Still Water vs Sparkling Water: What's the Difference?

Water comes in many kinds of styles, whether that's flavored water, mineral water, still water, or sparkling water. These kinds of waters provide many different health benefits depending on your personal preference. But what really is the difference between sparkling water vs water? Let's find out!

What's the Difference Between Sparkling Water and Still Water?

The main difference between sparkling water and still water is sparkling water contains dissolved carbon dioxide while still water does not. This carbonation gives sparkling water its signature "fizzy" taste. Still water can also refer to tap water or filtered water depending on the filtration system installed in a home.

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What is Still Water?

Wondering what is still water is completely fair as this term has recently surfaced when being compared to its fizzy counter part sparkling water. Still water, in the simplest terms, refers to water that is free from any added carbonation or effervescence.

Our bodies are primarily composed of water, making it an essential component for sustaining life. Water accounts for about 60% of an adult's body weight and plays a critical role in a myriad of bodily functions.

This is the type of water that typically flows from our household taps and makes up the majority of our daily consumption. Unlike sparkling water, which is infused with carbon dioxide under pressure to create a fizzy sensation, still water maintains a smooth and unaltered texture.

It is the pure, unadulterated form of H2O that is vital for our hydration and supports numerous bodily functions. Comparatively, while sparkling water can provide a flavorful alternative for those who struggle with regular water intake, it's important to note that both still and sparkling water contribute to our hydration needs.

Related Read: 10 Ways to Make Water More Flavorful

Benefits of Sparkling Water and Still Water

At the end of the day, water is water and is therefore incredibly important to be consumed on a daily basis. While both sparkling and still waters can offer great benefits individually, it's important to note that depending on your lifestyle, one may serve as a better option than the other.

For example, if someone has digestive or acid reflux problems then sparkling water would be an ideal choice since the carbonation helps calm down any stomach issues. On the other hand, if someone is looking to get a quick hydration boost then still water would be the better option. Ultimately, no matter which type of water you choose to drink, they both offer great health benefits and so it's up to personal preference in order to decide what works best for you.

Now, let's break down the benefits of sparkling water and still water individually:

Benefits of Still Water

1. Still water positively impacts health

It should come as no surprise to hear that water has incredible health benefits. Our bodies are primarily made up of water alone! In fact, according to the USGS, men are made up of about 60% of water, and women are made up of 55% of water.

These statistics alone are enough to confidently say it is important for our overall health to be consuming enough daily water. For men, it's recommended by Mayo Clinic to consume 3.7L a day, and for women, 2.7L a day. They also provided a few more benefits to consuming water:

• Keeps your body at a normal temperature
• Lubricates and cushions your joints
• Protects your spinal cord and other sensitive tissues
• Gets rid of toxic wastes through urination, perspiration, and bowel movements

2. Still water provides hydration

Still water is a great way to ensure our bodies remain hydrated. One of the main reasons our bodies need hydration is because it helps our cells absorb nutrients from the food we eat. If your body is not properly hydrated, it won't be able to take full advantage of the nutrients in the food you consume. 

Is water the only way our bodies can be hydrated? No. There are lots of fruits and vegetables that carry 100% weight in water, such as watermelon and spinach. Water is also found in most beverages like juices, coffee, and even energy drinks.

Although, it's not recommended to rely solely on sugary beverages for daily water intake as experts believe too much sugar can actually lead to dehydration. It's believed that extra sugary drinks can speed up the cell's transfer of water to urination leaving the body without a chance to properly absorb the needed nutrients.

If you're looking for an alternative to sugary sodas, try adding some light flavors to your still water. Some great pairings are lime juice, lemon juice, or even low-calorie stevia!

3. Still water is accessible

The reason many people resort to still water for their health and hydration needs is mainly due to its accessibility. The majority, if not all, of homes, have access to tap water. It's not always recommended to consume unfiltered tap water though as it can contain microorganisms, chemicals, and disinfection byproducts. Consuming any of these can lead to serious illnesses or even death. This of course depends primarily on where your home is located. 

To avoid these risks, a lot of people invest in a filtration process to ensure they are consuming safe and healthy water daily. This can look like a refrigerator with filtered water, a filtration system installed on the home's main water line, or even a simple Brita can do the trick! 

Benefits of Sparkling Water

1. Sparkling water contains potential health benefits

There have been many debates on the health benefits of sparkling water. Thankfully, this myth has been debunked by many experts that have confirmed that if the bubbly beverage is at its core just carbonated water, there are absolutely no negative health effects. Sparkling water is a great alternative to still water if you are looking for a little extra fizz! 

Although, if you enjoy consuming bubbly water from big named brands that add in either artificial or natural flavors, you may want to limit your consumption to ensure both your sugar intake and tooth enamel are not compromised.

A good way to avoid this would be to purchase a soda machine where you can carbonate filtered, still water right from your home where you know the exact ingredients you are consuming daily. For fast and reliable CO2 canister refills, join the Soda Sense refill club!

Learn more about the health benefits found in sparkling water!

2. Sparkling water hydrates as well as still water

Due to sparkling water being still water at its core, it should come as no surprise to hear that sparkling water is just as hydrating as regular water. You may actually be more hydrated more often simply because sparkling water can be very enjoyable to consume with its bubbly effervescence. As long as your sparkling water does not contain lots of added sugars, you can rest assured that your body is consuming the hydration it requires.

Related Read: Does Sparkling Water Hydrate You?

3. Sparkling water is also very accessible

The main difference between sparkling and still water not only comes down to its levels of carbonation but also its accessibility. Many grocery stores and pharmacies now carry a variety of sparkling water brands that you can easily purchase. However, regularly purchasing bottled or canned seltzer waters is likely, not sustainable for your wallet. 

Over the past decade, manufacturers have solved this issue with a budget friendly solution: soda machines! Consumers now have access to bubbly water right from their homes through the simple purchase of a soda maker. These machines vary in price, but if you break down the price comparison between regularly purchasing packs of seltzer water vs one soda machine, you could actually save a lot in the long run.

The only maintenance you would need for your machines is refilling the CO2 canisters. This process has been made seamless thanks to the Soda Sense refill club. You can ship and receive CO2 canisters all without leaving your home! Learn more about how you can exchange CO2 canisters more easily today!

Related Read: Why Do People Drink Sparkling Water?

So, Which Should I Choose?

When it comes down to the main difference between sparkling and still water the answer is quite simple: carbonation. However, there are a variety of differences you can find between their health benefits, hydration levels, and overall accessibility. With both having strong pros in each category, the choice is truly yours on whether you enjoy plain water, or the bubbly fizz of sparkling water more!