Is Carbonic Acid Unhealthy? You Should Know That

Sparkling water is popular, but some say it’s unhealthy. We have researched for you what is behind it and how carbonic acid in the drink is actually to be evaluated.

Carbonic acid healthy or unhealthy?

The tingling bubbles in the water glass or in the soda cause divided opinions: While some people think that carbonic acid is unhealthy, there are many experts, such as the German Society for Nutrition (DGE), who judge you in a completely relaxed manner. Only with certain sensitivities should carbonic acid be avoided. Their conclusion: In general, there is nothing wrong with the tingling in the drinking glass in normal consumption quantities.

• Obesity : Some argue that carbonated water makes you fat, even though it contains no calories itself. Among other things, they refer to a Palestinian study by the Birzeit University, in which it was shown on rats that carbonic acid promoted the production of the appetite hormone ghrelin. As a result, the animals consumed more food and were fatter than the control group with still water.
• Flatulence : Individual consumers report the flatulent effects of carbonated beverages. In fact, this effect is possible, but unlikely with moderate drinking habits. If you notice such an effect after drinking something containing carbonic acid, try to spread the drinking amount over a longer period of time in the future to avoid unpleasant flatulence.
• Heartburn : In sensitive people or pregnant women, carbonic acid can possibly provoke increased belching or reflux. Those who suffer from it should avoid carbonated drinks, especially in the evening hours before going to bed. However, evaluations of various studies apparently speak against this often subjective recommendation, because all in all they did not find any negative effects on reflux and heartburn.
• Bones: For a long time it was assumed that high consumption of carbonated drinks softened the bones because the carbonic acid put a strain on the acid-base balance and thus released calcium from the bone substance. This theory cannot be completely dismissed. However, studies have found increased associations with bone loss when caffeinated, carbonated drinks such as cola were involved, but not with pure sparkling water.
• Digestion : On the other hand, positive effects on digestion are described. The Association of German Healing Fountains, for example, praises the gentle digestive effect of carbonated medicinal water, as it stimulates the production of saliva and gastric juice and promotes blood circulation in the mucous membrane. A glass of sparkling mineral water in the morning can be a good start for sluggish digestive systems, according to the recommendation.
• Conclusion : The German Society for Nutrition (DGE) recommends drinking water and mineral water, whether carbonated or not, based on the current scientific data. She considers the tingling in the water to be harmless to health. However, you should rarely enjoy sugary carbonated sodas.

What is carbonic acid anyway?

Carbonic acid is a weak organic acid. It is formed when carbon dioxide (CO2) dissolves in water. The chemical formula for carbonic acid is H2CO2. CO2 in drinks is often colloquially equated with carbonic acid. It is more correct to call it free carbonic acid.

• Because carbonic acid is only poorly soluble, water with a high concentration releases quite a lot of CO2. This can be seen and felt in the water glass by the rising, bubbling bubbles. The warmer the water, the less carbonic acid it can dissolve in itself.
• As a rule, carbonated medicinal waters only contain around 1000 to 3000 mg/l and are therefore much gentler than average mineral waters, which contain up to 7000 mg/l.
• Carbonic acid is naturally already present in some mineral waters, but usually in small amounts. In bubbles with a lot of carbonic acid, it is pressed into the water at very high pressure. The pressure ensures that the carbon dioxide binds well in the water.