Sparkling water: your secret diet saboteur? This is how it works on losing weight!

Sparkling water: your secret diet saboteur? This is how it works on losing weight!

Kassel – When you take the first sip of a fizzy drink, you often don't think about the possible effects on your own diet. Many appreciate the sparkling refreshment and believe that carbonated water contains no calories. But a closer look shows that there are more complex connections that can influence weight loss.

The hormone ghrelin, also known as the “hunger hormone,” plays a crucial role. It is responsible for signaling to our brain that we are hungry. Interestingly, there is scientific evidence that consuming carbonated water increases ghrelin levels, meaning you feel the urge to eat more often. During a study published in the Journal of Nutrition in 2017, a clear connection was shown between drinking sparkling water and increasing ghrelin levels.

What do carbonated drinks do?

Although sparkling water itself is calorie-free, the increase in hunger could lead to increased calorie intake. This essentially makes it a possible “fattening agent,” even if you don’t suspect it at first glance. Many of us reach for sparkling water when we're thirsty - perhaps because it offers a welcome change from still drinks. But if you often tend to eat more after drinking soda, you may want to reconsider your drinking habits.

Additionally, other preferences may arise. The preference for the sparkling texture can lead to reaching for higher calorie drinks, such as lemonade or beer. These unhealthy alternatives usually have much higher calorie values ​​and can therefore seriously ruin the success of losing weight. This shows that sparkling water is not just a drink, but can also open the door to higher-calorie options.

It is also important to keep other influencing factors in mind. Every body reacts differently to carbonated drinks. While some people feel like snacking after a glass of fizz, others don't seem to notice any noticeable differences. Basically, everyone should find out for themselves how their own body reacts to such drinks.

Bloating and the voluminous feeling

Another aspect that should not be ignored is the fact that sparkling water can also cause flatulence. Carbon dioxide builds up in the stomach and often leads to a feeling of fullness and discomfort. Many people report belching after drinking soda, which is not necessarily pleasant for socializing. Good support for the abdominal circumference, but the bloating is often only short-term and has no lasting effects.

This raises the question of which form of water is the healthier choice: sparkling or still? For many, sparkling water does not pose a direct threat to the diet, but it may be useful to monitor drinking behavior. If you find that fizzy drinks make you hungry or lead to higher food intake, you may want to consider drinking more still water.

Being conscious of your diet is crucial, and this also applies to overlooked details like the drink you choose. Making conscious decisions and paying attention to which liquids influence your hunger can contribute to a healthier lifestyle in the long term. However, if you don't see any negative effects, you don't have to give up the refreshing fizzy joy.