Fizzy drinks, what's the issue?

[Macrodatarefiner]

Genuine question, I get coke might be something people would rather their kids didn't drink a lot of. But plain sparkling water? Why do so many people disapprove or forbid their kids from going near them.

Sorry but that’s complete and utter nonsense. I’ve just been diagnosed with osteoporosis and l was given information about the relationship between fizzy drinks and calcium deficiency and advised what to avoid. The body doesn’t ’neutralise’ the carbonation using base minerals or anything else because it doesn’t need to. It’s malabsorption of calcium itself that causes deficiency and
fizzy plain water doesn’t affect it at all - it’s not good for the enamel on your teeth but you can solve this by using straws.

The only fizzy drinks which can cause calcium deficiency are dark coloured cola drinks like Coke, Pepsi, Dr Pepper etc. And it doesn’t matter whether they're diet or not because it’s not the artificial sweeteners, or the carbonation for that matter, which does the damage. It’s the phosphoric acid they contain. It can interfere with calcium absorption and lead to loss of bone density and osteoporosis. Lots of information about it on various NHS websites and newly diagnosed osteoporosis patients are given appropriate information, including the fact that lots of bottled waters - still or sparkling - are good for you because they contain added magnesium and calcium.

I have to disagree, it is not tasteless, I can’t stand water, I can taste the minerals in it!

I love that a MN ad for ‘best sodastreams and fizzy drink makers’ came up in this thread 😂

Just hope one doesn’t come up for the culprit of calcium deficiency - the dreaded cola syrup !!

But that’s like saying your grandma smoked all her life snd lived to 100. There is always someone who is more resistant to things because of their genetic makeup - it’s not evidence of something bring harmless.

Having sparkling water occasionally is fine but DC should still drink plain water too.

The government seems to think that tap water has a taste.

https://dwi.gov.uk/consumers/learn-more-about-your-water/taste-and-odour-in-drinking-water/

https://dwi.gov.uk/consumers/learn-more-about-your-water/chlorine/

When you live in a hard water area and go somewhere that has soft water (or vice versa), it's very easy to notice the difference even without looking inside the kettle.

If there wasn't any difference in the mineral composition and taste of water from different sources, there wouldn't be a market for bottled water brands or a history of spas like Bath.

Same. Or it tastes of bleach like mine now, or like when I lived in some places it was so hard it actually looked like you’d dropped one of those effervescent tablets in it. Just the sight of it put me off.

Teeth ans sweetners

Isn't it the stuff in fozzy drink that rots teeth?

DH cannot tolerate caffeine,he's been drinking Dec caf coke sugar free for years..gets a lot of migraines. Found out recently one of the artifacts sweeteners, cause migraine,if you're susceptible. He's now on squash. Thankfully I dislike fizzy drinks, because I have a hiatus hernia,get bad acid reflux and can't drink them.. I've never liked coke or pepsi,to me it takes of chemicals..my late parents spoiled me, because they made our lemonade and ginger Beer.

I’m not saying fizzy drinks are good for you but some dentists are OTT. My previous dentist told me I should never drink anything other than still water, as even peppermint tea would rot my teeth…

There’s no reason for children to drink fizzy stuff. Today is sparkling water, tomorrow is Fanta etc. for me, it’s a slippery slope.
im against fizzy drinks as they are way too acidic and over time affect gut health, and over time the esophagus and stomach (obviously depending on frequency etc).

I’ve never quite understood this either! I do drink loads of water, but I also have a Diet Coke every day and I’ve got perfect teeth, never even had a filling and I’m mid-30s! DH hates fizzy juice and has had loads of dental issues! Obviously drinking solely fizzy stuff can’t be good for you but I don’t believe a can of juice is wrecking your teeth, anymore than one packet of crisps is making you fat. It’s all part of an overall picture of your health and lifestyle IMO.

Today is sparkling water, tomorrow is Fanta etc. for me, it’s a slippery slope.
All the way to HEROIN!

The fizz is apparently not good for your teeth.

But my main gripe, which may be completely illogical, is that sparkling water seems so unnecessary and First World and extravagant, when it doesn’t taste of anything and plain tap water is free, unlike in many parts of the world where clean water is unavailable. (I feel the same about plain bottled water, unless I’m out of the house and haven’t got my own water bottle with me.)

Is sparkling wine bad for your teeth too? ☹️

Oh it can taste of all sorts. Some towns the water tastes horrid. I'm lucky our tap water is quite nice, but they don't half dose it with chlorine sometimes. As a result I rarely drink tap water.

From the NHS website:

While plain sparkling water is generally considered not significantly harmful to your teeth, the carbonation can slightly erode enamel, especially if consumed in excess or if flavoured with added acids like citrus, so it's best to drink it in moderation and choose unflavoured varieties.

Sparkling water is horrible. It tastes bitter to me.

I like the very occasional coke, ideally the Fever Tree one as it’s less sweet, but otherwise it’s tap water and smallish amounts of booze depending on stress levels.

Right?!

If you must drink it, use a straw, but it should be seen as an “occasional treat” drink, not a replacement for water

If my life ever gets so grim that I consider sparkling water to be an occasional treat, then I sincerely hope my DH will take me out the back and put me out of my misery.

I have drunk Pepsi max for decades. It’s the only thing I drink other than hot chocolate. Happily my bones are strong and my teeth excellent. Still not great but have thus far avoided heroin.

Diet Coke is one of the culprits for calcium deficiency. Over time it can block absorption of calcium because of the phosphoric acid it contains. It can lead to problems with bone density, including osteoporosis. Was one of the things l was warned against when l was diagnosed with it recently. All colas contain phosphoric acid and all can cause calcium deficiency.

How old are you ? All colas contain phosphoric acid which can block calcium absorption over time and ultimately cause osteoporosis. A dexa scan is the only reliable way to assess bone strength.