Compare Carbonated Water With Tap Water

Carbonated water eases the symptoms of indigestion (dyspepsia) and constipation, according to a recent study in the European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Dyspepsia is characterized by a group of symptoms including pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen, early sense of fullness after eating, bloating, belching, nausea, and sometimes vomiting. Approximately 25% of people living in Western societies suffer from dyspepsia every year, and the condition accounts for 2 to 5% of all visits to primary care providers. Inadequate motion in the digestive tract (peristalsis) is believed to be an important cause of dyspepsia. Other gastrointestinal problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome and constipation, frequently accompany dyspepsia.

Antacid medications—over the counter acid neutralizers, prescription medicines that block stomach acid production, and medications that stimulate peristalsis—are primary treatments for dyspepsia. However, antacids can interfere with the digestion and absorption of nutrients, and there is a possible association between long-term use of the acid-blocking drugs and increased risk of stomach cancer. Other healthcare providers recommend dietary changes, such as eating small frequent meals, reducing fat intake, and identifying and avoiding specific aggravating foods. For smokers with dyspepsia, quitting smoking is also recommended. Constipation is treated with increased water and fiber intake. Some practitioners prescribe laxative medicines,some may diagnose for food sensitivities and unbalanced bacteria of the colon and treat these alleviate constipation.

In this study, carbonated water was compared with tap water for its effect on dyspepsia, constipation, and general digestive function. Twenty-one people with indigestion and constipation were randomly assigned to drink at least 1.5 liters daily of either carbonated or tap water for at least 15 days or until the end of the 30-day trial. At the beginning and the end of the trial all of the participants were given indigestion and constipation questionnaires and tests to evaluate stomach fullness after eating, gastric emptying (movement of food out of the stomach), gallbladder emptying, and intestinal transit time (the time for ingested substances to travel from mouth to anus).

Scores on the dyspepsia and constipation questionnaires were significantly better for those treated with carbonated water than for those who drank tap water. Eight of the ten people in the carbonated water group had marked improvement in dyspepsia scores at the end of the trial, two had no change and one worsened. In contrast, seven of eleven people in the tap water group had worsening of dyspepsia scores, and only four experienced improvement. Constipation scores improved for eight people and worsened for two after carbonated water treatment, while scores for five people improved and six worsened in the tap water group. Further evaluation revealed that carbonated water specifically decreased early stomach fullness and increased gallbladder emptying, while tap water did not.

Carbonated water is being used for a long time to cure digestive problems, however no research supports its effectiveness. According to research tap water contain less amount of carbon dioxide and minerals like sodium, potassium, sulfate, fluoride, chloride, magnesium, and calcium. Other studies have shown that both the bubbles of carbon dioxide and the presence of high levels of minerals can stimulate digestive function. Additional research is needed to determine whether this mineral-rich carbonated water would be more effective at relieving dyspepsia than would carbonated tap water.

Ways To Drink More And More Water

Water is a common chemical substance that is essential for the survival of all known forms of life. In typical usage, water refers only to its liquid form or state, but the substance also has a solid state, ice, and a gaseous state, water vapor. About 1.460 petatonnes (Pt) of water covers 71% of the Earth’s surface, mostly in oceans and other large water bodies, with 1.6% of water below ground in aquifers and 0.001% in the air as vapor, clouds (formed of solid and liquid water particles suspended in air), and precipitation.  Saltwater oceans hold 97% of surface water, glaciers and polar ice caps 2.4%, and other land surface water such as rivers, lakes and ponds 0.6%. Some of the water of the earth is contained within manufactured products, water towers, biological bodies and food stores. Other water is trapped in ice caps, glaciers, aquifers, or in lakes, sometimes providing fresh water for life on land.

Sometimes plain old water gets boring, and adding some flavoring can help you drink more. You can buy flavored water, of course, but I think it’s one of the most overpriced things in the store. Here are some ideas for drinking fluids that don’t include adding a bunch of sugar, or cost a bunch of money.

If you wish to stay far from the artificial additives and caffeine, you can mix some flavor to your water using the natural way:
• A twist of lemon or lime (or a little juice)
• A small piece of fruit
• A little unsweetened cranberry concentrate (look in health food stores)
• A slice of cucumber (subtle, but refreshing)
• A mint leaf or two (“bruise” them a little to release the flavor
If you don’t mind some artificial sweetener or other additives, try adding:
• A little diet cranberry juice (not “light”, but “diet” — the light kind has more sugar)
• Crystal Light, Unsweetened Kool-Aid, or other sugar-free drink mix (but check carefully for hidden carbs in some)
• Make a limeade or lemonade by adding some juice (1 gram of carb per tablespoon) and sweetener
• Any of the above flavorings can be added to plain club soda, seltzer water, or diet tonic water.
• Buy flavored sparkling waters at the store.

You should replace milk and soda with water to drink when you are thirsty, but do not force yourself to drink water. Overhydration can cause cramps while exercising!

Buy a Pur filter for your tap water if you don’t like regular! It cleans out germs & makes it taste more fresh. You can also purchase flavors for them like strawberry, peach or raspberry to make your tap water fruity as and when needed.

Aquafina has a product called FlavorSplash. FlavorSplash is a product that makes water fruit-flavored. Try this if you don’t like tap water!

One creative way to make water more thirst-quenching is by combining a teaspoon of honey with a Tablespoon of apple-cider vinegar and just enough hot water to melt to the honey. Stir well and add enough water to make a gallon. Chill it and enjoy after that! (There are many experts who recommend apple-cider vinegar for over-all health.)