A study published in BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health suggests that sparkling water may support weight loss by enhancing glucose uptake and metabolism in red blood cells. Conducted by physician researcher Dr. Akira Takahashi from the Tesseikai Neurosurgical Hospital in Japan, the findings indicate that although the effects on blood sugar are small, sparkling water could indirectly promote weight loss.
Dr. Takahashi explored how the carbon dioxide (CO₂) in sparkling water interacts with blood cells. Inside red blood cells, CO₂ is converted into bicarbonate (HCO₃), which makes the microenvironment of the cells more alkaline. “The alkalinization process initiated by bicarbonate conversion modifies the microenvironment of red blood cells, promoting glycolysis and enhancing glucose uptake,” explained Dr….