Sparkling water is a refreshing drink, but can too much be bad for you?
Both flavored and unflavored sparkling water are undoubtedly hydrating and have become a popular alternative to plain water.
Its fizziness also offers a similar texture and mouthfeel to other carbonated drinks like soda.
Since sparkling water contains minerals, should you be concerned about whetherdrinking too much sparkling watercan cause kidney stones?
What Are Kidney Stones?
However, calcium phosphate and uric acid kidney stones can also happen.
Common Causes
Miller says it is important to distinguish between kidney stones' causes and risk factors.
Kidney stones form when the concentration of stone-making minerals and compounds in your urine gets too high.
High urine calcium can also be because of medication conditions, medications and genetics.
In most people, these crystals would merely wash away.
As such, dietary influence is a risk factor rather than a true cause."
So, Can Sparkling Water Cause Kidney Stones?
Sparkling water is a bang out of carbonatedmineral waterthat gives you the fizz.
It contains minerals and trace elements that are naturally occurring, usually from an underground source.
Sparkling water typically has calcium and magnesium.
According to the Food and Drug Administration, mineral water manufacturers shouldnt add additional minerals to this water.
From a nutrition standpoint, Miller and Betz note that sparkling mineral water doesn’t cause kidney stones.
The misconception that sparkling mineral water causes kidney stone formation comes from the fact that it contains minerals.
However, these minerals are naturally occurring and in low doses.
Miller states that small amounts of minerals do not affect stone formation.
Betz agrees that sparkling water doesnt damage your health as long as its unsweetened.
How to Prevent Kidney Stones
Most kidney stones cannot be dissolved.
Once they have formed, they must be passed or removed medically.
So, preventing kidney stones from forming in the first place is key.
As counterintuitive as this seems, calcium from dietary sources doesn’t cause calcium stone formation.
Betz agrees and recommends eating at least three servings of calcium-rich foods with meals every day.
Somecalcium-rich foodsinclude broccoli and calcium-fortified cereals.
The Bottom Line
Regularly drinking sparkling mineral water doesn’t cause kidney stone formation.
Plus, it can help you stay hydrated.
These naturally occurring minerals in sparkling water come in small amounts.
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