Sparkling water has minimal effect on glucose metabolism and is not a meaningful aid for weight loss

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 08:31:00 +0200

A brief analysis published in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health examines whether sparkling or carbonated water can support weight management by influencing blood sugar and energy processing. The author, Akira Takahashi, suggests that the CO2 in fizzy water is absorbed through the stomach lining and converted to bicarbonate in red blood cells, potentially creating a slight alkaline shift that may activate enzymes involved in glucose uptake and metabolism. This mechanism draws parallels to observations during hemodialysis, where blood glucose levels can drop as blood is processed. However, the overall impact is very small. In a typical four-hour hemodialysis session involving 48,000 ml of blood, only about 9.5 grams of glucose are used, indicating that any benefit from carbonated water would be negligible in everyday consumption. The article emphasizes that sparkling water alone cannot drive meaningful or sustainable weight loss. Claims about increased feelings of fullness, faster diges