The results of a new study investigating the effect on the human body.
A glass of water before a meal is a popular strategy for reducing food intake. But according to a new study, having that glass of sparkling water can make weight loss a little easier.
Carbonation can slightly stimulate metabolism and satiety, researchers have found. However, researchers emphasize that this alone is not enough to achieve your goal.
In addition, the long-term effects of drinking large amounts of carbonated water are unknown, they add.
Their findings Published in the medical journal BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health. As they write, sparkling water has long been considered a potential weight-loss aid because it speeds up digestion and lowers blood glucose (sugar) levels. However, it is not entirely clear how it causes these effects.
To find out, they compared the effect of sparkling water with dialysis. When the kidneys are unable to perform these functions, they filter the blood to remove waste metabolic products and excess fluids from the body.
This process basically alkalizes the blood, which produces carbon dioxide.
Findings
Similarly, carbon dioxide is absorbed by the stomach wall and quickly converted to bicarbonate in red blood cells (they are blood cells).
This accelerates the absorption and utilization of sugar and causes its level to decrease in the blood. Therefore, it can indirectly help with weight loss by stimulating sugar regulation.
However, these effects are not large. Therefore, only carbonated water is not enough to lose weight. said the leading researcher Dr. Akira Takahashi From the Hemodialysis Center of Tesseikai Neurosurgery Hospital in Japan.
“Given the minimal reduction in glucose (sugar), the effect of sparkling water is not a stand-alone solution for weight loss,” he said. And he added that a well-planned diet and systematic exercise (such as walking) are always required.
However, carbonation can burden the digestive system, especially in people with previous gastrointestinal problems, experts emphasize. Therefore, further research is required before any recommendations can be made to the public.
“Any potential benefits of bottled water must be carefully weighed against the potential risks, as it may contain added sugar, sodium or other additives,” he said. Dr. Sumantra Ray, Professor of Global Nutrition at the University of Ulster, Northern Ireland.