What is the health difference between drinking carbonated and non-carbonated 
water?  I am not concerned with tap water vs. mineral water.  I want to 
understand the health effects of carbonation.

Hi Sheryl!

Carbonation has both benefits and risk to human health. 

Carbonation is known to kill bacteria that may cause infection. 
You may choose carbonated water if you are traveling in a foreign 
country to prevent a negative reaction to the country’s bacteria. 

USA Weekend Magazine (September 2-4, 1994)  
http://www.usaweekend.com/food/carper_archive/940904eat_smart.html


In an article in 
“Mindconnection’s Information Connection:  How to Have Healthy Skin”
http://www.mindconnection.com/library/health/skinhealth.htm,
we learn that carbonation can break down calcium in the human body, 
which can be a risk to weak tooth structure and in severe cases lead 
to osteoporosis. 

In her article “Natural Remedies for Heartburn”, Alli Parker explains 
other risks involving carbonation including esophagus irritation leading 
to bloating or indigestion.

“Life’s Essentials” by Alli Parker
http://www3.lifeserv.com/essentials/wellness/article.asp?ArticleID=2433

Carbonation also increases the absorption of alcohol in the bloodstream, 
according to the article Basic Alcohol Information
http://healthed.msu.edu/snc/basic.htm

I hope this helps!
Additional Websites that may interest you: 



Smile: Protect Your Mouth 
Rosemary Elliott- Snow, RDH
http://www.cancersupportivecare.com/dental.html


Search Terms Used: 
+Carbonation Health Benefits OR Risk
+ Carbonation AND tooth decay
+ Carbonation AND indigestion

Regards,
The Google Answers Team
www.google.com

---

Clarification of Answer by penguin-ga on 18 Apr 2002 14:02 PDT

Sheryl,
I would like to bring your attention to some great reading on non carbonated 
water benefits!

Trainforlife.net is a valuable web resource for the positive health benefits of 
non carbonated water. These include body hydration, energy balance, and 
increased metabolism.
http://www.trainforlife.net/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=12

For more information on the health benefits of non carbonated water, see the 
City of Iowa City website at
http://www.icgov.org/waterhealth.htm


On the contrary, if you are interested the association between tooth decay and 
carbonated beverages, please see
“Smile: Protect Your Mouth” by Rosemary Elliott- Snow, RDH. Cancer Supportive 
Care.com
http://www.cancersupportivecare.com/dental.html

I hope this clarifies my answer for you!
~ penguin

Carbon dioxide is continually being generated in your body & lost
through the lungs. So I don't expect adding some via soda water will
have much effect. You will burp most of the gas anyway. Of course,
cola drinks and similar are a whole other kettle of fish. As they said
at Woodstock, "The brown acid is bad!"

A mixed drink containing carbonated beverage is absorbed more quickly
into the body than is a straight shot of a distilled spirit (vodka,
gin, rum, whiskey, etc.) See "Fun Facts about Alcohol:Health & Safety"
at http://www2.potsdam.edu/alcohol-info/FunFacts/HealthAndSafety.html