Plain seltzer water (sodium free). Good or bad?

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Concerned111
Concerned111 Member Posts: 4
edited August 2015 in Bone Health and Bone Loss

I've read many conflicting reports regarding the carbonation effect on bones and bone density. I am addicted to unflavored-solium free Seltzer Water. Don't like plain water. Any thoughts? Opinions, etc.? Thank you.

Comments

  • peggy_j
    peggy_j Member Posts: 1,700
    edited June 2014

    Can you post a link? I've read that soda pop, like cola drinks, can be bad for your bones, but I thought it was due to the caffeine and phosphorus not the carbonation.

    ETA: here's some info.

    http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/nutrition...

    http://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/features/soda-os...

    Since there's so much info--and misinformation--on the internet, I once asked a doctor which were the reliable websites. He recommended WebMD and the Mayo Clinic websites. 

  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited June 2014

    I sure hope it's not bad. My sodastream is practically attached to my hip. I can't drink anything without carbonation.

  • Concerned111
    Concerned111 Member Posts: 4
    edited June 2014

    Thank you!!! I will read the articles. I have thought about getting a Sodastream.

  • Concerned111
    Concerned111 Member Posts: 4
    edited June 2014

    Peggy, Darn, I can't find the articles. But I did hear on a news program last weekend that a Dr said carbonation zaps the bones. After just doing more research, I am convinced that carbonated water is NOT bad. It's similar to some Drs saying plain Vit D is just as good as VitD3. Ugh!!! So confusing and frustrating.

  • Moonflwr912
    Moonflwr912 Member Posts: 6,856
    edited June 2014

    I'd like to know too! My go to drink is setter with a twist. Or LaCroix water. Or even Perrier. As long as it's cold. 

  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited June 2014

    I know!!!!  I'd wilt away without my ice cold bubbles. 

  • NancyHB
    NancyHB Member Posts: 1,512
    edited June 2014

    I have cases if LaCroix on hand at all times and probably drink 3-4 a day, easily.  I'm certain I wouldn't drink nearly as much water without it!  Besides, I use the return deposits to help fund my daughter's wedding next year.  :-)

  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited June 2014

    So, after reading your post, I got a little concerned so I spent the morning googling. It seems THERE ARE several articles out there implying that carbonation is bad. Turns out, 90% of the articles make a point of making it clear that it's not the carbonation, but the phosphorus in certain sodas, just like peggy mentioned above. Besides worrying about my bones, I was just as worried about my teeth (ONJ and all that jazz). Turns out that you guys who buy carbonated water are also getting the added benefit of it actually protecting your enamel because of the trace minerals found in such water as Perrier, LaCroix, etc. one study put teeth in regular water vs. Perrier and the Perrier tooth actually got stronger! Very cool.

    One caveat, studies have shown that people who drink carbonated water a lot have a tendancy to not consume other liquids that help provide us with supplemental vitamins and minerals, such as milk and fruit juice for example. Makes sense to me, I wouldn't drink milk if you paid me.....so as long as we're meeting our vitamin and mineral needs through food, we're good. Cheers! 

    Concerned111, I highly recommend the sodastream. I'm sure we're saving about 60% by using it as opposed to bottled or canned. I do have to say though, we have a reverse osmosis system in our house. When I took it to a friends house to carbonate her regular water, it was really disgusting. Filtered water is a MUST if you're going to use a sodastream.

  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited June 2014

    I forgot to mention, other than a cancer-related rod in my femur, and substantial boney disease, my doctor made the comment that my skeletal system is as strong as Wolverine's. If it weren't for some pesky mets, I'd be a super-hero. Maybe it's the bubbles.Smile

  • kayfh
    kayfh Member Posts: 790
    edited June 2014

    it is the bubbles for sure!  I be came addicted to sparkling water when I was doing chemo in the spring of 2009. It was too much carrying full cases of Perrier (name another brand, I also carried) in to my house, and empty bottles in out in the recycling bin.  I bought a SodaStream.  I love it.  Incidentally I have been NED since I got my SodaStream.  Coincidence?  I think not! 

  • TB90
    TB90 Member Posts: 992
    edited June 2014

    Oh thank goodness!  I am now afraid of red meat, carbs, sugar, wine . . . . and when I saw this I almost cried.  My soda water with a hint of lemon or lime has replaced many glasses of wine.  I drank gallons and gallons while going through rads.  So relieved to hear that it is ok to do so.

