Water is water, right? Seltzer is literally just water with carbon dioxide forced into it under pressure. That’s it. No secret anti-hydration agent hiding in the bubbles.
Your body isn’t picky. It doesn’t check the ID of the H2O molecules. Whether the water is flat, fizzy, or served by a tiny umbrella-wielding monkey, your intestines absorb it the same way.
So, chemically speaking? It’s a perfect match. One glass of seltzer equals one glass of tap water in the hydration department. Period.
But Wait… What About the Fizz?
Ah, the bubbles. The drama. Some people worry that carbonation somehow steals hydration. Like, the fizz punches the water molecules and makes them run away. I get it. It feels too fun to be healthy.
Here’s the truth: that carbonation is just gas. Carbon dioxide. Your body burps it out or absorbs it. It doesn’t latch onto your water and drag it into a dehydration pit. That’s not a thing.
The only real downside? Fullness. Those bubbles can make you feel bloated. You might not drink as much seltzer as you would flat water simply because your stomach yells, “Whoa, buddy, I’m a balloon!”
