Seltzer water, crowned with the halo of a "healthy, fashionable alkaline water," has recently become a popular beverage. Although a bottle of seltzer water, which looks no different from ordinary soda, sells for several times the price of plain purified water, it is still consumed by many. So, is seltzer water really, as advertised, capable of neutralizing acid toxins in the body and improving an acidic constitution?
Drinking water cannot change the human body's pH value
To determine whether seltzer water can improve an acidic constitution, we must first clarify the following questions: Is the internal environment of a normal human body acidic or alkaline, and what is its pH value (acidity-alkalinity)? Is seltzer water acidic or alkaline, and what is its pH value? Does the pH value of human blood change with the pH value of the food or beverages consumed? After understanding these issues, we will have a new understanding of seltzer water.
The normal pH range for human blood is 7.35 to 7.45, which is slightly alkaline. This stable pH value is known as acid-base balance. When the blood pH is less than 7.35, it is medically termed acidosis; if it is greater than 7.45, it is alkalosis. Both acidosis and alkalosis are collectively referred to as acid-base imbalance.
Water is a nutrient for the human body and an important component, accounting for about 60% to 70% of the weight of a healthy adult. Water participates in all physiological functions of the body. The daily water requirement for a healthy adult is 2.5 liters (including water from food, meals, and fruits). The Chinese Nutrition Society recommends that the daily water intake for healthy adults should be no less than 1.2 liters. Boiled tap water is the safest and most economical choice for drinking water, and it is best to drink it in small amounts frequently.
The pH of the boiled water we usually drink is about 7.0, which is neutral, while the pH of distilled water is about 4.5. After a healthy person drinks water, it passes through the stomach (gastric juice has a pH of 0.9 to 1.5 and is acidic) and enters the intestines, where most of it is absorbed (a small amount is absorbed in the stomach). This process includes the exchange and transport of cations and anions, pH regulation, excretion of metabolites, and absorption of nutrients. The regulation of acid-base balance by the kidneys and intestines is the foundation for maintaining the body's acid-base balance.
After a healthy person drinks water with different pH values, the body will adjust it to the required normal pH value, thus keeping the blood pH within the normal range. It is evident that the body's pH value does not change due to the pH value of the drinking water.
Long-term consumption will not cause alkalosis
Seltzer water originated in 1800 at a perfume shop in Philadelphia, where the owner added soda to juice to serve customers. In 1834, John Mathews' company in New York City officially began production. This product was introduced to our country in the 1950s. Seltzer water is a type of beverage containing 0.4 to 0.6 grams of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) per liter, or it is made by saturating drinking water and beverages with carbon dioxide.
So, what are the benefits of seltzer water to the human body? What is the purpose of drinking it?
On a hot summer day, when people drink seltzer water, carbon dioxide is produced in the stomach and expelled as belches, releasing heat and making people feel refreshed. The gastrointestinal system quickly adjusts the pH of the slightly alkaline seltzer water entering the body to the pH of the body's internal environment through its own regulatory functions. This cycle repeats, and even with long-term consumption, the body's acid-base balance remains within the normal range.
Currently, there is no evidence to prove that seltzer water has health benefits or balances the body's acid-base levels in healthy individuals, nor are there any reports of it causing alkalosis. The acid-base balance of healthy human blood is autonomously regulated by the body and cannot be disrupted by any food or beverage. Therefore, drinking seltzer water, mineral water, boiled water, etc., is entirely a personal choice.
Sweetened seltzer water should not be consumed frequently
Sweetened seltzer water: various carbonated drinks like Coca-Cola and Sprite. Drinking this type of seltzer water in moderation is generally not a problem, but if consumed in large quantities over a long period, one should be alert to the effects of high sugar and high calories on the body. High energy intake can lead to obesity, which is closely related to many non-communicable diseases. High-sugar seltzer water can cause blood sugar levels to rise, stimulate insulin secretion, and repeated spikes in blood sugar and excessive insulin secretion can lead to diabetes. In addition, high sugar can also increase blood triglycerides, thereby increasing the risk of hyperlipidemia and coronary heart disease.
Sugar substitute seltzer water: This type of seltzer water was developed for people who like sweets but need to control their calorie intake. However, the sugar substitutes in this type of seltzer water still produce a certain amount of calories; for example, 1 gram of aspartame can produce 4 kilocalories. Drinking large quantities of such beverages also carries a risk of developing hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes.
In addition, the safety of sugar substitutes is also a concern for food scientists, nutritionists, and health professionals. For example, saccharin (sodium cyclamate) has been found to be carcinogenic in animal experiments and has certain effects on the liver and nervous system. Therefore, it has been banned in the United States since the 1960s. Neotame, when hydrolyzed in the body, can generate de-esterified neotame and methanol. Each sugar substitute has a maximum allowable usage and intake level. If sugar substitute seltzer water is consumed in large quantities over a long period, the intake of sugar substitutes will far exceed the standard.
Regular seltzer water: Its pH value is 7.5 to 9.0, which is slightly alkaline. Because it does not contain sugar or sugar substitutes, it is safer to drink. Currently, there are no reports of adverse effects on the human body from drinking regular seltzer water.