Health
Weight loss may be helped by drinking this, study suggests
Water is known to be a great resource for good health — but sparkling water could also offer unique benefits.
A new report published in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention and Health suggests that carbonated water may support weight loss by enhancing glucose uptake and metabolism in red blood cells.
The researchers aimed to analyze the physiological effects of carbonated water, as it has been found to induce satiety (feelings of fullness) and gastric motility (movement of food through the body), both of which could reduce hunger.
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In analyzing a study from 2004, the team found that carbonated water may support weight loss by converting to HCO3 – a byproduct of metabolism – in red blood cells and increasing energy production.
But the effect of this is “so small,” the researchers concluded, that it is “difficult to expect weight loss effects solely from the CO2 in carbonated water.”
Carbonated water that is high in sodium has also been shown to lower blood glucose levels, the report noted. (iStock)
So the researchers noted that sparkling water should not be used on its own as a weight-loss solution — and should instead be “integrated into a broader strategy of healthy living.”
‘Extremely challenging’
Study researcher Dr. Akira Takahashi, head of medicine at Tesseikai Neurosurgical Hospital in Osaka, Japan, conducted the original research 20 years ago.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Takahashi said this new report underscores how carbonated water impacts weight loss by promoting the sensation of fullness, which can reduce food intake and lower overall calorie consumption.
Carbonated water burning calories through CO2 absorption is “insufficient to make a significant difference,” the researcher noted.
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“For instance, during hemodialysis, even with a continuous supply of CO₂ for four hours, only about 9.5g of glucose is consumed,” he said.
“It would be extremely challenging to drink carbonated water continuously for that duration.”
(Hemodialysis is a treatment that filters waste and water from the blood for people whose kidneys are not functioning correctly.)
“Further research is necessary to better understand [sparkling water’s] long-term effects and optimize its role in dietary interventions,” the report said. (iStock)
“Therefore, I believe it is unlikely that carbonated water alone could lead to weight loss,” Takahashi said.
Further research is needed to fully understand the effect of carbonation on weight loss due to fullness, according to the researcher.
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“The sensation of fullness when drinking carbonated beverages is thought to result from their physical properties,” he told Fox News Digital.
“Carbon dioxide released from the bubbles fills the stomach, stimulating stretch receptors. These receptors then signal the brain via the vagus nerve, creating a sensation of fullness.”
“Water in general is great for you, but if interested in losing weight, there is more to it.”
Carbonated water should be incorporated into a “broader strategy” of healthy living, according to experts.
“Water in general is great for you, but if interested in losing weight, there is more to it,” Dr. Kathleen Jordan, chief medical officer and weight management specialist for MediHealth in California, told Fox News Digital. (Jordan was not part of the research.)
Dietary choices and activity levels are more likely to be impactful, the expert said, and medications can be “hugely helpful” for those who struggle to manage their weight.
Experts agree that weight loss involves many different factors beyond drinking one type of water. (iStock)
New York-based certified holistic nutritionist Robin DeCicco agreed that more data is needed on what individuals should pair with soda water for weight management.
“As the study points out, there is no one general way to lose weight across the board,” DeCicco, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.
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Weight loss can occur when people engage in increased physical activity, decrease their caloric intake and eat a healthier selection of foods, which includes minimizing ultraprocessed, fried and sugary foods, the nutritionist said.
Carbonated consequences
While bubbles in carbonated water can create a full feeling, there are also consequences of overindulging, according to DeCicco.
“I can see how drinking carbonated water can make people less hungry because the bubbles do create a feeling of more fullness,” she said.
“With that being said, people may skip a snack if they’re drinking seltzer, thus reducing caloric intake for the day.”
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On the other hand, DeCicco cautioned, carbonated beverages can make individuals feel bloated and gassy, and can aggravate reflux issues.
“Therefore, it’s not a suggestion of mine to recommend bubbly drinks for anyone with chronic bloating, acid reflux, hiatal hernia, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth or other stomach sensitivities.”
The researchers emphasized that carbonated water consumption “should be integrated into a broader strategy of healthy living rather than relied upon as a primary weight-loss tool.” (iStock)
DeCicco highlighted that the new study only refers to seltzer water and does not include sweetened beverages such as sodas or artificially flavored seltzers, which may be “linked to diabetes, heart disease, obesity and increased sugar cravings.”
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She added, “People want an easy ‘1-2-3 fix’ for weight loss — and I know it’s not the popular statement to make, but long-term weight loss doesn’t stem from doing one thing (like drinking seltzer).”
“It is individually based, and requires consistency and a change to habits and behaviors for long-term health.”
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Chicago health officials are warning residents to be alert for symptoms of meningococcal disease after several recent infections were reported in adults across the city.
Seven cases of Neisseria meningitidis infections have been identified since mid-January, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health.
Two people have died as a result of the infection, the department said.
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Health officials have traced close contacts for all confirmed cases and provided preventive antibiotics to those who may have been exposed.
Meningococcal disease is caused by Neisseria meningitidis, a type of bacteria that can infect the bloodstream or the lining of the brain and spinal cord, according to Cleveland Clinic.
Chicago health officials are warning residents to watch for symptoms of meningococcal disease after seven infections were reported in the state. (iStock)
Transmission occurs through saliva and mucus during close or prolonged contact, such as sharing drinks, kissing, or being exposed to coughs and sneezes.