    Do any of you prefer glass bottles to plastic or does it matter??  I am now worrying about that.  And I definitely am looking into a soda stream. 

  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited June 2014

    The plastic bottles for the sodastream are very safe.....I made sure. They do recommend you don't use hot water to wash them, though, but that's so you don't weaken them and have it blow up in your face.

    Just had to share a funny story. My son wanted champagne to celebrate when the Habs were on track to win the Stanley Cup. He and his friends bought bottles of Baby Duck, added the bubbly with an old sodastream we had laying around and had a great old time soaking themselves with it.

  • kayfh
    kayfh Member Posts: 790
    edited June 2014

    The bottles are BPA free.  That said, if I ever need to get a new Soda Stream (it is still going strong after almost 5 years) I will definitely get one with glass bottles.  Even if they are just more aesthetically pleasing.  Life is too short for unattractive plastic.

    Funny son .  

  • kayfh
    kayfh Member Posts: 790
    edited June 2014

    leggo.  Were you dx in the spring of 2009?  

  • TB90
    TB90 Member Posts: 992
    edited June 2014

    Thanks.  I am ordering one on-line almost as we speak.  It will more than pay for itself in our house. 

  • Concerned111
    Concerned111 Member Posts: 4
    edited June 2014

    All this good news - I say YAY!  Adding fresh squeezed lemon to the seltzer is very beneficial to our immune systems. Cheers!

  • slv58
    slv58 Member Posts: 1,216
    edited June 2014

    Another thank goodness! I'm another one who is addicted to her soda stream-with a squirt of lemon juice or sometimes a few ounces of 100% fruit juice. Good to know I'm ok drinking 2 litres a day of this, thanks for the research!

  • peggy_j
    peggy_j Member Posts: 1,700
    edited June 2014

    Re: glass v. plastic. If you have the option, I'd say choose glass. There have been some studies that found different nasty stuff coming from some types of bpa-free plastic.  sorry to have to share this:

    http://www.sfgate.com/health/article/BPA-free-plas...

  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited June 2014

    Uh-oh. Might have to upgrade. The glass bottles don't fit the other machines. The Penguin models are really expensive, though.

  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited June 2014

    Thinking about it for a moment, the water is really only in there a short while. OK you think? Could much leach out in like ten seconds?

  • kayfh
    kayfh Member Posts: 790
    edited June 2014

    good question!  Does carbonating the water making leaching of narsty things faster? 

  • Basia
    Basia Member Posts: 790
    edited June 2014

    Please say it isn't so! I need my soda stream! I've given up everything else

  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited June 2014

    Basia, I'm thinking it's all good. But just to be on the safe side, I'm going to continue doing what I do now to lessen the risk of any weird plastic exposure. I keep large pitchers of water in the fridge and fill the sodastream bottles as I use them. Then I pour it into a big glass of ice anyway (can't ever be cold enough for me). That way, the water is really only exposed to the plastic for seconds. For all I know, my glasses were made in China and who knows what's in them.  The kids are too embarrassed to use the sodastream bottles anyway, so they usually end up doing the same with their stainless bottles. I think it's safe as long as we dispose of the bottles on the expiry date.

    Just because I'm curious, did any of you experience that whole boycott thing? I remember hubby coming home from getting a fill and bitching that he had to dodge protesters outside the store. People are nutty.

  • cowgal
    cowgal Member Posts: 833
    edited August 2015

    I have contemplated buying a SodaStream for a long time. I found a good deal on one the other day and couldn't pass it up and got the Source model. Now I am second guessing whether this will be a bigger headache then it is worth and trying to decide if I just need to go and return it. When I went to Walmart to get some extra bottles and stuff for it, I noticed it was on sale like maybe they were trying to close out selling SodaStream stuff or that a completely different system was coming out. I also did not realize that to get a refilled CO2 bottle that I would have to travel quite a distance to be able to exchange my CO2 bottle as I live in a rural area so none of the exchange locations are anywhere close. I just figured that enough of you sound like you have been using these awhile and might have some helpful suggestions. I do love carbonation and thought this would be the best way to get it and be able to make my own drinks without a lot of the stuff that is in regular pop.

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