Here’s the rumor that won’t die: carbonated water destroys your enamel. Let’s put that to bed. Still water has a pH of 7 (neutral). Plain sparkling water has a pH of around 4 to 5—still way less acidic than orange juice (pH 3) or soda (pH 2.5). Your saliva actually neutralizes that mild acid within minutes.
The real danger? Flavored sparkling waters with citric acid. That’s the stuff—not the bubbles—that can wear down enamel over time if you sip it all day long. So plain fizzy water? You’re fine. The lemon-lime variety? Maybe don’t use it as your only drink for 12 hours straight. Your teeth will thank you later. And yes, that’s a side eye at myself. I’m guilty.
Difference Between Soda Water And Carbonated Water at Keith Turner blog
But What About Your Bones? (Spoiler: No Drama)
Another old wives’ tale: carbonated water leaches calcium from your bones. That myth comes from colas, which contain phosphoric acid—not carbonic acid. Phosphoric acid is linked to lower bone density, but only when you drink tons of cola. Your seltzer? Bone-safe. Seriously, your skeleton doesn’t care about bubbles.
I remember my grandma warning me that fizzy drinks would make my bones “like chalk.” Love you, Grandma, but you were wrong. So go ahead, crack open that sparkling water without guilt. Your bones are tough enough.
