We absolutely hate to burst your health bubble, but sadly, nothing is as good for you as run-of-the-mill tap water. She can be a bit boring, sure, but boring is better than a blood pressure spike.

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Seltzer water has become a popular drink in the last few years, on its own as well as in cocktails. It’s been praised for being a healthier option to traditional soda brands, often advertising little to no caloric intake.

The term “seltzers” often encompasses several types of carbonated beverages. Sparkling natural mineral water can contain natural carbonation and a variety of minerals like magnesium, calcium, and potassium. Perrier, San Pellegrino, and Mountain Valley are all examples of this type of water. Club soda is the second most common kind of seltzer, often artificially carbonated with some added salt for flavor, while commercially produced sparkling water may not contain any natural or added minerals at all.

Seltzer water comes in a variety of flavors, with a fizzy, refreshing taste that promises all the hydration of water and the satisfaction of soda, but without the insane amount of sugar or sugar-free alternatives often added to carbonated beverages. 

And know that we’ve sung its praises, let's discuss the setbacks.

Nutritional Downsides

While it’s not a problem in every kind of seltzer, certain brands do add sodium to their formula for the sake of flavor. This can be a bit of a kicker for some folks who need to watch their sodium intake. Canada Dry, Schweppes, San Pellegrino, Badoit, and some no-name brands all include sodium in their club sodas’ nutritional facts. 

Not to mention, constantly downing carbonated beverages can cause issues like irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, which can lead to some pretty severe problems if you’re not careful.

Like all carbonated beverages, it also takes a toll on your teeth. When carbon dioxide dissolves in water, it creates a pH of between 4.18 and 5.87. Our tooth enamel starts breaking down at a pH level of 5.5. Again, regular sodas are the primary culprit, but it’s a common occurrence among seltzers as well. 

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Alternatives

For all intents and purposes, seltzers are among the healthiest carbonated beverages you can consume. Like any other food or drink items, moderation is key. As long as you’re drinking plain seltzer water, the consensus seems to be that one a day is A-okay. 

If you still need a fun drink fix to switch up your daily hydration, try one of the following:

• Unsweetened milk

• Tea

• Coffee (make it decaf if you’re worried about caffeine intake)

• 100% fruit and vegetable juice

• Coconut water

• Water with lemons, cucumbers, mint, ginger, or berries

• Broth (why not?)

Again, everything should be consumed in moderation, and you should always consult a medical professional if something isn’t feeling right. That said, we’re here to enjoy this planet’s many gifts, and some carbonation here and there is probably the least of your worries.