Is San Pellegrino Sparkling Water Bad For You?
Also Known As: S.Pellegrino sparkling water
Short answer
San Pellegrino is much safer than soda. It’s slightly acidic because of the carbonic acid that it contains, although it’s not much worse for your mouth than a glass of orange juice.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
San Pellegrino is carbonated water. The main concern with carbonated water is that it does damage to your teeth by changing the pH of your mouth. The idea is that the bubbles in a carbonated drink carry with them something called carbonic acid; you drink San Pellegrino, thinking that it's a healthy alternative to soda, and the carbonic acid does a number on your teeth.
A group of scientists publishing in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation took a close look at that claim. They found that the carbonic acid did have an effect compared to non-carbonated water. That effect, however, was relatively tiny: a soda like Coca-Cola can break down a tooth 100 times faster than a San Pellegrino. San Pellegrino is less acidic than Perrier, which is in turn less acidic than flavored soda water.
That's important because many people turn to San Pellegrino and similar sparkling waters as a healthy alternative to drinking soda. Soda may be as bad for us as cigarettes; it's loaded with artificial flavoring and coloring agents and is rich in high fructose corn syrup. Most sodas will rot your teeth, increase your bad cholesterol, and put you at risk of diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. San Pellegrino does none of those things. If you're choosing it as an alternative to soda, it's a no-brainer.
You can control for the acidity of San Pellegrino by brushing and flossing your teeth on a regular basis and restricting foods in your diet that do damage to your teeth. Talk to your dentist about what you should be doing to keep your teeth healthy.
At one point, it was feared that carbonated drinks were linked to osteoporosis. That claim has been debunked - there's no scientific evidence to support a link between the two.
Possible long-term side effects
Benefits
- much better alternative to soda
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less acidic than comparable brands
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improves indigestion
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hydrating
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