucose. This finding suggests that CO2 might help reduce blood sugar levels.
However, the author points out that the amount of glucose reduced during a four-hour dialysis session is very small—about 9.5 grams—and much larger amounts of blood are involved in hemodialysis compared to what happens when drinking fizzy water.
This means that while carbonated water might slightly boost glucose metabolism, the impact is too small to rely on for weight loss. The author insists that a balanced diet and regular exercise are essential for sustainable weight management.
The analysis also highlights potential downsides to drinking fizzy water. For some people, especially those with sensitive stomachs or digestive issues like irritable bowel syndrome or acid reflux, carbonated water can cause bloating, gas, or other discomfort. Moderation is key to enjoying its potential benefits without experiencing these side effects.
Another expert, Professor Sumantra Ray, notes that while there is a possible link between fizzy water and glucose metabolism, more research is needed. Studies involving human participants are essential to confirm these effects.
Additionally, the benefits of carbonated water must be weighed against possible harms, especially if the water contains added ingredients like sodium, sugar, or other additives.
In conclusion, while fizzy water might offer some small benefits for weight loss, it is not a magic solution. The best approach to managing weight remains a combination of healthy eating, physical activity, and moderation.
For now, fizzy water can be enjoyed as part of a healthy lifestyle, but its effects on weight loss are minimal and not a substitute for proven methods.
If you care about weight loss, please read studies that hop extract could reduce belly fat in overweight people, and early time-restricted eating could help lose weight.
For more information about weight loss, please see recent studies that Mediterranean diet can reduce belly fat much better, and Keto diet could help control body weight and blood sugar in diabetes.
The research findings can be found in BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health.
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