Carbonated Waters: Are They Healthy?

Carbonated water is now a one and a half billion dollar business according to the latest industry research. But is it good for you?

Sales of carbonated water in the United States have doubled over the past five years.

"The taste is a little bit different a little bit sparkly I guess," said Derek Thomas, after tasting the fizzy beverage.

"I have a family of diabetics who still drink them because I can't convince them that they should just drink water," said Terry Cogan, whose family drinks carbonated water.

However, not all fizzy water is the same and so dieticians say its important to read the labels.

"The best bet is to choose something without any sweeteners at all," said Despina Hyde, a registered dietician.

Sweeteners are often found in tonic and flavored sparkling waters. Some have added sugar and even the ones with artificial sweeteners can lead to cavities and weight gain.

"While they still don't have calories or sugar, they may be effecting our taste buds our satiety or hunger later in the day."

Then there are drinks like seltzer and club soda, which are essentially bubbly water. Carbonated waters do pose a slight risk to people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome because they can cause bloating and club soda contains sodium. However, overall, both are healthier choices than sugary sodas. For the healthiest alternative, infuse regular water with your favorite fruit.

"We're drinking too many calories and so finding these alternatives are great," Hyde said.

Some people also think carbonated water prevents the body from absorbing calcium which increases the risk of osteoporosis. But experts say there is no evidence that carbonated water affects bone density.