Will Carbonated Water Aid Weight Loss?

In the next few Memos, we’re going to talk about several studies out of the mainstream. Today we’re starting with adding carbonation to water.

If you walk the aisles of a grocery store, you can’t help but see 100 feet of shelves full of water—not just the regular purified or distilled, but flavored with every fruit and herb imaginable with a net of no added calories. I admit that I have my favorite: Liquid Death Severed Lime.

Earlier this year, a research group published a paper that asked the question, “Can carbonated water support weight loss?” They compared the rate of glucose metabolism in the red blood cells of people who drank carbonated water with data from those who undergo dialysis. While the process is complicated, the carbonated water increased the bicarbonate levels of the blood making it more alkaline. That stimulated the rate of glycolysis in the cells, and theoretically, increasing metabolism.

Would drinking carbonated water all day have an impact on body weight long term? The researchers made it clear that nothing replaces a healthy diet and increasing exercise, because the number of calories used in the process is low. However, drinking water before a meal may help you eat less, and making it carbonated water may also help. Unless you have an issue with carbonated water, maybe it will give you a slight edge in your efforts.

What are you prepared to do today?

        Dr. Chet

Reference: BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health 2025;:e0011082.