You love that crisp, bubbly mouthfeel. But does it actually count as hydration? Yes, absolutely. Sparkling water is mostly water, just with carbon dioxide gas dissolved under pressure.
That’s it. It’s water with personality. Your body doesn’t care if the H₂O arrives still or with a party in the glass.
Scientists agree: sparkling hydrates just as well as still. So stop feeling guilty about your LaCroix addiction.
But Wait—What About Your Teeth?
Here’s where it gets weirdly science-y. Carbon dioxide turns into carbonic acid in water. That sounds scary, but it’s very weak.
Think of it this way: Still water has a pH of 7 (neutral). Sparkling water sits around 4 to 5. That’s about as acidic as black coffee or orange juice—but far less than soda.
One study found that sparkling water erodes teeth 100 times less than sugary soda. So sip away—just don’t swish it for an hour straight.
Fun fact: Your own saliva neutralizes that mild acid in seconds. Your teeth are tougher than you think.
