Some erect it as a slimming ally, citing supporting scientific work. But when we look closely at this research, the conclusions is much less convincing.
It sits on the restaurant tables, accompanies our lunches and is readily invited on the terrace as soon as the sun points its nose. In recent years, a flattering reputation has preceded it: it has been attributed slimming virtues. It would make you feel satisfied faster, calm the cravings and even give a little boost to our metabolism. An ideal trio of promises for anyone watching his figure. However, reality is much less sparkling: this drink would have no significant effect on weight loss.
The myth was widespread from a scientific hypothesis: this drink would help red blood cells to absorb more sugar, forcing the body to burn some additional calories. The problem ? This theory does not come from a study conducted on people drinking said drink, but from observations made in the early 2000s on hemodialysis patients. In this very specific medical framework, the effect was already minimal, equivalent to around 36 calories burned for four hours of dialysis, less than a half-tranch of sandwich bread. The shortcut was tempting, but above all reinforced a false idea by suggesting that the daily consumption of sparkling water could have a real impact.
Doctor Akira Takahashi, doctor and head of service at the neurosurgical Tesseikai hospital, who recently studied this hypothesis, himself recognizes the fragility of the parallel. “It is important to note that this drink alone is not very likely to contribute significantly to weight loss”, he tempers, recalling that “a balanced diet and regular physical activity remain essential”. Besides, science is far from unanimous. If some studies evoke a slightly increased feeling of satiety after drinking it, others are much more disturbing. On the contrary, they observe an increase in Ghrelin, “hunger hormone”, which would therefore push to eat more. Essays conducted on rats and on a small group of men even suggest a weight gain. What to cool the hopes of those who saw in the sparkling water a natural appetite suppressant.
In conclusion, despite its growing popularity and the hope it arouses, the bubble bottle does not hold its slimming promises. The data is clear: neither miracle appetizer, nor efficient calorie burner, nor a real metabolism booster, sparkling water has no demonstrated effect on the scale.
