What is Hydration?
Hydration is simply the fluid balance in your body. You hydrate by absorbing water. As water is vital for various bodily functions, hydration is important for health.
Discover all the reasons why hydration is important.
The amount of water you need each day will differ from person to person. The amount can be affected by weight, gender, activity level, the climate you live in and more. You also gain water from the food you eat, which can then affect how much you need to drink. As a rule of thumb, the NHS Eat Well Guide recommends you drink 6 to 8 glasses a day, which works out as between 1.5 – 2.5 litres a day.
What's the difference between Sparkling and Still Water?
The biggest difference between still water and sparkling water is the fizz in sparkling. Sparkling water has carbon dioxide added to produce this fizz, whereas still water doesn't have any gas added and so is flat.
When carbon dioxide is dissolved in water, it not only adds fizz but also causes the pH of the water to drop, making the water slightly acidic. Some people find the fizz and slight acidity more appealing than still water.
You can also add squash or fruit juices to carbonated water, to give additional flavour. This can make a healthy substitute if you usually drink soft drinks.
Is Sparkling Water as Hydrating as Still Water?
Many people worry that the bubbles in sparkling water reduce the ability of sparkling water to hydrate you. However, this is not the case at all! In fact, sparkling water is just as hydrating as still water.
One study looked at the hydrating effects of 13 types of beverages and established the beverage hydration index (BHI) of each drink. This is done by evaluating the amount of urine produced when drinking any drink when compared to drinking still water. This study concluded that sparkling water is just as hydrating as still water.
However, it is thought that it may take longer to absorb sparkling water than still water. But as long as you are drinking enough water (whether still, sparkling or a mixture) this will not affect your hydration.
Should You Drink Sparkling Water to Hydrate?
There are a number of benefits to drinking sparkling water, not just the fact that it's as hydrating as still water. So, if you enjoy sparkling water over still water, you should definitely drink it!
If you find it hard to drink still water and usually go for soft drinks to hydrate, sparkling water is a healthy alternative. Soft drinks tend to be full of sugar and additives, whereas sparkling water is simply water and carbon dioxide. If it is also a flavour you carve, and not just the fizz, you can add some squash to sparkling water to make it more interesting too.
If you want sparkling water without having to buy bottles, take a look at our sparkling water taps, which offer instant sparkling water for your home or office.
