Carbonated water, characterized by a tangy refreshing feeling, refers to water containing carbon dioxide in ordinary water. It is classified into water containing carbon dioxide in nature and carbonated water in which carbon dioxide is injected into drinking water. Unlike carbonated drinks, which are made by adding white sugar, starch syrup, honey, and starch syrup during the manufacturing process, carbonated water has no additives. Due to these characteristics, more and more people are drinking water instead of drinking water in recent years. It is also known to have several health benefits when consumed in moderation without overdoing it. Now, let’s take a look at the main effects of carbonated water and the side effects to be aware of when ingesting it.
The main benefits of carbonated water
1. Digestion
The first effect you get when you consume carbonated water is that it facilitates digestion. When carbonated water is ingested, it is applied to smooth muscles to improve gastrointestinal motility, thereby making digestion smoother and at the same time helping to improve digestive disorders. In addition, the carbonic acid and foam stimulate the mucous membrane of the mouth, promoting the secretion of saliva and gastrointestinal motility, which is beneficial in helping digestion. In addition, according to data published in the American Journal of Nutrition in 2004, carbonated water is known to help empty the gallbladder and increase the number of bowel movements in chronic constipation patients.
2. Fatigue
When you consume carbonated water, it helps to fill essential minerals such as magnesium, iron, and calcium, which are difficult to supplement with food alone, and has a beneficial effect on activating metabolism. In addition, it maintains the balance of minerals and water in the body, and it is said to help with fatigue recovery by neutralizing lactic acid that causes fatigue. However, if consumed in excess, it is recommended to consume in an appropriate amount as it will result in aggravating fatigue due to the acidity of carbonated water.
3. Skin Beauty
It is said that carbonated water can help manage healthy and smooth skin. If you use carbonated water when washing your face, it removes wastes deep into the pores, and the bubbles in the carbonated water evenly distribute oxygen to the skin, helping smooth blood circulation. In addition, it can be said that the effect of regulating the amount of sebum secretion can help to maintain healthy skin.
other effects
If you drink carbonated water before meals, it gives a feeling of satiety and allows you to eat only a small amount, which can help you lose weight. In addition, the water and carbon dioxide in carbonated water chemically react to create weak acidity, which stimulates nerve receptors in the mouth to change the mood. And the effect of relieving cough and preventing dehydration is also the effect obtained from the intake of carbonated water. In addition, carbonated water helps to get rid of the smell and fishy smell when handling meat and seafood, and it is said to help maintain freshness. In addition, it is said that if you marinate the meat with carbonated water for tenderizing action, the meat quality will be soft and the bad smell will disappear.
Side effects to watch out for when consuming carbonated water
Contrasting with the aforementioned effects, there are also side effects to be aware of. Excessive intake of carbonated water can increase the secretion of gastric acid due to the acidic component of carbonated water or irritate the stomach wall, leading to inflammation. In particular, carbon dioxide gas should be avoided in people with digestive system-related diseases such as gastritis or gastroesophageal reflux, as it can worsen symptoms such as heartburn. In addition, the low pH of carbonated water can cause erosion by eroding the enamel called the protective film of teeth. Therefore, it is recommended to consume carbonated water not exceeding 300ml per day. Commercially available carbonated water comes in a variety of flavors under the influence of additives, so it is a good idea to look at the ingredient list when choosing a product and check whether it contains artificial sweeteners.
