You’re looking for something to quench your thirst but know that soda, whether regular or diet, is not a smart solution. Not only do these beverages contain sugar or artificial sweeteners, but they’re also loaded with acids that can erode your teeth and bones. Clearly not an ideal choice.

So you turn to sparkling water. You know that water is good for you, so surely sparkling water must be a wiser choice?

Not so fast.

Here are some things to consider.

Check Those Stats

First, don’t be fooled by the term "water." Many of these sparkling water beverages contain just as much sugar or artificial sweeteners as soda does. If it’s a flavored sparkling water and is not flavored with natural sources of lime or lemon, chances are, you are not getting a very natural beverage choice.

Have a good look at both the nutritional panel as well as the ingredient listing to find out what you are really putting into your body.

Consider The Consequences Of Carbonated Beverages

Next, also think about the consequences of consuming carbonated beverages. Sure, they may quench your thirst exceptionally well, but with that, they’re also known to cause bloating as well as to make you gassy.

Is that worth the taste? For some, it’s simply not. If you’re trying to get leaner, the bloat that comes from these types of drinks can offset your results in a sense, making it seem as though you’re gaining weight.

Additionally, if they do contain acids, they could still have detrimental effects on your bones just like regular soda does as well.

Look out for Artificial Colors

Finally, take a good look at the color of this sparkling water. Is it slightly red colored? Or orange? If you’re purchasing a fruit flavored sparkling water, there’s a good chance it is. How do you think it got this way?

The answer is through artificial coloring. Usually, food dyes are used in these beverages, which will then be passed onto your body.

Again, this is not a natural thing to be consuming and if you drink enough of it over time, could build up in your body and potentially lead to toxic related side effects.

So as you search the beverage aisle for something to drink, keep these points in mind. There are some sparkling water beverages that can be a not bad choice, you just have to know how to find them. And, if you simply must have a carbonated "fizzy" drink, consider getting plain club soda, which is typically calorie and sugar-free and simply squeeze some fresh lime or lemon into it. With this one, as an added bonus, you’ll also get in some vitamin C from that lemon or lime juice.

Staying hydrated is critical to health but you must do so using smart beverage choices.

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