Does Carbonated Water Leach Calcium?

By Lisa L. Larkin



The question of whether or not carbonated water is any good for you is a good one. While some people claim that carbonation can be good for upset stomachs and constipation, carbonated water doesn't appear to be any different than still water from a nutritional perspective. The nutrition of water really depends more on the water itself than on whether or not the water is carbonated. The ideal glass of water will contain a good amount of calcium and magnesium, and a low sodium content.

There have been many claims that carbonation can cause calcium to leach from certain areas of the body. If this were true it would be bad news for your bones, since calcium contributes heavily to their strength. A deficiency of calcium leads to osteoporosis, a weakening of the bones, causing them to become fragile. Studies conducted to test for this effect have come up negative, however. This includes tests looking for the harmful effects of acids found in carbonated water other than the carbonic acid that is most prevalent.

A study at Creighton University tested for a link between drinking carbonated beverages and the release of calcium through the urine. If carbonation were stripping the bones of their calcium, the calcium would be excreted from the body. The study was unable to find any evidence of this occurring. Another study was conducted on Spanish women. They were instructed to drink carbonated water for a period of two months. At the end of the two month period, no effect was observed on their bodies. Their bones were found to be normal.

The primary ingredient in carbonated water other than the water itself is carbon dioxide, a chemical which is found in the human body at all times. In carbonated water, it exists in the form of carbonic acid, which is what gives carbonated beverages their bite. Carbonic acid has no known connection with a depletion of calcium in the human body, or any other animal for that matter.

Studies that have found a correlation between people who drink carbonated beverages and people who have a calcium deficiency point to the fact that people who drink such beverages are less likely to consume calcium rich beverages such as milk.

Resources: Carbonated Water and Calcium

To explore this topic in depth visit the Health Benefits of Water Guide at http://www.sophisticatededge.com. Your one-click-source for answers.

Sophisticated Media LLC Copyright © 2010
Article Source:  http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_L._Larkin