Sparkling Delight
It’s Naturally Bubbly!
Carbonated water can be natural. There are spots in the world where water comes out of the ground carbonated. This is usually called mineral water. Perrier water, for example, is naturally carbonated, but in processing, the gas is separated from the water, the water is filtered, and the carbonation is added back. They are called mineral waters because they contain minerals such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, and others.
Plainer Soda
Club soda, or soda water, often has some added minerals as well. It has about 120mg of sodium per 12oz glass, which is not much, but if you’re on a low sodium diet, 5 glasses will make up ⅓ of your daily sodium. Water labeled a plain seltzer usually has no added minerals, but check the label to be sure.
A Cordial Elixir
Tonic water is something different. It was created as a medicine to treat malaria. The extra ingredient in tonic water, quinine, treats simple cases of malaria. This is the source of its distinctive flavour. In British India, an officer mixed tonic water with gin to make it more palatable, and the gin and tonic was born. Medication compliance went way up!
Consign Quinine to Decline
Original medicinal tonic water contained a lot of quinine, but today it contains only a little, much less than would be required to treat malaria. Years ago, doctors prescribed quinine for leg cramps, although it may not work. Incidentally, tonic water glows under a black light because of the quinine.
Down to the Bone
People used to think that carbonation made drinks bad for bone health. It’s not the carbonation, but a compound in many dark soft drinks like coke. The compound (phosphoric acid) can interfere with calcium absorption. Plain carbonated water doesn’t contain the acid that harms bone health. In fact, plain carbonated water is an excellent replacement to a sugary pop or even a diet pop. It hydrates just like water.
Flavour Danger
Flavoured carbonated waters, often lemon or lime can be acidic. They can erode your teeth. Even with small amounts of flavour, carbonated water can become quite acidic. Don’t brush your teeth right after drinking one, as the acid softens enamel.
Pop, Pop, Fizz, Fizz, Oh What a Delight it is
Drinking carbonated water is particularly satisfying. The pop and fizz of the bubbles give it a sensation ordinary water doesn’t have. The fizz also makes the water feel cooler. Nothing beats the excitement of ice-cold, clear, carbonated water swishing its way through your mouth.
