Is drinking sparkling water any less beneficial to one's health than drinking still water, known for being the best thing for health?

BRY2K

Though some believe carbonation can help alleviate upset stomach and constipation, carbonated water isn’t necessarily any better or worse for you, nutritionally, than still water. It depends on the waters in question. “The perfect water would be rich in magnesium and calcium and low in sodium chloride,” says Roberta Anding, director of sports nutrition at the Texas Medical Center, and a dietitian for the Houston Texans football team. According to a study in the American Journal of Medicine, that means more than 48 milligrams of magnesium and 85 milligrams of calcium per liter, and fewer than 195 milligrams of sodium per liter. Just because water has bubbles, either because they’ve been forced in by the manufacturer or because they occurred naturally from a spring, doesn’t mean it also contains more or less of certain minerals than still water. Many believe carbonated water contains higher sodium levels than still. This isn’t true. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn’t. Oftentimes, you can find out how much sodium your carbonated water has by reading the label. The FDA doesn’t require manufacturers to list levels, but many do. (If your fizzy water came from Europe, it definitely will, as required by EU law.) If the water you’re drinking contains a lot of sodium, it can contribute to high blood pressure. " (And so the debate continues!) http://www.chow.com/stories/10611 May 12 08, 2:36 PM

Baloo55th

If the question means that drinking still water is the best thing for health, and this is based on the 'eight glasses per day' idea, I'm afraid this is an urban legend. There was a report on the amount of water necessary for normal body function (I think it was to do with occupied territories or something like that) that referred to a quantity of water - and finished by saying 'most of this will be contained in food'. These words have always been omitted by people quoting the quantity (which translates into eight glasses or thereabouts - how big is a glass anyway?). A kidney specialist writing in New Scientist stated that the body requires a quantity of water to function, but doesn't care where it comes from - tap water, distilled water, best bitter or tea. The water is extracted from the contents of the stomach, whatever it went in as. Most people get enough water in their food and normal drinking. Extra fluid intake is advised when dehydration is likely - marathon runners and long distance drivers being cases in point. The majority of the population (not counting desert dwellers, etc) do not get dehydrated despite the claims of quacks who tout water as a cure-all. For more, see http://www.snopes.com/medical/myths/8glasses.asp and may I ask anyone who is following the eight glasses routine, or who is considering it, to read this page. The trouble is that people will believe cropped reports in garbled versions, the aunt of the husband of the girl at number 14, and quacks before the people who really know.... May 12 08, 5:19 PM