Now, here’s where things get tricky. Not all seltzers are created equal. Some brands—looking at you, generic store-brand club soda—add sodium and potassium salts to mimic minerality. A can of plain club soda can have up to 75 milligrams of sodium, which is tiny compared to a bag of chips, but it adds up if you chug six cans.
Seltzer Water vs Sparkling Water: What's the Difference? – Soda Sense
Le Croix? LaCroix? Same deal—those flavors are “natural” (read: ghost oils that taste vaguely like a memory of a mango). Sodium levels are usually zero, so you’re safe. Just avoid the “tonic water” section unless you want a sugar spike that would make a hummingbird dizzy.
The Bubbly Bloating Blues
Let’s address the elephant in the room—or rather, the bloat in your belly. Drinking carbonation can cause gas, which is your body’s way of saying, “Hey, I’m not mad, just disappointed.” If you chug a liter of seltzer before a Zoom meeting, you will look like a beached whale in a turtleneck.
But here’s the good news: that bloat is temporary. Your body absorbs the CO₂ or burps it out, and you’re back to your usual silhouette within an hour. For most people, the hydration benefits far outweigh a little puffy gut—unless you’re a competitive speed-eater, in which case, you have bigger problems.
Seltzer Water Unhealthy