Soda water and seltzer water are both types of carbonated beverages. While these drinks are under one class, they have a minute difference in flavor and usage.
Is Soda Water The Same As Seltzer Water?
There are two ways to go about answering this question. All carbonated water can be called soda water because they are all technically usable for creating soft drinks, water with an infusion of carbon dioxide and sugar. However, there is no confusion; seltzer water is of German origin and does not have additional minerals, unlike club soda. The soda water sold in the United States may sometimes have natural or artificial flavorings. In contrast, the original German seltzer water is often sold because of its true water taste plus the spritz of carbonation that gives it a natural ‘bite’ when you drink it.
However, in recent years, seltzer manufacturers in the United States and abroad have begun developing seltzers to become de facto alternatives to soda. They need to add flavor to the seltzer and make it a flavored hard seltzer. Seltzers are marketed in the English-speaking world as both “hard seltzers” and “sparkling waters.” Some top brands of seltzers globally and in the US include La Croix, Waterloo, Schweppes, Polar, Perrier, Adirondack, Bubly, Deer, Simply, and Spindrift. The distinction between the two is fast fading, with flavorings on the side of sparkling water.
Which Is Healthier?
Not all soda water is sourced from natural springs, so if you are after nutrients from either seltzer or soda water, we recommended buying a brand that uses natural springs. It’s not the type of drink that will determine the beverage’s healthiness, but the type of water that the manufacturer chooses to use. The main minerals found in spring water are potassium, magnesium, sodium, and calcium. These are naturally-occurring minerals that provide some level of sustenance to the body. For sure, they shouldn’t be used as the main source of essential nutrients, but they’re useful for somehow boosting your mineral intake for the day, all the same.
Since there are no laws about what should be added to sparkling water, be sure to check the label. The label should show if they are using preservatives and additional minerals or acids that you might not want to consume in the first place.
Some carbonic acid will be present in all sparkling water because it’s just how carbon dioxide and water interact once the gaseous state of CO2 is injected into the water. The natural formation of carbonic acid gives the first level of tartness or bite to the beverage. Unless you have a terrible allergy to acidic beverages, this shouldn’t pose a problem. However, suppose you have some malabsorption issues with artificial sweeteners. In that case, this may be problematic in the long term, as some soda waters or seltzers are bound to have sugar alcohols added as non-sugar sweeteners.
