Any type of man-made water that is artificially carbonated is known as Seltzer water. This water is usually sold as a mixer or a beverage. Seltzer water is quite similar to mineral water provided by nature, the only difference being that it is artificially carbonated without addition of any minerals.
This type of water is very popular worldwide as a drink or beverage and is often drunk as an alternative to sugary juices and other carbonated drinks. Seltzer water also has a medicinal use to relieve stomach upset. It is also used for other things like removing stains.
What Is Seltzer Water?
Carbon dioxide gas is added to regular water to form Seltzer water without addition of any minerals. Seltzer water is available as either “plain” or “flavored” varieties. The flavored variety contains natural extracts that do not contain any carbohydrates or calories. Seltzer water is also known by the name sparkling water.
1. How is it made?
Seltzer water contains only two ingredients, water and carbon dioxide gas. Hence, the science to make Seltzer water is very simple. The water is filled in a bottle or final packaging and then the carbon dioxide gas is added into it using a pressurized hose, after which the bottle is sealed immediately. There are beverage factories where commercial Seltzer water is manufactured. However, it can also be prepared at home by the use of countertop gas pumps and pressure systems.
2. Popularity
When the seal of a Seltzer water bottle is broken, the carbon dioxide gas is released making the characteristic fizzing sound. Seltzer water is quite popular as it is interesting to drink instead of plain water without the addition of any calories. People drink seltzer water on its own; however, some drink it by adding lime or lemon. Seltzer water is an excellent alternative to other sugary carbonated beverages that provide empty calories.
Many types of flavored Seltzer waters are also manufactured these days, which contain natural extracts and have no calories.
3. Difference with club soda and tonic water
Seltzer water can easily be confused with tonic water and club soda, two products that are related to it. The difference between club soda and Seltzer water is that the later do not have additional minerals to it; however, club soda often contains added minerals and salts to increase its flavor.
Tonic water has added quinine and sugar, though it is bubbly like Seltzer water. Quinine is added to boost the flavor of water and also to relieve symptoms of malaria-it was done in the 1800s for the British soldiers who were stationed in India. Due to the sugar content, tonic water is a high calorie beverage.
Uses of Seltzer Water
1. As a mixture
Seltzer water is most frequently used in cocktails as a mixer. It is also used to add fizziness or bubbles to fruit juices.
2. In soda fountains and bars
Seltzer water is used in the soda fountains and bars of most restaurants. This is then added to sweet drink syrups to create fresh sodas on-demand.
3. Stain removal
Seltzer water often found its use as a home remedy, especially as a stain removal agent, that is used to remove stains from the clothes as it tends to speed up the stain removing process.
4. Medical remedy
Seltzer water is also used by natural healthcare practitioners to relieve symptoms of acidity and digestive upset.
Seltzer Water Health
Whichever carbonated water you choose one fact remains that they are flavorful and refreshing. However, it is a popular belief that carbonated waters are unhealthy. Unfortunately, internet does not provide any clear information whether carbonated waters are healthy or not. Let us try to clear the misconceptions surrounding Seltzer water health.
1. Benefits
- Do not hurt your teeth. One of the misconceptions about carbonated waters is that they destroy enamel of teeth. This is not true and studies have shown that drinking carbonated water do not hurt your teeth. In fact both regular and diet sodas have citric acid present in them, which can erode dental enamel.
- Benefit your digestion. As already stated, carbonated water is good for digestion and is often used to relieve symptoms of digestive upset.
- Lower risk of heart disease. According to a study conducted on postmenopausal women, it was found that females in the study, who drank carbonated water for two months, had decreased levels of LDL or bad cholesterol and increased levels of HDL or good cholesterol. It was suggested that absorption and excretion of cholesterol was affected by the alkaline pH of carbonated water.
2. Precautions
Carbonated waters do not lead to kidney stone formation; neither do they remove bone calcium. However, some individuals should still drink carbonated water in limited quantities. Individuals suffering from Irritable bowel syndrome and acid reflux should limit their intake of Seltzer water as it may aggravate their condition.