Carbonated Water May Not Always Be Healthy Alternative

Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter

MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Carbonated water is now a one and a half billion dollar business according to the latest industry research.

It is a popular option for many consumers looking for a healthier option than soda and other sugary beverages.

But is all that carbonated water good for you?

Sales of carbonated water in the U.S. have doubled over the past five years.

"The taste is a little bit different, a little bit sparkly I guess," Derek Thomas said.

"I have a family of diabetics who still drink them because I can't convince them that they should just drink water," Terry Cogan said.

But not all fizzy water is the same. Despina Hyde is a registered dietician. She says it's important to read the labels.

"The best bet is to choose something without any sweeteners at all," she said.

Hyde says sweeteners are often found in tonic and flavored sparkling waters. Some have added sugar and even the ones with artificial sweeteners can lead to cavities and weight gain.

"While they still don't have calories or sugar, they may not have a neutral effect, so they may be affecting our taste buds, our satiety or hunger later in the day," Hyde said.

Then there are drinks like seltzer and club soda, which are essentially bubbly water.

Hyde says carbonated waters do pose a slight risk to people with irritable bowel syndrome because they can cause bloating and club soda contains sodium. But overall, Hyde says both are healthier choices than sugary sodas.

"We're drinking too many calories and so finding these alternatives is great," Hyde said.

For the healthiest alternative, Hyde says infuse regular water with your favorite fruit.

Some people also think carbonated water prevents the body from absorbing calcium which increases the risk of osteoporosis, but experts say there is no evidence that carbonated water affects bone density.