Drinking water is a health habit that everyone should adopt!
It helps keep your body hydrated, supports proper digestion, and keeps your skin looking great.
But when it comes down to drinking water, there are two main types of water: clear or carbonated.
You can’t really tell the difference between them without looking at their labels, but they have some important differences.
So before we get into how to choose whether to drink seltzer or sparkling water, let’s look at the differences between seltzer and sparkling water first.
What’s the difference between seltzer and sparkling water?
In case you’re wondering what seltzer is, it’s an artificially flavored drink made from distilled water with added salt and sugar.
The word “seltzer” is derived from the German word for “distilled.”
While this sounds good, it doesn’t necessarily mean that seltzer is healthier than other forms of water.
In fact, most people consider it to be just another type of soda.
And while soda itself isn’t bad for you, neither is seltzer.
Sparkling water, however, is a whole different story.
This water has been infused with carbon dioxide to give it its distinctive bubbly taste.
As a result, it contains more oxygen than plain old tap water.
Although some people still think that sparkling water is just another form of soda, others believe that it’s actually better for you than plain old water.
Which one is healthier?
If you want to know which is healthier, then you need to keep two things in mind:
What’s in the bottle and how much sugar is in each bottle.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sparkling mineral water has no measurable amount of sugar or sodium, making it healthier than regular tap water.
On the flip side, seltzer does contain sodium, as well as sugar and artificial sweeteners, like aspartame.
The CDC also notes that because seltzer is often consumed by children, it could lead to obesity and tooth decay.
However, since seltzer is low in calories, it won’t add too many extra pounds onto your frame if you drink it regularly.
Which one has more bubbles?
Another way to determine which one is healthier is to look at how many bubbles each has.
While both seltzer and sparkling water have bubbles, the volume of bubbles differs greatly between the two.
For example, 1 liter of seltzer will only have about 80-100 bubbles compared to 400-500 bubbles in a full glass of sparkling water.
That means that sparkling water is going to provide a greater number of bubbles per serving — hence why it’s considered to be healthier.
Which one tastes better?
While both carbonated waters deliver a pleasant, refreshing taste, sparkling water is known to have a more distinct taste.
Since carbonation is what gives it its unique taste, sparkling water is generally preferred over seltzer.
Some people even argue that sparkling water has a higher alcohol content than seltzer.
But according to the American Beverage Association (ABA), the average alcoholic content of a bottle of seltzer is 0.00 percent.
On the other hand, the ABA reports that the average alcoholic content of a bottle of sparkling water is 0.04 percent.
Which one is more refreshing?
Both types of water are refreshing, but seltzer is said to be less refreshing than sparkling water.
According to Dr. Alan Greene, a professor of medicine and director of the Center for Healthy Weight and Nutrition at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, seltzer may cause dehydration because it doesn’t have enough natural sugar to stimulate thirst.
Because of this, he recommends drinking plain water instead of seltzer when you’re thirsty.
If you don’t feel like drinking plain water, you can always try adding a slice of lemon to your water bottle to make it more appealing.
Which one is lower in calories?
One of the biggest differences between seltzer and sparkling water is the calorie count.
According to the ABA, a bottle of seltzer contains around 35 calories, whereas a bottle of sparkling water contains around 130 calories.
This makes sparkling water the best option if you want to lose weight and stay slim.
While the number of calories in a bottle of seltzer is almost double that of sparkling water, it’s still nowhere near the amount of calories that you would find in a bottle of cola.
Which one has more flavor?
You might think that seltzer is better because it has more flavor, but this couldn’t be farther from the truth.
Seltzer is made with artificial flavors, so you won’t be able to detect any real flavor in it.
On the other hand, sparkling water contains real fruit juices and natural flavors which give it a richer taste.
Which one is better for you?
As a matter of fact, neither seltzer nor sparkling water are particularly good for you.
They both contain artificial ingredients that aren’t exactly safe for consumption.
For instance, seltzer contains high amounts of artificial sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose, as well as phosphoric acid which can damage teeth.
And while sparkling water may have fewer calories, it’s not all that great for you either.
For starters, it contains high levels of carbon dioxide which can lead to headaches.
Plus, it doesn’t have the same health benefits as plain old water.
Which one do you prefer?
After reading this article, you now have plenty of information to help you make the decision regarding whether you should drink seltzer or sparkling water.
But if you’re confused, here’s a quick guide to help you figure out which one you should pick:
If you’re trying to lose weight, then sparkling water is probably the way to go.
If you’re looking to cut back on your caffeine intake, then seltzer may be the answer for you.
If you’re concerned about health issues such as diabetes and heart disease, then seltzer is probably not the best choice for you.
When in doubt, stick to plain old water.
If you want something that tastes great but isn’t quite as healthy as the alternative, then consider sparkling water.
If you’re looking for a non-sweet drink to quench your thirst, then seltzer is the way to go.
Now that you know the ins and outs of seltzer vs sparkling water, you can make a sound decision about which one is best for you and your lifestyle.
RAINBOW FRUIT SPARKLING WATER
Equipment
- 1 glass
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Tea
- 1 cup Strawberry
- 1 cup Orange
- 1 cup Lemon
- 1 cup Kiwi
- 800 ml Soda
- 300 ml Water
Instructions
- Steep dried butterfly pea tea in a big glass of boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes. Cool off and set aside.
- 75ml of butterfly pea tea, 1/4 cup each of sliced strawberries, sunkist oranges, lemons, and kiwis should all be placed in a serving glass.
- Fill the glass to the brim with cold, sweetened soda water.
Video
Nutrition
I have a true passion for cooking and experimenting with new ingredients, and I have been creating and perfecting recipes for friends and family for years.
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