While cases remain relatively rare, meningococcal disease continues to pose a serious public health risk nationwide.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 503 confirmed and probable cases in the U.S. in 2024, based on preliminary data.
Infection is passed from person to person through saliva and mucus, usually during prolonged close contact. (iStock)
Symptoms of meningococcal disease can include fever, headache, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, sensitivity to light, a stiff neck, and a skin rash that may appear as dark spots or bruising, per Cleveland Clinic.
Other signs may include confusion, irritability, difficulty walking, joint or muscle pain, and loss of appetite.
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“Chicago sees up to 10 to 15 meningococcal infections each year, typically concentrated around the winter months,” the department noted.
The disease most often affects seniors as well as adolescents and young adults, Chicago health officials said.
Symptoms can range from fever and headache to vomiting, diarrhea, and a rash that appears dark or bruised, Cleveland Clinic noted. (iStock)
To reduce risk, state guidelines recommend getting the meningococcal vaccine beginning at ages 11 or 12, with a booster dose at 16.
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Meningococcal disease is treated with antibiotics, and doctors often begin immediate treatment if the illness is suspected because it can progress rapidly, Cleveland Clinic stated.
Patients with severe cases may also need additional treatments such as IV fluids, oxygen, blood pressure medications, or surgery to treat damaged tissue.
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Anyone who develops symptoms or believes they may have been exposed is urged to seek medical care promptly. Health experts stress that early treatment is critical.
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An extreme, all-or-nothing fitness regimen is going viral again as millions seek rapid weight loss and mental toughness through its relentless daily rules. But as health experts warn the intensity may be unrealistic for many people, lighter versions of the challenge are also picking up steam.
Fueled by social media buzz and dramatic celebrity transformations, the viral 75 Hard challenge, created in 2019 by entrepreneur and podcaster Andy Frisella, requires participants to follow a rigid lifestyle regimen “without compromise.”
The rules include two 45-minute workouts each day — one outdoors — a strict diet with no cheat meals or alcohol, a gallon of water daily, 10 pages of nonfiction reading and a daily progress photo. Miss a single task in the 75 days, and the challenge resets to day one.
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“The mental changes are 100x greater than the physical changes,” Frisella says on the challenge’s website. “This isn’t another temporary Band-Aid program,” he promises.
One of the daily workouts in the 75 Hard challenge must be completed outdoors. (iStock)
Supporters say the program builds discipline and accountability and has given many participants a clean slate at the start of the new year.
Experts, however, warn that extreme doesn’t always mean effective, especially for long-term weight loss and health.
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“Any program that promises weight loss needs to take you into a calorie deficit,” said Dr. Milica McDowell, a Montana-based exercise physiologist and doctor of physical therapy. “If you are burning more calories than you are consuming, yes, you will lose weight.”
Experts say an all-or-nothing structure may not be sustainable for long-term weight loss. (iStock)
But she cautioned that the results often don’t last.
“The challenge with the 75 Hard workout is that when you stop doing it — which would mean burning fewer calories — and you do not change your eating and drinking behaviors, it is likely that whatever weight you lost during the challenge will come right back,” McDowell told Fox News Digital.
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“I do not consider this to be a sustainable way to lose weight,” she said.
The program requires participants to drink a gallon of water each day, a rule some experts say may be excessive for certain people. (iStock)
The Cleveland Clinic also says the program’s rigid, two-a-day structure may do more harm than good for people without a strong fitness base, particularly those with chronic medical conditions. Even drinking a gallon of water a day may be excessive for some people, depending on body size and health needs, it notes.
Medical professionals also urge caution for people with joint or heart problems, no exercise background, a history of eating disorders, or already demanding schedules.
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For those drawn to 75 Hard’s structure, experts suggest modifying the program to suit individual needs.
Variations like “75 Medium” and “75 Soft” have emerged that dial down the intensity with fewer workouts, more relaxed diets and simpler habit targets designed to be more sustainable.
The 75 Hard challenge has gained widespread attention on TikTok and Instagram, where participants document their progress. (iStock)
“A softer start lowers the activation energy for behavior change [and] reduces all‑or‑nothing thinking,” Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity medicine physician scientist at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, told USA Today.
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The approach can reduce the risk of injury, exhaustion and people quitting altogether, Stanford said.
“I think people are realizing it’s OK to be gentle with yourself,” Morgan Manning, a 26-year-old media and marketing professional from New York City, told USA Today.
Softer fitness challenges build in rest days and flexibility to reduce burnout and injury risk. (iStock)
Her TikTok video announcing she was trying the “soft” version received over 60,000 views.
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“These versions feel more human,” said Jesse Ramos Jr., a certified personal trainer and owner of BBT Fitness NYC. “They allow people to build discipline without burning out, getting injured or hating the process,” Ramos told Fox News Digital.
“Fitness shouldn’t feel like punishment,” he added.
Experts say long-term health comes from consistent, sustainable habits — not extreme challenges. (iStock)
Experts agree that consistency matters more than intensity when it comes to long-term weight loss and health.
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Robin DeCicco, a certified holistic nutritionist from New York City, previously told Fox News Digital that she encourages clients to focus on sustainable habits like simply moving more, eating more whole foods and drinking more water than they were before, rather than following rigid rules.
“Healthy habits that change into long-term behaviors are what make people healthier into the future,” DeCicco said.
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