Drinking Your Favorite Seltzer Water Could Be Making You Hungrier
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Seltzer water is a dream come true. It gives us that wonderful fizzy feeling without all the gross sugar and additives found in traditional sodas. It seems like a win-win situation. But new research suggests it might not be doing our eating patterns or dieting efforts any favors.
The carbon dioxide in all carbonated beverages (including our beloved LaCroix) activates the release of ghrelin, according to academics in the Department of Biology and Biochemistry at Birzeit University in Palestine, which observed the reaction in male rats. Ghrelin is one of the two hunger hormones at work in our bodies (the other being leptin), and it’s responsible for initiating mealtime — or telling us we’re hungry and need to eat ASAP.
These findings, which were published in the academic journal Obesity Research & Clinical Practice, reveal a pretty major role carbon dioxide gas in drinks plays in catalyzing weight gain and perpetuating the obesity epidemic. Unnecessary ghrelin release and stimulation encourage excess eating even when the body doesn’t need additional fuel. So if we’re sipping on our favorite soda water during the afternoon to stay hydrated at work and curb any unwanted snack cravings, we’re actually telling our bodies to do the opposite.
Previous seltzer water research also says that the carbonated water habit is bad for our teeth. Flavored seltzers especially have a lower pH than normal water, and that increased acidity eats away at our tooth enamel over time. Ugh.
We’re not saying you can’t enjoy these beverages from time to time. It’s just probably best to pair them with food so you don’t end up with unsubstantiated hunger pangs, and using a straw could be crucial in protecting our teeth. The more you know, we suppose.
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