Drinking sparkling water does impact weight, but not in the way most people think.

In recent years, researchers have increasingly focused on healthy eating — this includes not just food, but also beverages. Some believe that consuming carbonated water may be harmful to health, while other studies suggest that drinking soda can actually be beneficial for weight loss, as reported by Fox News.

Twenty years ago, Dr. Akira Takahashi, the head of medicine at the Tesseikai Neurosurgical Hospital in Osaka, Japan, conducted a groundbreaking study. He found that carbonated water does have an impact on weight loss by promoting a feeling of fullness. This helps reduce food intake and the overall number of calories consumed. At the same time, the researcher believes that simply drinking carbonated water, which burns calories through CO2 absorption, "is insufficient to make a significant impact."

For instance, during hemodialysis, even with a continuous supply of CO₂ for four hours, only about 9.5 grams of glucose is consumed. Unfortunately, it would be extremely difficult to drink carbonated water continuously for such a duration. As a result, the scientist concludes that just carbonated water is likely not enough.

A new report published in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention and Health suggests that carbonated water may provide unique health benefits and aid in weight loss by enhancing glucose absorption and metabolism in red blood cells.

In their work, researchers aimed to analyze the physiological effects of carbonated water, having discovered that it induces satiety and gastric motility — both of which reduce hunger. The team reviewed a 2004 study and found that carbonated water could facilitate weight loss by transforming into a byproduct of metabolism in red blood cells and increasing energy production.

However, researchers also found that the effect of carbonation is extremely minimal, and thus one should not expect significant results by merely consuming carbonated water. Consequently, scientists recommend not relying solely on carbonated water as a weight loss solution. Instead, this strategy can be integrated into a broader healthy lifestyle approach.

According to Dr. Kathleen Jordan, a chief physician and weight control specialist in California, water is generally very beneficial for the human body, but when it comes to weight loss, it is not enough. Diet choices and activity levels are likely to have an impact, the aforementioned expert stated, and medications can be "extremely helpful" for those struggling with weight.

Certified holistic nutritionist Robin DeChico from New York points out that the bubbles in soda can indeed create a feeling of fullness, but there are other consequences as well. However, carbonated water may also lead to bloating and gas. As a result, researchers advise those with chronic bloating, acid reflux, hiatal hernia, excessive bacterial growth in the small intestine, or other types of stomach sensitivity to avoid carbonated drinks.

Important! This article is based on the latest scientific and medical research and does not contradict them. The text is for informational purposes only and does not contain medical advice. For diagnosis, please consult a physician.