Drinking sparkling water does not damage tooth enamel or reduce bone strength, according to Sandra Vigelene, a dietitian and global nutrition expert at VIA College, Aarhus University in Denmark, in an interview with Wellness Pulse.

Vigelene explained that during carbonation, weak carbonic acid forms in the water, slightly lowering the pH (acidity) level in the mouth.

“This type of water is indeed slightly more acidic than plain water. However, it alters the pH less effectively than sugary soft drinks,” the dietitian noted.

She added that several studies have already examined how acidic beverages affect tooth enamel.

“A systematic review from the George Emil Palade University in Romania showed that all acidic drinks—from juices and smoothies to vitamin-enriched and carbonated waters—can have an erosive effect on enamel under laboratory conditions,” said Vigelene.

However, the actual impact depends on behavioral factors: how often someone drinks such beverages, whether they use a straw, and how well they maintain oral hygiene.

The expert emphasized that sparkling water contains no sugar, which is the main contributor to enamel erosion.

Some people also believe that carbonated water “leaches” calcium from bones and contributes to osteoporosis. According to Vigelene, this myth originated from an observational study linking high cola consumption to reduced bone mineral density.

She noted that this effect was likely due to phosphoric acid, which is present in cola and may interfere with calcium absorption.

However, many factors influence bone density, and blaming beverages alone is misleading. In fact, current data show that drinking carbonated water—excluding cola—is not associated with an increased risk of fractures.