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by thesz 1619 days ago
Artificial sweeteners also prompt insulin rise and promote insulin resistance: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7014832/

So, yes, if it is not water, with or without CO2, it should be ingested with caution.

2 comments

That study was in patients that were already type-2 diabetic. Here's one that compares stevia, aspartame, and sucrose by satiety and (what I assume is) measures of glucose and insulin in blood: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2900484/

Only immediately obvious caveat is that the sample size may be a bit small:

> 19 healthy lean (BMI = 20.0 – 24.9) and 12 obese (BMI = 30.0 – 39.9) individuals 18 to 50 years old

Sparkling water is also a concern for dental health. Carbonation becomes carbonic acid.
I have a sodastream and use it daily, and I've read articles going both ways on this. It seems that carbonated pure water is not nearly as bad as soda for teeth, but that perhaps it's not that great (especially for kids). Have you seen definitive guidance on this? Does carbonating less make a difference? Using a straw? I've heard that drinking plain water after is a good idea, but don't know if that's grounded in science.
A quick google shows that plain carbonated water has a pH of 4, which is right around where it becomes corrosive to enamel. So, if you just drink a bit of water afterwards, you should be bringing your mouth's pH well above 4. Maybe swish it around as well.