Setlzer Water and Nutrient Absorption
A carbonated mineral water rich in sodium bicarbonate and sodium chloride has been found to increase cholesterol absorption (31), likely due to its ability to raise the pH in the small intestine to facilitate chylomicron metabolism. Furthermore, consumption of this carbonated water increases fecal bile acid excretion as it accelerates transformation from cholesterol into bile acids thus decreasing gallbladder volume and gall bladder volume. Despite containing more sodium than its control counterpart (32), consumption doesn’t increase blood pressure – possibly because bicarbonate ions reduce negative effects that sodium may have on lipid metabolism in general.
Consume seltzer water in moderation, watching how it affects your digestive health and speaking to a dietician or health care practitioner about how best to combine still and sparkling waters into your diet.