Carbonated water helps reduce all the symptoms of indigestion

Carbonated water helps reduce the discomforts of indigestion (dyspepsia) and constipation, based on a recent study in the European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (2002; 14: 9919).

Dyspepsia is actually characterized by several symptoms such as pain or perhaps pain within the upper abdomen, early feeling of fullness after eating, bloating, belching, nausea, as well as sometimes vomiting. Approximately 25% of individuals residing in Western communities are afflicted by dyspepsia every year, and the problem is the reason for 2 to 5% of the visits to primary care providers. Insufficient motion in the digestive tract (peristalsis) is believed to be an important reason for dyspepsia. Other gastrointestinal problems, like irritable bowel syndrome and constipation, frequently accompany dyspepsia.

Antacid medicationsover the counter acidity neutralizers, prescription medicines that obstruct stomach acid generation, and medicines which activate peristalsisare primary therapies with regard to dyspepsia. Nevertheless, antacids can easily interfere with the digestive function and absorption of nutrients, as well as there is a possible association between long-term use of the acid-blocking medications and elevated probability of stomach cancer. Other health care services advise dietary modifications, such as eating small frequent meals, decreasing fat consumption, and identifying as well as avoiding distinct aggravating food items. With regard to smokers having dyspepsia, giving up smoking cigarettes is likewise recommended. Constipation is treated with an increase of drinking water as well as fiber consumption. Laxative medications may also be prescribed by a few doctors, while others may analyze for food sensitivities and imbalances within the bacteria of the intestinal tract and deal with these to alleviate constipation.

In this particular research, carbonated water had been compared to tap water because of its effect on dyspepsia, constipation, and standard digestive function. Twenty-one people with indigestion as well as constipation were randomly designated to drink a minimum of 1. 5 liters every day of either carbonated or plain tap water for at least 15 days or until the end of the 30-day test. At the beginning and also the end of the trial all of the individuals received indigestion and constipation questionnaires and also testing to gauge stomach fullness after eating, gastric emptying (movement of food out of the stomach), gallbladder emptying, as well as intestinal tract transit time (the time with regard to ingested ingredients to travel from mouth area to anus).

Scores about the dyspepsia as well as constipation questionnaires ended up considerably better for all those treated with carbonated water as compared to people who drank tap water. 8 of the 10 people in the carbonated water team experienced noticeable improvement in dyspepsia scores at the end of the test, 2 experienced no change and one worsened. In comparison, 7 of eleven individuals within the plain tap water team had deteriorating of dyspepsia scores, and only 4 experienced betterment. Constipation ratings improved for 8 people and also worsened for 2 following carbonated water treatment, whilst ratings for five individuals improved and also six worsened within the plain tap water group. Further evaluation uncovered that carbonated water particularly reduced early stomach fullness as well as increased gallbladder emptying, whilst plain tap water did not.

Carbonated water has been used for centuries to treat digestive system complaints, yet virtually no research exists to support its usefulness. The carbonated water utilized in this particular test not merely had significantly more carbon dioxide compared to does tap water, but also had been found to possess higher levels of minerals such as sodium, potassium, sulfate, fluoride, chloride, magnesium, and also calcium. Various other scientific studies have shown that both bubbles associated with carbon dioxide and also the existence of higher amounts of minerals can certainly stimulate digestive function. Further research is required to determine whether this mineral-rich carbonated water could be more efficient at relieving dyspepsia than would carbonated tap water.