About
What it is and where it shows up.
Carbonated water is potable water into which carbon dioxide gas has been dissolved under pressure, producing effervescence. It is widely used as a beverage base, mixer, and standalone drink, and is the primary ingredient in most carbonated soft drinks.
Safety summary
The regulatory and scientific consensus.
Carbonated water is broadly safe for the general adult population with no established ADI restriction; it is not classified by IARC and carries no major regulatory concern across any jurisdiction. Its mild carbonic acid (pH ~4.2–5.9) may pose a low risk of dental enamel erosion with excessive or prolonged contact with teeth. Some uncertainty exists regarding its effects on blood pressure in hypertensive individuals, as current literature has not reached a definitive consensus.
Regulatory landscape
What food-safety regulators have decided.
| Jurisdiction | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India) | Approved | Carbonated water is standardized under sub-regulation 2.10 of FSS (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulations 2011. Carbonated water (plain soda — potable water impregnated with CO2 under pressure) packed in returnable glass bottles is subject to specific labelling exemptions under FSSAI Packaging and Labelling Regulations 2011. Carbonated and non-carbonated water-based flavoured drinks are separately licensed under FCS 14.1.4.1 & 14.1.4.2.source |
| FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States) | Approved | Carbonated water is explicitly listed among low-risk food types in FDA's FSMA Qualitative Risk Assessment framework (21 CFR Part 165). Artificially carbonated waters must disclose the addition of carbonation on labeling per FDA model regulation.source |
Who should approach with care
Whose guidance would steer them away.
Hypertension — A systematic review (PMID:39078573) found uncertainty about whether carbonated water consumption raises blood pressure in hypertensive patients, noting that the nervous system response during ingestion may transiently increase blood pressure.
Ibs — The CO2 in carbonated water can increase gastric distension and bloating, potentially aggravating symptoms in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome.
Ibd — Carbonation-induced gut distension may worsen abdominal discomfort and gas in individuals with inflammatory bowel disease during flare-ups.
Infants — Carbonated water is not appropriate for infants as it may cause gastric distension, discomfort, and displaces nutritionally necessary milk or formula intake.
Other — Plain carbonated water has a pH range of approximately 4.2–5.9, below the critical enamel demineralization threshold of pH 5.5, meaning frequent and prolonged oral exposure may contribute to dental enamel erosion, per PMC5702778.
Research citations
The sources behind this verdict.
- 1PubMed. Systematic Review of the Effects of Sparkling Water Consumption on Blood Pressure. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2FDA. FDA Regulates the Safety of Bottled Water Beverages Including Flavored Water and Nutrient-Added Water Beverages. fda.gov
- 3PubMed. Effect of carbonated water manufactured by a soda carbonator on etched or sealed enamel. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4FDA. Carbonated Soft Drinks: What You Should Know, 2022. fda.gov
- 5FSSAI. Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011 — Compendium, 2022. fssai.gov.in
- 6PubMed. The effects of carbonated water upon gastric and cardiac activities and fullness in healthy young women, 2013.
Independently researched7 citations